AFTCO Bluewater

This site is owned and operated by AFTCO Bluewater, a division of AFTCO Mfg. Co., Inc., and the sportswear licensee for Al Agnew. We created this site so that you, the Al Agnew sportswear customer, can find any and all of the specific products you're looking for. If you prefer to visit the Al Agnew sportswear retailer near you - and we encourage you to do so - we have provided a dealer locator on each page of this website.

AFTCO stands for the American Fishing Tackle Company and was established in 1958 in Newport Beach, California by J.C. Axelson, a pioneer in big game tackle development. In 1973, Milt Shedd (a legendary innovator, himself) and wife Peggie purchased AFTCO, and a new company evolved with a concern for both the fishing customer and the fish and wildlife resource. In 1974, son Bill Shedd joined the company, and in 1989 he started the AFTCO Bluewater clothing division, with the introduction of what became the world's finest fishing shorts. In 2004, Guy Harvey partnered with AFTCO Bluewater for the manufacture and distribution of all Guy Harvey sportswear, including the immensely popular Guy Harvey T-Shirts. The success of Guy’s saltwater-themed clothing led to an opportunity to partner with Al Agnew in 2007 to bring Al’s exceptional freshwater fish and wildlife art to life as a full clothing line as well.

For more than 50 years, the AFTCO name has stood for quality and dependability, backed by a family-owned company that ranks among the world's most highly regarded saltwater fishing tackle manufacturers. Our AFTCO Roller Guides and Roller Tops, Unibutts®, Taper Tip Gaffs, Roller Troller® Outrigger Clips, Fighting Belts and Harnesses, AFTCO Bluefever Fishing Gloves and more are found on top sportfishing boats world wide. It is that reputation for quality and complete customer satisfaction, along with AFTCO Bluewater's expertise in designing and manufacturing quality clothing and the Shedd family's longtime commitment to resource stewardship, that led both Guy Harvey and Al Agnew to partner with AFTCO Bluewater as their clothing partner.

AFTCO's conservation ethic evolved through former company Chairman Milt Shedd's longtime involvement in ocean resource projects. Milt, the founding Board Chairman of SeaWorld, Inc., passed in 2002, but his marine stewardship tradition is carried on by the staff of AFTCO Bluewater. Bill Shedd, company President and CEO, contributes well over 500 hours a year providing leadership for ocean conservation efforts.