Berkley
Berkley was founded in 1937 in Spirit Lake, Iowa, USA, by the young Berkley Bedell at the age of 16, who started the business selling his own hand-tied fishing flies.
The major breakthrough came after World War II when Berkley shifted its focus to fishing line:
Trilene (1950s): The successful introduction of this nylon monofilament line set a new standard for strength and reliability, quickly becoming one of the most popular lines worldwide.
FireLine (1990s): Berkley was at the forefront of superline development, introducing FireLine—a thermally fused microfilament that offered anglers extreme sensitivity and durability.
In the late 20th century, Berkley applied a scientific approach to lure creation, introducing the concept of "taste and scent" into soft baits, fundamentally changing the market:
PowerBait (1990s): This is a synthetic soft plastic infused with powerful attractants (scents and flavors). The philosophy was that a fish, upon striking the bait, would hold onto it longer, giving the angler more time to set the hook. PowerBait became immensely successful.
Gulp! (2000s): This was the next major step—biodegradable, water-based baits that, according to the company, disperse scent in the water up to 400 times faster than conventional plastic. Gulp! is often used as a direct replacement for live bait, especially in saltwater fishing.
Today, Berkley is a global leader and part of the large Pure Fishing portfolio. The company maintains its reputation as a brand that combines scientific research, technology, and practical angling experience.
