Do You Know Where This Stuff Is Actually Built?

[roadwarrior]

So many rumors about who makes what. For example are BPS reels built by Quantum,

Pflueger or just the low bid? Are Lews just another version of Abu Garcia built in the same 

facility? Here is a list of names that I am curious about:

 

Shimano

Pinnacle

Abu Garcia

Lews

Pflueger

BPS

Cabela's

Quantum

Diawa

Penn

Zebco

 

Please add other brands if you know who builds them and/or where they are made.

[flyfisher]

I too am interested i this type of information.  I just hope anyone who has information isn't just what they heard but has some sort of concrete source for the data.

[Darren.]

I too am interested i this type of information.  I just hope anyone who has information isn't just what they heard but has some sort of concrete source for the data.

 

x2. We're not talking country of origin, right RW?

[aavery2]

There are several mfg's of fishing reels and fishing related products in Korea, two of the bigger Korean companies that produce reels for Browning, BPS and a few others that you will be familiar with are Doyo and Dawon.   Do a search on the forums here and you will find that same information and links to the company websites where you will see actual pictures of Browning and BPS reels.

[Sam]

Fantastic post! I am sure many of us are thinking of this in the past but have no way of finding out.

 

First, are the components made in the USA and shipped overseas to have the reels constructed as per the manufacturer's specifications?

 

Or second, do the components come from the foreign countries and the entire reel is constructed overseas?

 

I do not have a problem with any foreign country other than Viet Nam as I still refuse to purchase anything from that country.

 

Hope we can get some clarification on what is made where.

 

I do know that major league baseballs are made in the Dominican Republic. Or is it Haiti?????

[Fishwhittler]

Abu's low-profile reels, Lew's reels, Pflueger baitcasters, and the BPS Pro Qualifier and Johnny Morris Signature Series baitcasters are all made by Doyo in Korea. Abu Garcia's round reels from the C3 on up are still made in Sweden.

Shimano makes most of their upper-end reels in Japan, though they also have their own factory in Malaysia to build their lower-cost reels from the Curado G on down. I believe the Malaysian factory is owned by Shimano, not just a contractor. Could be wrong.

Silstar Corporation owns Pinnacle, and also produces reels for Ardent Evercast, W&M, and Halo. Production is based in China, if you check the bottom of the reel foot.

Daiwa is similar to Shimano in that most or all of their high-end reels are made in Japan, but some of their cheaper reels are built at Daiwa-owned factories in other countries. I believe Daiwa uses South Korea and Taiwan as the bases for those other factories.

Not sure on the other companies listed. Zebco owns Quantum, for whatever that's worth, so they're probably built in the same country. Cabelas doesn't use just one manufacturer. They've got some Daiwa reels, some Okuma, and a few that I think are Quantum. BPS also uses multiple companies, mainly Quantum and Doyo. Though, I think the Johnny Morris Carbonlite is actually built by another company, Dawon. Not sure on country of origin, probably Korea or Taiwan.

[aavery2]

Dawon is a South Korea based company

[roadwarrior]

Abu's low-profile reels, Lew's reels, Pflueger baitcasters, and the BPS Pro Qualifier and Johnny Morris Signature Series baitcasters are all made by Doyo in Korea. Abu Garcia's round reels from the C3 on up are still made in Sweden.

Shimano makes most of their upper-end reels in Japan, though they also have their own factory in Malaysia to build their lower-cost reels from the Curado G on down. I believe the Malaysian factory is owned by Shimano, not just a contractor. Could be wrong.

Silstar Corporation owns Pinnacle, and also produces reels for Ardent Evercast, W&M, and Halo. Production is based in China, if you check the bottom of the reel foot.

Daiwa is similar to Shimano in that most or all of their high-end reels are made in Japan, but some of their cheaper reels are built at Daiwa-owned factories in other countries. I believe Daiwa uses South Korea and Taiwan as the bases for those other factories.

Not sure on the other companies listed. Zebco owns Quantum, for whatever that's worth, so they're probably built in the same country. Cabelas doesn't use just one manufacturer. They've got some Daiwa reels, some Okuma, and a few that I think are Quantum. BPS also uses multiple companies, mainly Quantum and Doyo. Though, I think the Johnny Morris Carbonlite is actually built by another company, Dawon. Not sure on country of origin, probably Korea or Taiwan.

 

Thank you!

 

Just what I was looking for.

[bflp3]

So are the designs created by Doyo and sold to these other companies? I was very surprised when I found a post with pictures of a Lews tournament pro being taken apart, and the design was identical to the pro qualifier, but you could see some parts were different material(like the drag washers).

Is it just a licensed design built to specification?

[aavery2]

If you can raise the money to order a min of 500 pcs you can have Doyo or Dawon build a reel for you using their components.

[Fishwhittler]

So are the designs created by Doyo and sold to these other companies? I was very surprised when I found a post with pictures of a Lews tournament pro being taken apart, and the design was identical to the pro qualifier, but you could see some parts were different material(like the drag washers).

Is it just a licensed design built to specification?

 

You could take the clutch out of any of those reels and swap it into another one, and it'd fit perfectly.  The gears might be a different size, different materials are used for drag washers, handles, spools and braking systems are slightly different, and of course the reel profile varies, but all of the reels are built by Doyo to another company's specs.

 

I prefer to see companies like Lew's and Pflueger as importers.

[rippin-lips]

This is exactly what makes me wanna try one of those $30 china made baitcasters you see all over eBay. I'm willing to bet it's darn near the same inside and might perform just as well. If it doesn't then I'm not out anything really.

[roadwarrior]

Yeah, if you already have what you need and thirty bucks is no big deal, that's fine.

However, if you are young man looking for equipment to fish with for awhile, I think

these Chinese deals are terrible.

[TiNuts]

I'm pretty sure those china deals are largely the same reels we pay hundreds for. They may be leftover parts left from an order, but they're the same parts.

We pay for shipping to US, advertising and marketing, trade shows, CEO perks, employee salaries, and the ever increasing shareholder return. The retailers also need to make a profit from selling these reels.

I do know the employee purchase program for a large fishing company is 70% off retail, and in sure they still make a profit from that, if that gives you any idea what kind of markup there is.

So if you take $150 reel, with 70% off its $45. Profit still made. It probably cost the fishing co $20 to make this reel. It probably cost the factory in china, Korea, wherever, a handful of dollars to make the reel.

Markups are usually determined with percentages, therefore the higher the reel's retail, also the higher the markup.

[rippin-lips]

Yeah, if you already have what you need and thirty bucks is no big deal, that's fine.

However, if you are young man looking for equipment to fish with for awhile, I think

these Chinese deals are terrible.

That's what I'm getting at though. How do we know if someone doesn't tear into one. It could be 99% identical to say a revo and we have no idea because we are stuck on brand names. Example the academy h20 mettle. Apparently it's quite the reel for $50 or whatever the price is. It could be that reel in a different color or just have different grips on it.

[Fishwhittler]

That's what I'm getting at though. How do we know if someone doesn't tear into one. It could be 99% identical to say a revo and we have no idea because we are stuck on brand names. Example the academy h20 mettle. Apparently it's quite the reel for $50 or whatever the price is. It could be that reel in a different color or just have different grips on it.

The Mettle is built by Daiwa. It uses the same clutch as the Lexa 100, with a slightly different frame.

A lot of the el-cheapo reels on eBay have graphite frames. That's what I'd avoid, first and foremost. As far as I'm concerned, graphite simply isn't a suitable material for a baitcast reel frame.

[Hooligan]

Shimano- Built in proprietary factories and production lines wholly owned by Shimano one facility in Malaysia and one in Japan

Pinnacle- Owned by Silstar, built by Dawon, Doyo, Kaito, or one of a couple other Chinese Manufacturers

Abu Garcia- Pure Fishing can be built by Dawon, Doyo, or Kaito on the upper end reels.  Lower and mid range reels are generally of "farmed" Chinese origin; IE: They can be built at any one of the Chinese factories in lots, there is no guarantee which factory they are coming from, generally.

Lews- Generally built by Doyo and Dawon, with lower end reels being made at either Korean, Sri Lankan, or Chinese facilities.

Pflueger Pure Fishing can be built by Dawon, Doyo, or Kaito on the upper end reels.  Lower and mid range reels are generally of "farmed" Chinese origin; IE: They can be built at any one of the Chinese factories in lots, there is no guarantee which factory they are coming from, generally.

BPS- BPS Reels are built much the same as Pure Fishing, and Lews- The caveat being that they are the owners of the tooling.  In other cases, the bid goes to the mfr to include tooling.

Cabela's- Can be made in any number of facilities, from Daiwa's own to Dawon and Doyo.  As well, they can be of Chinese origin.

Quantum- Mostly made in Chinese facility that shares manufacture of Zebco reels as well.  Some are made in a Korean facility, it is unclear of whose facility it actually is.  Some say that it is wholly owned by quantum, while Zebco/Quantum deny that is the case.

Diawa Have facilities for OEM mfr in both Japan and Korea.  A small Malay facility as well.

Penn- See Pure Fishing- Some Penn Reels are still made in the USA, some are made in China and Korea

Zebco- see Quantum

 

Rods- generally are made in any number of facilities in China or Korea.  With few exceptions on the higher end rods.

 

 

How do you know the parts aren't the same?  99.8% of the Chinese reels will be similar, however, the parts will be stamped rather than machined, lower quality metals are used, and lower quality components.  Quantum is notorious for this, as is Pure Fishing.

[Jaheff]

What about Okuma? I've heard they only make their own, and parts for others?

[Raul]

Shimano makes Shimano

 

Daiwa makes Daiwa and Daiwa has made reels for Cabela´s and BPS

 

The rest ?  well, I don´t know because I only purchase reels from those 2

[webertime]

What about Okuma? I've heard they only make their own, and parts for others?

Tica (China) makes/owns Okuma.

[SirSnookalot]

 As far as I'm concerned, graphite simply isn't a suitable material for a baitcast reel frame.

Shimano's TLD is graphite and has been a very well respected reel, especially with charter captains. Certainly not their top end but built like Sherman tank.

 

Avet reels made in California.

[Hooligan]

Shimano's TLD is graphite and has been a very well respected reel, especially with charter captains. Certainly not their top end but built like Sherman tank.

 

Avet reels made in California.

Most mid-upper end salt reels are a completely different ball game.  In almost all cases, the company that has their name on the reel is the manufacturer of said reel.  Avet, Daiwa, Shimano, Penn, Fin-Nor, Okuma.  Granted there are some exceptions to that rule, but very few.

[WRB]

A limited number of Abu Garcia fresh water reels are made in Sweden, a few are assembled there, the production reels are manufactured in China.

It's getting difficult to find any reels made in the America! Both Avet and Accurate are off shore salt water reels made in California, not sure about Penn?

Tom

[Jaheff]

Penn is under 100 (or could be 120 dollars msrp now), made in China. Pure fishing.

 

I Love my Avets, quality at a great price!

Release reels in Virginia is another reel talked about at a good price.

[primetime]

This is a very easy topic, and I would not hesitate to purchase any lure or reel directly from china, and instead of going to the oem direct, do your research....Pure fishing owns almost every brand for fishing reels and lures, and they are part of a publicaly traded company named Jarden, which has to disclose all info to the public including...oem's who build product, profit statements, where shipments are sent and when they clear customs...all that info can be found online by digging a bit, and most of it is already done for you, as people have figured this out...Ever go to Gander mountain and look at the GSX baitcaster and then hold up the Quantum Kinetic.....Gander used to be made by Pinnacle, then pfueger and now it's blatent Quantum...If looking for lures, especially the Japanese lures made in china.....that we pay $20 for....Just find the yahoo site that does more business per year than ebay, and type in Savage 4 play fighter, Segmented Swimbait, S curver swimbait, lake Police, Water Bomber....that will take you to the OEM who makes all bass pro lures, storm, live target, Spro, Savage which is Okuma, and some of Sebiles lures as well.....You can also type in glitter filled Vibe.....and bam....only 10 min on retail site, if you want a batch of soft baits made or custom colors of a lucky or something, then find a trading company carrying the lure, and if they offer a "suit" for any brand...don't trust that one....Reel legit lures and reels at great discount only come from honest sellers, not the ones selling Papala or Duel, or Power pur.....They drop hints, colors will be the same as the "custom painted Japanese Lures" on ebay, as patents don't hold weight, but if you order a Japanese lure like the Ima flirt, they will not put Owner hooks, but instead send VMC to usa, and lure will be tagged under either china oem stamp, no stamp, but usually the stamp where lure is sold in Europe or Australia....I have gotten fakes, but I don't mind good quality fakes, I love Academy H20 Express Cranks, and just like soft baits in america which are mostly made in Georgia and Alabama.....only 3-4 oem's make 90% of Pradco, japanese Lures, and all the brands you want....as far as reels, you get what you pay for, so don't expect an Okuma Helios for $50....You can get them super cheap if willing to go to wholesale side and purchase 500 moq of one size of reel....SOme of those baitcasters that are 11 ball bearings for 39 or 29 on ebay are only 15-20 ea on retail china site, and if a real is a tica, or other reputable OEM's which make the reels for Abu,Pfueger, Okuma etc..The reels on that oem's site or china brand or ausi brand can be found from trading company and my guess is they are real deal,only missed quality control for scratches, small blemishes, or simple over stocks as they give 3 year warranties and honor them if you send them back...My buddy sells many at flea markets and it's hit or miss, but you can get awesome looking reels everyone will try when they pass by your booth and know fishing....

Hope that helps, be careful with braid, spectra and dyneema are owned by honeywell and two japanese companies and those patents are honored, however many braids in the usa do not have dyneema or spectra on package and guys love them and they are sold in all major catologs..I believe it is simply dacron, or just a variation of dyneema sk-65 or sk-71 as I know they can change formula just a little bit and it is just as strong as dyneema and with all the techonology we have given the asian manufactures, they can copy and often do it better on their own, plus do you really think Pinnacle has strong quality control??? or Okuma is watching over the Savage line of lures, or is it a coincedence every suspending jerkbait looks like the megabass ito 110? Lucky strike, academy, cabelas has the raad swimmer which is similar to storm, live target and sebile magic swimmer and I know for a fact all are made in same place. I have done well with swiimbaits, and frogs, topwaters etc. over the years, it is just tough to sell them, so I just order 10 and give a few to friends at cost and if I lose a $30 lure, I only paid maybe $5-$8....Otherwise I can't afford those lures, and since it is global market, you would be foolish to not take advantage of it and if you ever go to Icast, you can get reps to tell you all the secrets and subtle differences between lures, as their are differrences in internals....Never buy any lures on ebay in custom paint, especially without a box.....I still go to tackle warehouse for a few of the lures I cant live without or chance having even a lure with a slight imperfection....Sammy, Flatt Shads, Magic Swimmers, Little John, Stacey, and boil trigger, and gyron, but the gyrons from China are super nice and have same action, weight, better color.....you will find if you look, and willing to stay up late as I am tonight to instant message a company you build a relationship with, and trading companies will get you anything you want and be honest with you.....If 200 is moq for a lure you love and want to save big bucks, ask for an assortment of 200 pieces and get some friends to chip in and create a custom color fish have never seen.......same with custom pvc hand pours like Skinny Bear, Cover Craws, Spindle, Jackall and all overpriced japanese cheap softbaits that float and we love.