CPSC, Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Division Announce Recall of Children’s Fishing Poles
Kids’ product recall 05-199. Announced by CPSC on Jun 17, 2005.
- CPSC: stop using it
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CPSC’s own notice is on cpsc.gov.
The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Jun 17, 2005. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
- Stop using it what CPSC tells owners to do now (needs attention)
- About 438,000 units, as CPSC gives them
- Reported injuries, in the notice (needs attention)
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The paint on the rods of these fishing poles contains lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should stop using the recalled fishing poles and contact Shakespeare Fishing Tackle for information on receiving a free replacement fishing kit.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For more information, call Shakespeare Fishing Tackle toll-free at (866) 466-0559 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Which ones are recalled?
The recalled Shakespeare® brand fishing kits feature the following characters: TAZ® (Tazmanian Devil®), Tweety®, Mucha Lucha® and Spider-Man®. Other fishing kits feature Fishing Heroes™, sold with a silver-colored badge; Kids Kits™, sold with tackle boxes; and Shark™ and Dolphin™ Kits, which have reels in the shape of a shark or dolphin. The fishing kits have brightly colored red and yellow fishing rods, and “Shakespeare” is written on the reels. Fishing kits with purple, blue and pink rods are not included in this recall. Certain translucent red and yellow and metallic-colored red rods also are not included in this recall.
About 438,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Children’s Fishing Kits.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 3 photos on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Distributed by Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Division, Columbia, S.C.
- Discount department, sporting good and toy stores nationwide, from August 2001 through June 2005, for between $9 and $13.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The firm has not received any reports of complaints related to this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent any possibility of injury or illness.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.