Shakespeare · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Shakespeare Reverb Spinning Combo
Fishing reel with lower PFAS concern, no known chemicals.
This metal reel with plastic handle and monofilament line uses standard construction without waterproofing or specialized coatings requiring PFAS. Product category carries minimal inherent risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Metal reel, plastic handle, monofilament line
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.
Metal corrosion and oxidation (reel spool)
Aluminum or zinc alloy reels exposed to saltwater without rinsing can oxidize, but this is a mechanical durability issue, not a toxicological hazard. Corrosion itself does not release metals at concentrations that pose ingestion risk during normal fishing use.
Microplastic shedding from line
Fishing line can fragment into microplastics over time, particularly if line is old or exposed to UV, but this is an environmental concern rather than a direct consumer health hazard during use.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic handle degradation (UV or thermal)
No established reports of toxic off-gassing or brittleness from Shakespeare handle plastics under normal storage and use. Prolonged direct sunlight storage could theoretically reduce lifespan but does not trigger chemical release hazards.
Monofilament line composition
Nylon and polypropylene monofilament do not leach additives during water immersion or normal handling. No known antimicrobial or flame-retardant coatings are applied to fishing line in this product category.
Lead
No recalls or public testing has identified heavy metals in Shakespeare reel coatings. Modern fishing tackle manufacturers have largely moved away from lead-based finishes, and this brand has no documented history of such issues.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Shakespeare Reverb Spinning Combo uses a metal spool (typically aluminum or zinc alloy), plastic handle components, and monofilament fishing line. Monofilament is typically nylon or polypropylene, neither of which leaches significantly during normal use since the line does not contact food, skin for extended periods, or heat sources. The metal reel is inert under standard fishing conditions and does not degrade from moisture exposure in ways that release problematic metals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare, owned by Jarden Corporation (now Newell Brands), has no public record of major product safety recalls specific to fishing reels or transparency issues in this category. The brand does not actively disclose chemical composition beyond material type, which is typical for fishing tackle manufacturers. No established controversies regarding hazardous coatings, handle toxins, or line composition have been documented for Shakespeare reels.
How it compares in its category
Fishing reels as a category present lower chemical hazard profiles than cookware, food storage, or textiles because end-use contact is indirect and non-consumptive. The Reverb Spinning Combo's metal and plastic construction is standard; no premium alternatives use materials with documented lower concern for PFAS. Lifespan and durability are typical for mid-market reels, meaning replacement frequency is not a concern for chemical accumulation.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent corrosion and maintain coating integrity; this reduces any risk of metal oxidation leaching. Store in a dry environment to avoid mold growth in line crevices. Handle plastic components normally without heating or prolonged sun exposure, which could theoretically degrade polymer but poses no realistic risk during typical fishing use. Replace line every 1 to 2 years depending on use frequency; monofilament does not pose cumulative hazard risk but degrades mechanistically.
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.