Ugly Stik Review, Is Ugly Stik Non-Toxic?
Ugly Stik averages 85 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 14 Ugly Stik products graded as of November 2026, and all 14 reach its 70 point pass mark.
Ugly Stik grades Excellent on our four-band scale. On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. See what every brand has published about PFAS for how that compares.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
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Does Ugly Stik have PFAS, by category
Which Ugly Stik products are PFAS-free? Good or better, best-graded first
- Fiberglass rod, plastic reel, rubber grip
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass splinters from rod degradation. Fiberglass rods can crack or delaminate with age or impact…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- fiberglass rod blank, cork grip, stainless steel guides
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Cork grip mold/microbial growth. Natural cork can support mold or mildew if stored wet or in humid…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Anodized aluminum spool, stainless steel bail, graphite composite body
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Anodized aluminum coating degradation. If the anodized layer is compromised by impact or prolonged saltwater…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- fiberglass rod, graphite composite, aluminum spool, nylon line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Aluminum spool/housing corrosion under saltwater exposure. Anodized aluminum does not leach aluminum ions…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Fiberglass composite rod, metal reel and components
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass fiber shedding. If the rod coating or outer wrap is damaged through impact or age, microscopic…
- fiberglass rod, graphite, metal reel components
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass particulate (inhalation or ingestion). If the rod blank becomes cracked or splintered, fiberglass…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Fiberglass composite rod, reel housing, line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass splinter risk. Fiberglass rods are engineered to flex, but severe impacts or microfractures can…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- fiberglass composite rod, aluminum reel, rubber grip
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Rubber grip off-gassing or leaching. Synthetic rubber grips may contain plasticizers or accelerators typical…
- fiberglass rod, graphite composite, aluminum reel
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Aluminum reel corrosion and surface degradation. Saltwater exposure can accelerate aluminum oxidation; this…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Fiberglass composite rod, plastic/nylon handle, metal reel components
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Metal corrosion and leaching. Aluminum reel seats and guides are anodized or coated to prevent direct contact…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Fiberglass rod, graphite composite, plastic/rubber handle and reel components
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass splinter risk. If the rod blank cracks or is damaged, exposed fiberglass fibers may splinter and…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- fiberglass rod, graphite composite, anodized aluminum reel
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Aluminum reel corrosion and anodize degradation. Anodized aluminum provides excellent saltwater resistance…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- fiberglass rod blank, aluminum reel seat, graphite composite
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass fiber shedding or inhalation. If the rod blank is cracked or severely abraded, small fiberglass…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Aluminum spool, metal frame, plastic handle components
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Aluminum corrosion and oxidation. Aluminum spools and frames can corrode under saltwater or high-humidity…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What to buy instead Good or better, in the categories Ugly Stik sells
- Plastic body, tinned steel hook
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic generation from wear
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Monofilament nylon fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic shedding on degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- braided polyethylene fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic shedding from fiber degradation
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Monofilament nylon fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic shedding during use
- Monofilament nylon fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic fragmentation
- Monofilament nylon fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- UV degradation and polymer brittleness
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Ugly Stik and PFAS, common questions
- Does Ugly Stik have PFAS?
- Ugly Stik averages 85 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 14 Ugly Stik products graded as of November 2026, and all 14 reach its 70 point pass mark. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Ugly Stik non-toxic?
- Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit is the highest-graded Ugly Stik product we have scored, at 85/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Ugly Stik products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Ugly Stik products we have scored are Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit, Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod, Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Spinning Reel. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →