There have been several companies throughout the years that have manufactured many thousands of reels with dozens of different models. Many companies even manufactured under several different brand names. These reels were mass-produced for the most part and a great number of their reels are still easy to find today. Because these reels were so popular then, they still command a large following of collectors today. Although most of the reels made by these companies are easily accessible and quite affordable, there are exceptions to the rule. Many of the early models of these reels were hand made or made in a limited quantity making them hard to find and as desirable and valuable as many of the reels built by the smaller companies. These companies are listed below. I have capitalized the "reel giants"

1. Abbey & Imbrie
2. ABU
3. Arex
4. BRONSON
5. COXE, Bronson Mich.
6. Dam Quick
7. FOUR BROTHERS
8. GARCIA MITCHELL
9. HEDDON
10. HENDRIX
11. Higgins, J.C.
12. Horrocks-Ibbotson
13. Johnson
14. LANGELY
15. Martin
16. Meisselbach
17. MITCHELL
18. Montague
19. OCEAN CITY
20. Orvis
21. PENN
22. Pennell
23. PFLUEGER
24. Portage
25. SHAKESPEARE
26. SOUTH BEND
27. Winchester
28. ZEBCO

If you did not find your reel on this list, please try the list of small manufacturers.