BigBendFishing.Net

Mo Redd wrote:From what I heard Pure Fishing has bought most of the rod and reel manufacturers and most of their
production is in China. Zebco was one of the first to go, and Penn is another one wholly owned. They haven't gobbled up Shimano yet, but it would be smart to find out where the reel is made. I've heard (I don't know it for a fact) that Penn reels aren't made in the USA any more and don't have the same build quality as their older reels had. I don't know if this has been discussed before. If so, maybe I'm wrong here.

Actually, the 706z is made in the US, as are their more expensive reels (over $250 I think, but not sure) The 706/704 are made exactly the same as they were 30 years ago, the parts are interchangeable with the old reels if you need new parts.

If you check the FloridaSportsman classified section, Van Staals will pop up for sale periodically but they tend to go quick. For the hardcore surf fisherman Van Staals are a way of life. Google the definition of a "skisher/skishing" and it'll pull up a breed of fisherman who don buoyant wetsuits, swim into the pitch black (and rough) beaches of Virginia/New Jersey/Maryland pitching top water plugs in search of Striped Bass. They, almost exclusively, use Van Staals and/or ZeeBaas reels because of the drag systems and water impermeabilities. They also have REALLY big cajones to do something so crazy.

I've toyed with a few at Kevin's and they're pretty sweet machines if you can pony up the cash. I always dreamt of rummaging through my grandparents' attic to find a Van Staal sitting in a dusty old box. Wishful thinking, eh?

Mo Redd wrote:From what I heard Pure Fishing has bought most of the rod and reel manufacturers and most of their
production is in China. Zebco was one of the first to go, and Penn is another one wholly owned. They haven't gobbled up Shimano yet, but it would be smart to find out where the reel is made. I've heard (I don't know it for a fact) that Penn reels aren't made in the USA any more and don't have the same build quality as their older reels had. I don't know if this has been discussed before. If so, maybe I'm wrong here.

There is a combination of two companies in that post, "Tackle Services" (Zebco Brands), and Pure Fishing. Zebco acquired Quantum (which it already had a controlling interest in), Fin Nor, Martin, and Van Staal. Pure Fishing acquired Penn, Abu Garcia, Shakespear, Mitchell, Pflueger, Berkley, Stren, Spider Wire, Fenwick and All Star.
While Pure fishing is the parent company, the manufacturers are still their own entity and make their own decisions as to how and where the products are manufactured. Pure has taken over the marketing and support of those manufacturers.
Zebco manufactures, markets and supports all of their reels. Like Pure, Zebco markets and supports Van Staal but I believe that they do not manufacture them.
The decision to manufacture in China, Malaysia, USA, or anywhere else is up to that individual brand of reel. All of Zebco reels are made in China. Their manufacturing plant now does it all. Parts and sub-assemblies are all under one roof, where in years past parts were jobbed out and assembled by Zebco.

Interesting info.


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