Winthrop Tackle: big game rod parts machined in the USA

Made in USA: Components machined in Essex, Connecticut
Solid aluminum: One-piece machined frames with no welds
US patents: Patented adjustable butt and gaff hooks

The story of the brand

Fred Malcarne, from the tool shop to big game

Fred Malcarne first learned the toolmaker's trade. He then opened his own shop, Winthrop Tool, in his parents' cellar. A keen angler, he spent his free time between the Connecticut River and the Atlantic. In 1991, he earned his US Coast Guard captain's license.

His machining skills led him to design his own big game parts. In 2009, he filed a patent application for an adjustable rod butt. That butt became the Terminator Adjusta-Butt, patented in the United States in 2013. The Excel roller guides followed, then the X-Caliber.

Today, Winthrop Tackle makes guides, tip tops, butts and gaff hooks in Essex. Its parts are built for trolling and stand up fishing on large offshore fish. Fred Malcarne still runs the company.

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Key dates

1991 Fred Malcarne earns his US Coast Guard captain's license
2009 First patent application for an adjustable rod butt
2013 US patent granted for the Adjusta-Butt adjustable butt

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Technical data

SKU Brand Range Material Weight (g) Target species Recommended techniques Action Length (mm) Length (cm) Length (m) Category Mounting Number of pieces Line weight Blank power Manufacturer power ID1 (mm) OD1 ID2 (mm) OD2 Butt measurement (mm) Tip measurement (mm) IP AA Packed size (cm) Recommended tip Marking Ferrule type Handle type Grip type Cut-out Thread size Color preserver Ceramic Frame Fixing L1 L2 IT1 Height Lure type Strength Head length (mm) Head weight at 30 ft (g) Retrieve (cm) Sinking speed Head weight (g) Density Handle

SKU XC1W-BU-BLK

Brand Winthrop

Weight (g) 60.12

Length (mm) 130.0

Mounting Trolling

Ceramic Sans céramique

Frame Black

L1 29 mm

L2 29 mm

Height 57 mm

X-Caliber

99,50€

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SKU ADJBUTT-2S-S

Brand Winthrop

Material Aluminium

Weight (g) 745.0

Length (mm) 470.0

Mounting Exo

ID1 (mm) 22.2

Winthrop Terminator Butt

399,95€

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SKU WT-AT-12-DD-BLK

Brand Winthrop

Weight (g) 19.53

Length (mm) 72.5

Mounting Trolling

Ceramic Sans céramique

Frame Black

IT1 4.8 mm

Winthrop Aluminium Tops WT-AT

108,00€

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SKU WGH2-Light

Brand Winthrop

Weight (g) 67.0

Target species Carangue, Requin, Exo, Thon jaune, Thon blanc, Thon rouge

Recommended techniques Exo, Jigging mer, Popping, Traîne/Trolling

Length (cm) 19.0

Winthrop Tackle Gaff Hooks

(1)

37,70€

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SKU T-10X-4-BLK

Brand Winthrop

Weight (g) 2416.0

Mounting Trolling

T-10X Multi Position Adjustable Butt

499,90€

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SKU FRL ADPT#4 SLV

Brand Winthrop

Weight (g) 74.0

ID1 (mm) 24.7

OD1 28.7

OD2 42.8

Winthrop Ferrule Adapters

54,00€

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Who founded Winthrop Tackle?

Winthrop Tackle was founded by Fred Malcarne, a trained toolmaker and angler. He first opened Winthrop Tool, a precision machine shop serving the aerospace and medical sectors. He is also a captain, with a US Coast Guard license earned in 1991.

Fred Malcarne still runs the company, based in Essex, Connecticut.

Where are Winthrop components made?

Winthrop components are made in the United States, in Essex, Connecticut. Guide and tip top frames are CNC machined in one piece from a block of aircraft grade aluminum. The rollers are 316 stainless steel, for corrosion resistance. The gaff hooks are also 316 stainless steel, with a machined point.

What is the Winthrop Terminator Adjusta-Butt?

The Terminator Adjusta-Butt is the adjustable trolling butt made by Winthrop Tackle. At the push of a button, the rod switches from a straight butt to a bent butt. It is machined from aircraft grade aluminum, with a hardened stainless steel positioning mechanism. Its reel seat takes reels from 30 to 130 class. Winthrop holds a US patent on this butt.

Winthrop Tackle and big game fishing

Winthrop Tackle is an American brand based in Essex, Connecticut. It makes rod components for big game fishing. Its founder, Fred Malcarne, is a trained toolmaker and a keen angler. The brand designs roller guides, roller tip tops and trolling butts. It also makes stainless steel gaff hooks.

Winthrop Tackle builds for the heaviest kinds of fishing. Its parts fit trolling and stand up rods, from 30 to 130 lb class. You will find them on tuna and marlin rods. The brand designs its parts with skilled rod builders and anglers.

A precision machining craft

Fred Malcarne also runs Winthrop Tool, a precision machine shop. The shop works for the aerospace, medical and commercial sectors. Winthrop Tackle uses the same methods for its fishing parts. Each frame is CNC machined from a block of aircraft grade aluminum. It is made in one piece, with no welds or screws. The roller sits recessed in the frame, which protects the line.

Rollers in 316 stainless steel, chosen for its corrosion resistance.
The X-Caliber series, with a lighter frame that flexes a little under load.
The Excel series, with a frame drawn up with rod builders and anglers.
The Terminator Adjusta-Butt, which goes from straight to bent butt at the push of a button.
Patented gaff hooks with a machined point.

All the work is done in the United States. The brand also protects its ideas with patents, such as the one on its adjustable butt.

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Winthrop: trolling butts, roller tip tops and gaffs for big game

Fred Malcarne, from the tool shop to big game

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