Alpha Spinning Reel vs Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit: which is safer?
Shakespeare Alpha Spinning Reel is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Shakespeare
Alpha Spinning Reel
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 85/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
none flagged
Material
Metal alloy (aluminum spool, stainless steel bearings, bail)
Confidence
72%
Ugly Stik
Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 73/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Fiberglass rod, plastic reel, rubber grip
Confidence
78%
PossibleFiberglass splinters from rod degradation
PossiblePlastic reel microplastics from wear
PossibleBacterial growth in reel housing if wet and unmaintained
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Fiberglass splinters from rod degradation, Plastic reel microplastics from wear and Bacterial growth in reel housing if wet and unmaintained on the Ugly Stik and not on the Shakespeare.
- The Shakespeare is Metal alloy (aluminum spool, stainless steel bearings, bail) where the Ugly Stik is Fiberglass rod, plastic reel, rubber grip, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More fishing tackle & gear, see the full ranking