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The Daily Insight

What does Zebco stand for

Author

Ava Hall

Published Apr 14, 2026

Company officials say they take pride that Zebco–which stands for Zero Hour Bomb Co. –has become an American tradition. As part of that tradition, workers have placed miniature American flags along the assembly lines.

How did Zebco get its name?

The regional marketing name – Zebco – became popular, but the bottom of each reel’s foot was stamped with the the name of the manufacturer, Zero Hour Bomb Company. The official name change to Zebco came in 1956, soon after a friend of President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked the company to send a reel to the president.

What company owns Zebco?

Zebco is owned by W.C. Bradley Company and is the current holder of such brands as Quantum, Badlands, and Cajun Line. Zebco Brands also owns Zebco Sports Europe, which was reacquired by the company in 2011.

Who invented the Zebco reel?

Founded at Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1949, Zebco is a major manufacturer of fishing equipment. It began with the invention of backlash-free fishing reel by a Rotan, Texas, watchmaker and itinerant inventor named Jasper R.Dell Hull, who was better known as R. D. Hull.

Is Zebco any good?

Zebco is the undisputed market leader in the spincast reel category, and has been for many decades. … And while they also make other reel types, spincast reels are by far their most popular models. So, If you’re currently looking for a new spincast reel, then a Zebco is definitely a good choice.

Where is Zebco located?

Company Description: Zebco Sales Company LLC is located in Tulsa, OK, United States and is part of the Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industry.

How many Zebco 33 reels have been sold?

With more than 40 million Zebco 33’s sold since the first one left the factory in 1954, this excellent spincasting reel is still a best choice for the beginning fisherman.

What was the original Zebco reel?

The first reel Zebco produced was known as the “Standard” made in 1949, for four to six months. Some years later the “Standard” became the model 33. I’ve seen photos of the “Standard”, it looks like the 11 and 22.

Where are Zebco reels made?

The company found that it could commission Chinese factories to produce and deliver reels to the United States for one-third less than it could make them at home, company officials said. Zebco decided to make most of its low-end reels at factories in China.

Does Zebco own Shakespeare?

– Zebco W.C. Bradley, best known as a rod and reel company, has acquired four brands of fishing line from Shakespeare Co. LLC, Zebco said in a release yesterday upon completion of the transaction.

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Are Quantum reels made by Zebco?

Rather Outdoors, the parent company of Lew’s and Strike King, announced that it has acquired Zebco, the Tulsa, Okla. -based manufacturer of rods, reels and accessories. The deal also includes Quantum, a Zebco subsidiary.

Is Quantum part of Zebco?

Zebco Europe distributes the namesake Zebco brand, but also has a strong share of Europe’s predator fishing with Quantum, which originally launched in the United States in 1984, and is well-established in the lexicon of American and European angling.

Is Zebco going out of business?

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What is bite alert on Zebco 33?

What is the Bite Alert™ feature and how is it used? The Bite Alert™ feature allows you to set the reel to emit a loud clicking sound when a fish takes your bait (handy when you’re away from your reel or when it’s sitting in a rod holder). Just flip the switch to turn it on or off.

Can you use a Zebco 33 for catfish?

With our famous easy-casting Zebco 33 triggerspin paired with a durable Z-glass rod that’s perfect for going after panfish, catfish, and bass at your favorite spot. … rod.

Why is it called Zebco 33?

The company (whose name was shortened to Zebco in 1956 after a package sent to President Eisenhower raised security concerns at the White House) originally made products used for oil exploration. Hull came along at the right time, though, as the company was looking for alternative products to market.

When did Brunswick buy Zebco?

June 29, 2001 – Each spring finds anglers and soon-to-be anglers searching for a fishing reel. Many of them buy a reel from Zebco, one of the countries best known companies in fishing. This year someone bought the entire company.

Where is Zebco Omega made?

Only manufacturing of the Zebco 33 reel remains in Tulsa. Union spokesman Rick Mullings said that’s because Zebco has an investment in a $1 million robot that can’t do as good a job assembling the reels as the women could by hand. The 90 remaining employees work with the robot, Mullings said.

When was the Zebco 77 made?

The Model 77 Jr. was a reel built into the handle of the rod for a one piece combo. It came out in 1959, sold initially for $7.95, and was a success.

When was the first spincast reel invented?

Spincast reel The first commercial spincast reels were introduced by the Denison-Johnson Reel Company and the Zero Hour Bomb Company (ZEBCO) in 1949.

What year was the Zebco 404 made?

Vintage 1989 Zebco 404 Spin Cast Reel Made in USA 15 LB Line NOS.

Who invented the spinning reel?

… 1905, when English textile magnate Holden Illingworth filed the first patent on the fixed-spool, or spinning, reel. In this kind of reel, the spool permanently faces toward the tip of the rod, and the line peels off during the cast. The increased casting distance afforded by the spinning reel—and facilitated…

Who invented the spincast reel?

Fixed-spool or spinning reels were first invented and used in Europe in the 1930s. After World War II, a wealthy American sportsman named Bache Brown went to France, where he helped develop a small spinning reel that he named after himself and brought to the United States to market.

Are there any fishing reels made in the USA?

Fishing reels made in USA are almost always top quality, and although many of them are fly reels, even those who prefer baitcasting or spinning can find something that they will like. USA made reels are: IRT, Penn, Seigler, Abel, Accurate, Teton, Hatch, Avet, Ross, Galvan, Lamson, and Aspen.

What company makes Quantum reels?

Quantum fishing is part of the Zebco family of products and has become known for both their spinning and baitcasting lines of reels. The company first went into business in 1984 and has been producing quality reels ever since.

Does Zebco make a baitcaster?

BrandZebcoItem Weight0.08 Pounds

Are Zebco reels made in the USA?

No, Zebco reels and rods are no longer made in the USA. Zebco moved manufacturing around 2001 from their Tulsa, OK headquarters to China.

Who is the CEO of Zebco?

“There are a lot of older generations of fishers who look a lot like me,” said Zebco CEO and President Jeff Pontius.

Can you use braided line on a Zebco bullet?

Braid can be used on the Zebco Bullet spincast provided a few wraps of mono backing are used first to prevent slippage. She recommended that the braid pound test be the same size diameter as the preloaded 10 pound mono…. so around 20-30 # braid.

What pound test line comes on a Zebco 33?

According to a manufacturer’s recommendation, it comes with the 10 lb mono. With such line, you should use light lures. If you fill the spool with heavier lines, you will have to sacrifice the length of the line and with such a small reel, catching larger fish still won’t be possible.