Shakespeare fishing gear

Shakespeare is one of the most storied names in the American fishing industry, founded in 1897 by William Shakespeare Jr. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The brand became famous for inventing the level-wind reel, a revolutionary design that prevented line tangling by automatically guiding the line onto the spool. In the mid-20th century, the company further established its legacy by developing the first fiberglass fishing rods and the iconic 'Ugly Stik' series, known for its extreme durability.

While the brand was originally a family-owned independent manufacturer in Michigan, its corporate history has seen several high-profile transitions. In 1970, Shakespeare moved its headquarters to Columbia, South Carolina. Following acquisitions by Anthony Industries (later K2 Inc.) and subsequent mergers, it became part of Pure Fishing. Today, Shakespeare is a key brand within the Pure Fishing portfolio, which is owned by the private equity firm Sycamore Partners. While the brand maintains a strong American identity and design presence in South Carolina, its mass-market manufacturing is now distributed globally, with production primarily occurring in facilities across Asia (notably China) to support its international supply chain.