Meet the Owners: Peter Bilardello of 4 Reel Services

InTheBite chats with Pete Birardello, of 4 Reel Services, Boynton Beach, Florida. 

Peter “Captain Pete” Bilardello is a retired electrical engineer who has more than 50 years of business and technical experience. He is the founder and president of 4 Reel Services Inc. and 4 Reel Products Inc. Peter also holds a master’s 100-ton captain’s license and a commercial pilot’s license. According to Peter, after his retirement, he “decided to do something more important with his life — do more fishing!”

What’s new with your business?

“Our newest product line is 4 Reel Cleaner. We’re just expanding our product lines and reaching out to more people.”

How was the business started?

In 2004 it all started when a local tackle shop asked if he knew how to fix a fishing reel.

“While this started out as a “keep busy” vocation, it soon grew into a sizeable business. So much for retirement! Now 4 Reel Services is a service and warranty center for most major brands and we receive and service reels form all parts of the world.”

What do you like to do outside of work?

If there wasn’t enough to do with his so-called retirement, Peter explains that he developed a new cleaning product: 4 Reel Cleaner. After trying many cleaners currently available with disappointing results, he then founded 4 Reel Products Inc. and developed his own brand of “non–toxic cleaning products that not only cleans reels, but also rods, tackle, fishing line and so much more.”

What do you like about the industry you’re in?

“To me, the fishing industry is a unique collection of people from all walks of life and experiences. It’s one of the only sports where everyone is equal and experience wins the day. Everybody has their story and it’s fun to listen to all the tall tales.”

Editor’s note: This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.