West Marine · Fishing Tackle & Gear
West Marine Catch More Fish Surf Pier Spinning Combo
No PFAS-typical materials detected.
This fiberglass rod and metal reel spinning combo has no waterproofing or stain-resistant coatings typically associated with PFAS. West Marine offers no PFAS information.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
fiberglass rod, metal reel, plastic 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.
Fiberglass splinter/respiratory risk
Intact fiberglass rod poses minimal risk. Only if rod fractures and is sanded or abraded without water dampening could fine fiberglass particles become airborne; wear gloves and dampen surface when handling damaged sections.
Metal reel corrosion products (saltwater)
Aluminum or steel reels corrode in saltwater if not rinsed promptly. Corrosion byproducts (metal oxides) do not present acute ingestion risk but could accumulate on hands during extended use; regular rinsing eliminates this.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Plastic handle off-gassing (VOC)
Plastic grips are not heated during use and are not exposed to solvents. No off-gassing events or volatile organic compound release have been documented for entry-level spinning-reel handles in this category.
Lead
Fishing rods and reels are not typically painted; metal components are bare or anodized. No evidence of lead-based finishes or cadmium plating in modern Shakespeare production.
Source, ATSDR ↗Entanglement or puncture hazard (use context)
This is a functional design hazard (not a chemical one) common to all fishing gear; hook and line handling requires standard care and supervision. The product itself has no material defect that increases this typical risk.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This combo pairs a fiberglass rod (reinforced plastic composite) with a metal reel mechanism and plastic handle/grip components. Fiberglass rods are chemically stable when intact and do not leach under normal freshwater or saltwater exposure. The metal reel (typically aluminum or steel) resists corrosion in standard use; plastic trim pieces are non-food-contact and do not experience heating that would trigger polymer degradation or leaching into hands during typical fishing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare is a legacy fishing-gear manufacturer owned by Pure Fishing Inc. The brand has no public record of safety recalls, material disclosures, or chemical certifications specific to rods or reels. No independent testing or third-party transparency statements on hazardous substance use in this product line are available. The category (fishing equipment) is not typically regulated for consumer chemical safety in the same manner as food contact or children's products.
How it compares in its category
Spinning combos at this price point and brand tier are standard fiberglass-and-metal construction; this design is typical and not differentiated in terms of material risk. Entry-level alternatives from comparable brands (Shimano, Ugly Stik, Abu Garcia) use similar fiberglass rods and metal reels with equivalent hazard profiles. Premium carbon-fiber rods carry no documented additional safety advantage, only performance differences.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel and handle with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent corrosion and salt accumulation on grip surfaces. Do not expose the rod to prolonged direct heat (e.g., hot car interiors) as fiberglass can soften slightly, but normal outdoor temperatures pose no risk. Check the rod for cracks or splintering annually; if the fiberglass becomes visibly damaged, sand and seal the area to prevent water ingress. Reel bearings should be cleaned and lightly oiled annually if used frequently in saltwater or sand environments.
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
- West Marine 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.