ATS Trolling Reel vs Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit: which is safer?
Shakespeare ATS Trolling Reel is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Shakespeare
ATS Trolling Reel
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleGraphite particulate shedding
PossibleBearing or lubrication contamination (non-chemical)
Ugly Stik
Camping World Ugly Stik Complete Spinning Kit
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
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 Graphite particulate shedding and Bearing or lubrication contamination (non-chemical) on the Shakespeare and not on the Ugly Stik.
- 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 Aluminum spool, graphite composite body, stainless steel components 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