Berkley

Berkley is a prominent American fishing tackle brand that began in 1937 in Spirit Lake, Iowa, when 16-year-old Berkley Bedell used $50 from his paper route to start a business selling hand-tied flies. Operating from his upstairs bedroom, Bedell crafted flies using hair from the family dog and feathers from backyard chickens, founding the Berkley Fly Co. The company quickly grew, and by 1939 Bedell was employing local girls to make flies, silkworm gut, and cable wire leaders. From its earliest days, Berkley committed significant resources to research and development, a strategy that led to numerous product innovations including Berkley Trilene, the Lightning Rod, PowerBait, FireLine, and more recently Gulp! and Gulp! Alive. Today, Berkley offers a wide range of fishing gear including line, bait, tackle, and equipment. The brand's product categories span crankbaits, softbaits, hardbaits, worms, line, and saltwater gear. Key product families include Berkley Series, PowerBait, MaxScent, Gulp!, and Lab Series. The official website highlights innovations from Berkley Labs, such as the SlapGill, and features bestsellers like PowerBait MaxScent 'Moeba, Doom Stroller, PowerBait Saltwater Shrimperor, Unlock, Swamp Lord Terror Pack, Rawler Harness, and Swamp Lord Jr. Hollow Body Frog. Products are organized by species—bass, saltwater, trout, and walleye—catering to anglers with specialized needs. Berkley positions itself as a science-driven brand, with the tagline "Engineered in the Lab. Proven on the Water." and the phrase "Your Fish, Our Science." The brand emphasizes innovation that never rests, and its saltwater formula is described as perfected for saltwater predators, delivering proven durability and lifelike action. Berkley is also dedicated to conservation, with a longstanding commitment to fishing line recycling and a global initiative to expand its reach through the Berkley Conservation Institute. Berkley is part of Pure Fishing, a leading global fishing tackle company. While the brand originated in the United States, it operates in multiple markets including Canada and globally. The brand's website offers eGift cards and free shipping on orders over $25, with easy returns within 30 days. Berkley continues to launch new products, such as the Unlock crankbait, which features a hydrodynamic body, balanced weighting system, and Fusion19 hooks, designed to give anglers depth control and versatile action.

The Berkley story began in June 1937 in Spirit Lake, Iowa, when 16-year-old Berkley Bedell took $50 from his paper route earnings to start a business selling hand-tied flies to fishing tackle shops and vacationing anglers. Working from his upstairs bedroom, Bedell crafted flies using hair clipped from the family dog, Stubby, and feathers from backyard chickens to entice local bluegill and bass. The Berkley Fly Co. was founded. By the time Bedell graduated from high school in 1939, he was employing several area girls who made flies, silkworm gut, and cable wire leaders in their homes. The business soon outgrew his parents' basement and living room, expanding to the second floor of the local grocery store, where a tub filled with ice and a fan provided air conditioning. From the beginning, Berkley committed significant resources to research and development, a continuing strategy that resulted in countless product innovations. Among these are Berkley Trilene, the Lightning Rod, PowerBait, FireLine, and more recently Gulp! and Gulp! Alive. The brand also developed a longstanding commitment to fishing line recycling and is spearheading a global initiative to expand its reach through the Berkley Conservation Institute. Over the decades, Berkley grew into a leading fishing tackle brand, expanding its product lines to include lines, baits, rods, and accessories for both freshwater and saltwater anglers. The brand became part of Pure Fishing, a global fishing tackle company. Today, Berkley continues to innovate with products like the Unlock crankbait, which features a hydrodynamic body, balanced weighting system, and Fusion19 hooks, and new baits from Berkley Labs such as the SlapGill. The brand's website showcases a wide range of products organized by species—bass, saltwater, trout, and walleye—and emphasizes its science-driven approach with the tagline "Engineered in the Lab. Proven on the Water."

• 1939

  Bedell graduates high school and employs several area girls to make flies, silkworm gut, and cable wire leaders.

• 1937

  Berkley Bedell founds Berkley Fly Co. in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with $50 from paper route earnings.

• Berkley introduces Trilene fishing line, a major innovation.

• Berkley launches Lightning Rod.

• Berkley introduces PowerBait.

• Berkley introduces FireLine.

• Berkley launches Gulp! and Gulp! Alive.

• Berkley becomes part of Pure Fishing.

Science-driven fishing tackle brand: "Engineered in the Lab. Proven on the Water."

• Berkley Trilene

  Fishing line known for innovation.

• PowerBait

  Soft bait line including MaxScent and Saltwater Shrimperor.

• Gulp!

  Lifelike bait series.

• FireLine

  Fishing line.

• Lightning Rod

  Fishing rod.

• Unlock

  Crankbait with hydrodynamic body and Fusion19 hooks.

• SlapGill

  New bait from Berkley Labs.

• PowerBait MaxScent 'Moeba

  Bestseller soft bait.

• Doom Stroller

  New bait.

• Swamp Lord Terror Pack

  Bait pack.

• Rawler Harness

  Bait harness.

• Swamp Lord Jr. Hollow Body Frog

  Hollow body frog bait.

1. 1Berkley® US | Fishing Gear - Line, Bait, Tackle and Equipmentberkley-fishing.com
2. 2About Usberkley-fishing.com
3. 3Berkley® eGift Cardberkley-fishing.com
4. 4Unlockberkley-fishing.com