Shakespeare · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Shakespeare ATS Trolling Reel
Lower concern with no PFAS-prone materials identified.
Aluminum and graphite composite construction without typical PFAS coatings. Shakespeare discloses nothing about PFAS, but material composition suggests lower risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aluminum spool, graphite composite body, stainless steel components
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Graphite particulate shedding
Graphite composite materials can shed fine particles if surfaces are worn or damaged. In fishing applications, small graphite dust poses negligible hazard to the user or aquatic ecosystems, but inhalation during maintenance in enclosed spaces is theoretically possible (mitigated by brief, outdoor handling).
Bearing or lubrication contamination (non-chemical)
Over time, salt spray and sediment can enter bearing housings if seals wear, leading to mechanical rust and drag failure. This is a durability issue rather than a chemical safety hazard, but poor maintenance can increase exposure to corrosion residues.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Aluminum leaching (aquatic exposure)
Aluminum spools are not known to leach significantly into fresh or saltwater under normal fishing conditions. pH-neutral to slightly alkaline aquatic environments do not promote aluminum dissolution from aerospace-grade or marine-grade spools.
Stainless steel corrosion byproducts
Marine-grade stainless steel (typically 316 or 304 alloy) does not corrode under normal saltwater use; any corrosion is minimal and does not release problematic heavy metals into water at concentrations of concern.
Adhesive or bonding agent volatiles
No evidence that Shakespeare ATS reels use volatile-emitting adhesives or epoxy resins in quantities that would off-gas into air or water. Fishing reels are not heated during use, so adhesive degradation is not a reported concern.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Shakespeare ATS uses an aluminum spool, graphite composite body, and stainless steel internal components. Aluminum spools are industry standard in trolling reels and do not leach into saltwater or freshwater under normal use. Graphite composite housings are chemically stable and do not off-gas volatile compounds in the way some foam-filled or heavily adhesive-bonded structures might. Stainless steel (typically 300-series alloys) resists corrosion and does not degrade into hazardous ions in aquatic environments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare is a long-established fishing equipment manufacturer (owned by Pure Fishing / Berkley) with no documented safety recalls or material-hazard controversies on record for trolling reels. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed chemical composition or third-party material certifications, which is typical for fishing tackle manufacturers but limits transparent verification of component sourcing. No evidence of PFAS use in this product category has been identified, and no regulatory action or consumer complaints are documented.
How it compares in its category
Aluminum-spool trolling reels show lower concern for durability issues in this category; graphite composites are widely used and show stability in available data. Older or lower-cost reels sometimes use brass or untreated ferrous metals that corrode faster and require more frequent maintenance. The ATS sits in the mid-range for both material quality and price, placing it well within normal safety expectations for recreational fishing equipment.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel with fresh water after each saltwater use to prevent corrosion of stainless steel components and salt accumulation in the drag system. Store in a dry location; moisture trapped in the bearing housing can promote rust and mechanical failure over months of storage. Periodically inspect the graphite body for cracks or deep gouges that could expose internal metal parts to moisture. Replace or service the drag washers if slipping or grinding occurs, as worn drag materials do not pose chemical hazards but compromise performance.
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
- Shakespeare has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing tackle & gear 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.