Ugly Stik · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Ugly Stik Bigwater Rival Level Wind Combo
Fishing rod with no PFAS-typical components, lower concern.
This fiberglass and graphite rod with standard metal reel shows no water-repellent coatings or nonstick surfaces that typically contain PFAS.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
fiberglass rod, graphite, metal reel 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 particulate (inhalation or ingestion)
If the rod blank becomes cracked or splintered, fiberglass fibers may shed. Risk is low under normal use but increases with physical damage or mishandling around children or pets.
Metal corrosion and oxidation (reel components)
Prolonged saltwater exposure without rinsing can corrode metal reel parts, potentially releasing trace metals or creating sharp edges. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Coating or finish hazards
No reports of toxic coatings, paints, or epoxy finishes on Ugly Stik rods. Standard graphite and fiberglass blanks are not known to off-gas volatile organics under normal outdoor use.
Heavy metals
Reel components are not food-contact or mouth-contact surfaces; standard stainless steel or aluminum alloys in fishing reels are not documented hazards in this product class.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Ugly Stik Bigwater Rival uses a fiberglass rod blank combined with graphite reinforcement, paired with metal reel components (likely aluminum or stainless steel). Fiberglass and graphite are inert composite materials with minimal leaching risk under normal freshwater or saltwater fishing use. Metal reel components are not typically a source of heavy metal migration in this application since they do not contact food, mouth, or prolonged skin exposure during typical handling.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ugly Stik (Shakespeare/Frabill subsidiary) does not publish detailed material safety or PFAS statements for its fishing rod lines. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to chemical hazards in their rod or reel products. Industry-wide, fishing rod manufacturers rarely face heavy regulatory scrutiny for chemical composition since rods are not food-contact or personal-care items.
How it compares in its category
Among mid-range fishing combos, Ugly Stik rods are standard fiberglass/graphite construction typical of the price point. This material profile (fiberglass + metal reel) carries lower chemical hazard than rods with painted or lacquered finishes that may contain heavy metals or volatile organics. The Bigwater Rival is competitively positioned with no known material advantages or disadvantages versus other combos in its segment.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel and guides with fresh water after saltwater use to prevent salt corrosion and material degradation; this extends life and prevents metal component breakdown. Store in a dry location to avoid moisture accumulation in the reel housing. Inspect the rod blank annually for cracks or splintering; fiberglass shards are a mechanical hazard if ingested (rare, but relevant if used around young children). No special handling for chemical off-gassing or leaching is necessary under normal fishing use.
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.