13 Fishing · Fishing Line & Tackle
13 Fishing FreeFall Ghost Maverick Ice Reel
Ice reel with no known PFAS risk. Lower concern product.
Ice fishing reels use metal alloys and mechanical components without typical PFAS application. 13 Fishing discloses no PFAS treatment; no public data suggests concern.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Metal alloys, ball bearings, standard ice reel components
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The FreeFall Ghost Maverick uses typical ice reel construction: aluminum and zinc alloy body, hardened steel ball bearings, and stainless steel or nickel-plated internals. These materials are chemically stable during normal use and do not leach into food or water. Metal alloys in fishing reels do not pose ingestion or skin contact hazards under standard handling, and ball bearings are sealed systems that do not off-gas or degrade in ways that release toxic compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
13 Fishing does not publicly maintain chemical disclosure statements or third-party safety certifications for their ice reel lines. The brand has no documented safety recalls or hazard complaints on record for this model. As a specialized fishing equipment manufacturer, 13 Fishing operates in a category with minimal regulatory transparency; neither the company nor independent sources report PFAS, heavy metals, or coating hazards in their reel products.
How it compares in its category
Ice reels are inherently low-hazard products compared to cookware, textiles, or food storage items because they do not contact food, skin for extended periods, or drinking water. The FreeFall Ghost Maverick sits in the mainstream performance segment; it does not use unusual coatings, exotic alloys with heavy metal content, or proprietary materials known to raise chemical concerns. Standard ice reel alternatives from competitors like Shimano or Abu Garcia present equivalent material profiles.
If you buy it
Rinse the reel with fresh water after use in saltwater or mineral-rich environments to prevent corrosion and bearing degradation. Store in a dry location; prolonged exposure to freezing water can stress seals over time. Check drag settings and ball bearing smoothness annually; replace if bearings feel gritty or drag becomes inconsistent. Avoid exposing the reel to extreme heat (well above normal room or outdoor ice conditions) as this can degrade lubricant viscosity, not chemical safety.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Metal corrosion and leaching
Zinc and aluminum alloys in reels can corrode over decades, but do not leach into food or water since the reel body does not contact consumables. Stainless steel internals resist this risk further.
Ball bearing lubricant composition
Ice reel bearings use standard industrial greases (mineral oil or synthetic-based); 13 Fishing does not disclose specific lubricant formulations. No evidence of toxic components, but typical bearing grease is not food-safe if ingested in quantity.
Coating or finish degradation
The reel body is typically anodized aluminum or nickel-plated; anodizing does not flake or degrade into particles under normal ice fishing use. No reports of coating failure releasing toxic compounds in this model line.
Heavy metals in fasteners or alloy composition
Fishing reel alloys do not require lead or cadmium; standard bronze, aluminum, and stainless steel fasteners are used industry-wide. No independent testing on record has flagged 13 Fishing reels for heavy metal content.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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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.