Tibor Jurascik

Tibor "Ted" Juracsik was a tool-and-die maker when he met Billy Pate in 1972 on a fishing trip to Islamorada, Florida. Asked by Pate if he could make a better reel, Jurascik developed an anti-reverse tarpon reel. Pate ordered up more and sold them at his Islamadora shop.

Tibor Reel was established in 1976 and manufacturing operations moved to Florida. Based in Delray Beach, the company employs 30 people and produces approximately 4,000 reels per year. Except for the ball bearings, the machining and assembly are done at the family-owned factory. The reel was eventually renamed the Billy Pate.