Pflueger · Fishing Gear & Equipment
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Lower concern since spinning reel uses standard fishing materials without known PFAS coatings.
Pflueger President reels use aluminum, stainless steel, and plastic construction typical of fishing equipment without waterproofing treatment, nonstick coating, or documented PFAS-specific coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aluminum spool, stainless steel bail and body, plastic drag system
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Plastic drag system degradation
The drag friction material is a polymer compound exposed only to internal forces and air. No documented cases of cracking, off-gassing, or chemical release exist for this product. Degradation is mechanical (wear and compression loss) rather than chemical.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Aluminum corrosion and leaching
Aluminum spool is inert in fishing applications and does not contact food or drinking water. Saltwater exposure causes surface oxidation (visible white powder), which is cosmetic and does not release toxic aluminum into the environment or user contact surfaces.
Stainless steel integrity
Stainless steel bail and body are corrosion-resistant grades commonly used in marine equipment. No leaching of nickel or chromium is expected under normal fishing use; only risk is cosmetic rust if reel is not rinsed after saltwater exposure.
Heavy metals
No cadmium, lead, or hexavalent chromium is reported or typical in stainless steel spinning reel hardware. Pflueger does not publicly test for heavy metals, but the material class (stainless fasteners) does not require such coatings.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Pflueger President uses an aluminum spool, stainless steel bail and body, and plastic drag system. Aluminum spools are chemically stable in freshwater and saltwater environments and do not leach toxic metals under normal fishing conditions. Stainless steel components resist corrosion and do not off-gas or release hazardous substances. The plastic drag system is a polymer compound engineered for friction control; this type of plastic is not exposed to food, drinking water, or high heat, so BPA and phthalate concerns are not applicable to this product category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pflueger is a heritage fishing equipment manufacturer owned by Pure Fishing Inc. The brand does not publicly disclose material sourcing, chemical testing, or environmental certifications for individual reels. No product recalls, material safety incidents, or regulatory findings have been established for the President line. Pflueger's silence on PFAS and chemical transparency is typical for the fishing tackle industry, which has minimal regulatory pressure and limited third-party testing.
How it compares in its category
Spinning reels across brands (Shimano, Abu Garcia, etc.) use nearly identical material strategies: aluminum or graphite composites, stainless steel hardware, and plastic drag components. The President sits in the mid-range price tier and uses conventional, well-proven engineering with no unusual or exotic materials. Compared to entry-level reels, it offers better corrosion resistance; compared to premium saltwater models, it uses fewer sealed bearings and less exotic alloys. Material safety profiles are broadly equivalent across major brands in this category.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent salt corrosion and mineral buildup. Store in a dry place to avoid rust on stainless steel parts. The plastic drag system does not require special care but will wear over years of heavy use; replacement spools and drag kits are inexpensive. Do not submerge the reel in hot water or expose it to prolonged direct sunlight, as plastic components can degrade, but normal fishing conditions pose no hazard.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pflueger has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Fishing Gear & Equipment
Penn
Senator Combo
Fiberglass rod, conventional reel components
Plastic reel handle or seat degradation
Limited concern
Fishing rod combo with no typical PFAS concern, but no disclosure.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More fishing gear & equipment grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.