Ugly Stik · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
Fishing rod with no known PFAS-prone components, low concern.
Ugly Stik GX2 uses fiberglass, cork, and stainless steel with no coatings or treatments linked to PFAS. Standard rod materials carry lower risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
fiberglass rod blank, cork grip, stainless steel guides
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.
Cork grip mold/microbial growth
Natural cork can support mold or mildew if stored wet or in humid conditions, though this is a biological rather than chemical hazard and easily managed by air-drying.
Pesticide residue
Cork may retain trace pesticide or fungicide residues from agricultural treatment, but typical cork grip exposure is minimal and not specific to this brand.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fiberglass inhalation during manufacturing or if rod splinters
No evidence of splinter risk or occupational exposure issues reported for consumer Ugly Stik rods; fiberglass is encapsulated and not abraded during normal fishing use.
Heavy metals
Stainless steel is formulated to resist corrosion and does not leach nickel, chromium, or iron under freshwater or saltwater exposure in recreational timeframes.
Source, FDA ↗Epoxy or adhesive off-gassing from rod construction
Fiberglass composite rods are cured during manufacturing and do not emit volatile organic compounds during storage or use; no reports of VOC complaints for this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Ugly Stik GX2 uses a fiberglass composite rod blank, which is chemically stable and does not leach harmful compounds during normal use. Cork grip is a natural material with low toxicity risk, though some cork processing may involve minor pesticide residues (not specific to this brand). Stainless steel guides are corrosion-resistant and do not shed heavy metals into freshwater or saltwater. The overall material chemistry is low-risk compared to consumer products like cookware or textiles.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare/Ugly Stik has not publicized specific chemical safety certifications or third-party testing for this rod model. The brand does not disclose manufacturing practices, material sourcing, or PFAS avoidance policies publicly. No recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for this product line. As a legacy fishing-equipment manufacturer, Shakespeare maintains conventional quality control but does not lead in transparency around hazardous substance restrictions.
How it compares in its category
Fiberglass rods are not a material linked to PFAS, while some carbon-fiber composites may involve epoxy resins with potential volatile organic compound off-gassing during manufacturing. Cork grips are standard across the fishing rod category and pose no known acute hazard. Stainless steel guides are industry norm and do not create leaching risk. The Ugly Stik GX2 sits at the middle-to-mainstream safety profile for recreational spinning rods.
If you buy it
Store the rod in a dry environment to prevent cork mold or mildew, which can occur if left wet. Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use to maintain stainless steel guide integrity and prevent corrosion. Cork grips may degrade over years of heavy use but are replaceable and not a chemical hazard. No special handling or temperature precautions are needed; fiberglass does not off-gas or leach under normal fishing conditions.
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
- Ugly Stik 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.