I'm new and unfamiliar with a lot of brand names. I know there is a lot of top quality gear out there by many different manufacturers however being a veteran and coming from a family of small business owners I appreciate gear made in the USA and small businesses. Are there certain American companies for rods, reels, etc? 

 

Thanks for your time

Off the top of my head

Ardent, for reels

St croix, for rods

St.Croix rods with the exception of the Mojo and Triumph lines, Ardent reels, Powerteam Lures, Lazer Trokar hooks, Mega Strike, Norman crankbaits, Berkley fishing lines (except fluorocarbon where every brand is either made in Japan or Germany), Vicious fishing line (except fluorocarbon), they are out there just look at the packages.  As of right now if you buy tungsten worm weights they are all made in China.  Alot of Strike King stuff is made in Mexico

Manns, zoom, falcon,

Lake Fork Tackle, Stanford cedar baits, Northstar jigs, Siebert Jigs, Omega Jigs

I got my senko o-wacky tool or whatever yesterday. . It said made in USA on the back

Falcon rods

I wonder if it would be a good thing if the administrators of this forum were to set up a pinned thread for this subject.  There could be subject headings for each type of tackle, e.g., rods, reels, soft baits, etc. 

 

I think we all are glad to buy "Made In America", when possible.

Lamiglas rods.

Tuf-line is made in USA

While i totally appreciate and buy made in the USA if possible i am not going to sacrifice what i feel is quality just to buy gear with a made in USA stamp.

 

That being said i do support when possible with my st croix, Kistler and Sage rods which are all american made.

 

My big issue comes with reels as i have not found a good american made reel out there.  I figure even if i support a company and the product is not made in the USA i am still supporting the transportation, sales rep, retail store, support, distribution etc...all which reside in the US even if the manufacturing is elsewhere.

While i totally appreciate and buy made in the USA if possible i am not going to sacrifice what i feel is quality just to buy gear with a made in USA stamp.

 

That being said i do support when possible with my st croix, Kistler and Sage rods which are all american made.

 

My big issue comes with reels as i have not found a good american made reel out there.  I figure even if i support a company and the product is not made in the USA i am still supporting the transportation, sales rep, retail store, support, distribution etc...all which reside in the US even if the manufacturing is elsewhere.

Flyfisher,

Thanks for your thoughts. I didn't mean to imply that products not made in the USA is crap or that one should sacrifice just for the "made in the USA" label. I didn't mean for it to come off as an "us vs. them" mentality.  I only wanted to inquire as if I'm given a choice between two products where no opinion on either is present, they I would rather support the people here rather than people abroad. For example, I am reading that St. Croix rods are great and they're made here in the USA. So I would not be remiss in purchasing a St. Croix rod. I'm sure I'll find my gear rife with products from manufacturers from all over. But being new again in the sport I would like to support a person or a family over a corporation. It's just my opinion. 

Flyfisher,

Thanks for your thoughts. I didn't mean to imply that products not made in the USA is crap or that one should sacrifice just for the "made in the USA" label. I didn't mean for it to come off as an "us vs. them" mentality.  I only wanted to inquire as if I'm given a choice between two products where no opinion on either is present, they I would rather support the people here rather than people abroad. For example, I am reading that St. Croix rods are great and they're made here in the USA. So I would not be remiss in purchasing a St. Croix rod. I'm sure I'll find my gear rife with products from manufacturers from all over. But being new again in the sport I would like to support a person or a family over a corporation. It's just my opinion. 

I think we are on the same page actually and i wasn't trying to come across as disagreeing at all.  From a rod perspective there are no problems at all finding a good USA made stick but reels is where i have the problems really...

grimreaper rods

G Loomis Rods.......

Mustad Hooks

Rapsody Rods

Mustad hooks are made in China and the company is Norwegian. As far as hooks go Eagle claw is mostly made in the U.S. if not all including Trokar.

 

Lots of good USA made stuff on the tackle and rod side, not alot on the reel side, but most if not all reel companies have U.S. reps, distribution hubs, and so on and so forth, so you are still supporting American workers in some aspects.

Sorry about that, the hooks used to be made here in NY. I guess this location became a distribution center and now is closed completely.

Jeff, I believe Rhapsody Rods are now made in Mexico: http://rapsodyfishing.com/about/our-factory/

I guess I am really behind the times. A couple years ago I thought they told me they were sharing factory space here with St Croix. I wonder as they have gotten bigger they have moved down to the St. Croix factory in Mexico.

RageTail Soft Plastics made in USA  

While i totally appreciate and buy made in the USA if possible i am not going to sacrifice what i feel is quality just to buy gear with a made in USA stamp.

 

That being said i do support when possible with my st croix, Kistler and Sage rods which are all american made.

 

My big issue comes with reels as i have not found a good american made reel out there.  I figure even if i support a company and the product is not made in the USA i am still supporting the transportation, sales rep, retail store, support, distribution etc...all which reside in the US even if the manufacturing is elsewhere.

 

Kistler rods are NOT MADE IN AMERICA.  The only exception to this is their KLX rods which are only available through their website.  The resf of their rods are Made in China.

 

I will agree on the lack of USA made reels.  Ardent is the only one and I'm not a fan.  However,  I'm willing to buy a reel Made in Japan due to them being a major ally of ours.  I actually would not hesitate to buy something made elsewhere as long as it is not China.  The only chinese made products that I buy are tungsten sinkers because no one makes them in any other country which is a shame. 

Jeff, I believe Rhapsody Rods are now made in Mexico: http://rapsodyfishing.com/about/our-factory/

 

I just came back from my league meeting and they manufacturer their stuff in Mexico.  They said they buy 100% american but assemble it in Mexico to be exact.

Made in America may only mean assembled here, parts can come from any where.  Anyone ever remember seeing this: Made in USA..........no not our U.S.A but USA, Japan from imports back in the 50's.  It's all in the fine print.

Avet is American made