Shimano · Fishing Tackle & Gear
shimano Symetre Spinning Combo
Low risk fishing rod, no known PFAS present.
This graphite composite rod and aluminum reel combo uses standard fishing materials with no identified PFAS-prone components. Shimano provides no public PFAS information.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Graphite composite rod, aluminum reel, 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.
Guide coating integrity (if ceramic or hardened resin)
Shimano Symetre guides are typically SiC (silicon carbide) hardened or ceramic, which are chemically inert. If any epoxy binder coating chips from impact, it poses no toxicity risk but may create micro-abrasion on line; inspect guides annually for visible damage.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Aluminum reel corrosion and leaching
Shimano reels use anodized or hard-coat aluminum that creates a protective oxide barrier; no documented leaching into water under normal fishing use. Stainless steel components resist corrosion independently.
Graphite composite resin degradation
Epoxy or polyester resins in graphite composites are stable in water at ambient temperatures and do not migrate into catch or user contact surfaces during normal fishing. UV exposure over years may cause surface cosmetic changes, not chemical hazards.
Bacterial or mold growth on damp components
This is a maintenance issue, not a material hazard. Metal and graphite composites do not support pathogenic growth; improper storage (wet, warm, airless) increases algae or biofilm risk on the spool and bail, which is removable by rinsing.
Stainless steel nickel release
Fishing rods use marine-grade 300-series stainless (typically 304 or 316) that is passivated and corrosion-resistant; nickel exposure risk is negligible in water contact and nonexistent in the brief handling typical of fishing.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Shimano Symetre rod uses graphite composite (carbon fiber resin matrix) for the blank, which is chemically inert and does not leach into water or food. The aluminum reel housing and stainless steel components (guides, bail, springs) are also non-leaching materials with established durability records in aquatic environments. Unlike cookware or food-contact plastics, fishing gear does not expose users or catch to chemical migration because water contact is brief and external only.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shimano is a major Japanese fishing equipment manufacturer with no documented chemical safety violations, recalls related to toxins, or disclosure controversies in the fishing gear space. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS use in rods (marked silent in your context), but this absence reflects standard industry practice for fishing equipment rather than a transparency red flag. No formaldehyde, heavy metal, or flame retardant issues are on record for Shimano spinning combos.
How it compares in its category
Fishing rods as a category pose far lower chemical hazard risk than cookware, apparel, or home furnishings because they are not heated, worn against skin, or used with food. Graphite composite and stainless steel are among the most chemically stable materials in recreational equipment. The Symetre sits in the mid-range consumer tier, using the same material classes as premium competitors, with no evidence of cost-cutting that introduces hazardous coatings or fillers.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel and guides with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent corrosion and algae buildup, which can trap contaminants; dry thoroughly. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation of the graphite resin (a cosmetic, not safety, issue over decades). Do not apply unknown lubricants to the reel bail or gears; use only fishing reel-specific oils. No heat or chemical exposure during normal use poses any documented risk.
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
- Shimano 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.