William Shakespeare

The History of William Shakespeare Jr. Co.

William Shakespeare Co – William Shakespeare Jr is the name of the founder of the fishing company in the USA, Michigan.

In 1897, Shakespeare Jr. managed to establish his company – The William Shakespeare Jr Company. Business started slowly, with a small staff and production volume, but a significant uplift occurred by the early 1920s.

During World War II, the firm reorganized its manufacturing operations, and all production efforts were concentrated on aiding the war effort. Shakespeare's factories began producing components and spare parts for tanks and aircraft. After the war ended, the company returned to civilian life, and in 1947, the first examples of Wonderod fiberglass fishing rods were released, and the production of monofilament line also began. The appearance of these rods sparked a real revolution at the time, resulting in all outdated wooden and steel rods being relegated to the dustbin of history.

In the mid-1970s, the Shakespeare firm released the Ugly Stik rod, which was a true idol in the fishing industry for a long time. It featured a unique action and a special, patented composite of fiberglass and carbon. For the next couple of decades, the Ugly Stik rod was a household name associated with incredible reliability among a multitude of anglers.

Shakespeare Tackle Company is a legendary American brand, founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The company is known for making quality fishing gear accessible to the mass market and for pioneering the manufacture of many modern tackle items.

Starting with the design and production of innovative fishing reels (especially baitcasting reels), the company quickly expanded its product range.

The Wondereel (1939): A revolutionary reel that simplified baitcasting, reducing the likelihood of line tangles (backlash).

The Wonderod (1947): The first commercially successful fiberglass rod, which replaced traditional bamboo and steel rods. This made rods stronger, lighter, and more affordable.

Electronic Control Systems (1950s): The company also experimented with electronic technologies, including fish finders.

Although Shakespeare is better known for rods and reels, it also manufactured and sold a large volume of lures, and acquired historical lure makers like Paw Paw Bait Company and Pflueger in the 1970s.

Notable Shakespeare Lures: The Wexford series, as well as numerous wooden and plastic crankbaits, spinners, and spoons.

Shakespeare remained a family-owned business until the 1970s.

Today, Shakespeare is part of Pure Fishing (one of the world's largest fishing tackle conglomerates, which also includes Abu Garcia, Berkley, and Penn). The brand continues to be marketed under the Shakespeare name, focusing on affordable, reliable rod and reel combos, ideal for beginner anglers