Est. 1949
Heritage & History
Zebco was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1949 when R.D. Hull invented the first push-button spincast reel. The design solved a fundamental problem for beginning anglers: the backlash and line tangles that made conventional baitcast reels frustrating for anyone learning to cast. The enclosed face with a push-button line release made casting as simple as pushing a button and releasing — a mechanism so effective that it remains essentially unchanged today.
The Zebco 33, introduced in 1954, became the best-selling fishing reel in American history. Generations of American children learned to fish holding a Zebco 33 combo, and the reel's reliability became a cultural touchstone for American outdoor recreation. Zebco maintains its Tulsa manufacturing and assembly operations, continuing to produce the spincast reels that have defined beginner and casual fishing for three-quarters of a century.
Made in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Zebco assembles its flagship spincast reels in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Zebco 33, Omega Pro, and Bullet series are built at the Tulsa facility using precision-machined gearing and proprietary anti-reverse systems. The multi-disc drag system in the 33 series uses stacked discs that provide smooth resistance without the chatter of single-disc designs — a detail that matters when fighting a fish that makes multiple runs.
The Tulsa operation has refined the spincast reel design through dozens of incremental improvements over 70 years while maintaining the core mechanism that made the original design successful. Oklahoma manufacturing means that service and parts availability for Zebco reels is better supported domestically than overseas-only brands.
What Sets Them Apart
Zebco occupies a unique position in American fishing: it is simultaneously the entry-level brand for first-time anglers and a trusted workhorse for experienced fishermen who prefer the simplicity and reliability of spincast mechanics over the complexity of spinning or baitcast reels. The push-button design requires no skill to operate and almost no maintenance to keep functioning — a combination that makes it ideal for casual anglers, children, and anyone who fishes infrequently.
For buyers introducing a child to fishing, a Zebco combo is the practical choice. For experienced anglers who fish in weedy or snaggy conditions where the enclosed face prevents line from catching on vegetation, the Omega Pro or Bullet represents a legitimate tackle choice rather than a compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zebco made in the USA?
Yes. Zebco manufactures 4 verified products in Tulsa, OK. Zebco has been the defining name in American spincast fishing reels since inventing the category in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1949, and remains the reel that introduces more Americans to fishing than any other brand.
Where is Zebco manufactured?
Zebco is headquartered in Tulsa, OK. Manufacturing takes place in Tulsa, OK.
What Zebco products can I buy?
We carry 4 verified Zebco products across Sports & Outdoors. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was Zebco founded?
Zebco was founded in 1949. Zebco has been the defining name in American spincast fishing reels since inventing the category in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1949, and remains the reel that introduces more Americans to fishing than any other brand.