Fishing Kit Warning
Kids’ product recall 90-035. Announced by CPSC on Feb 7, 1990.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on Feb 7, 1990. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
The notice gives no remedy in a field of its own.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Which ones are recalled?
CONTACT: February 7, 1990 (301) 504-7908 Release # 90-035 Fishing Kit Warning WASHINGTON, DC--FinTek, Inc., Spirit Lake, Iowa in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the New York Attorney General’s Office is issuing a warning urging parents not to give their “Tadpole Fishing Kit,” Model K401, to children under the age of three because of a potential choking hazard presented by the casting plug contained in the kit. The Tadpole Fishing Kit includes a three foot DuraFlex Spincast Rod with ceramic guides and a black handle, a reel filled with eight-lb. test line, and a black rubber casting plug. Labeling near the base of the silver rod reads “FinTek Tadpole” and “ST330.” The Tadpole Fishing Kit was labeled “Baby Angler Ages 1 -5” and distributed nationwide between December 1988 and May 1989. These fishing kits sold for about $12.00 each. Although the firm distributed approximately 9,800 Tadpole Fishing Kits, mainly to sporting goods stores, they have voluntarily recalled the product from retailers. The firm has redesigned the packaging to remove the age labeling. Consumers who have already purchased this item should immediately take the toy away from children under the age of three. The New York Attorney General’s Office notified CPSC of the small parts violation with this fishing kit which was age labeled for one to five years. Neither CPSC nor FinTek, Inc. is aware of any injuries associated with these kits. This warning is issued to notify the public of the potential choking hazard if the “Tadpole Fishing Kit” is used by children under the age of three. Consumers who have any questions about this warning may contact FinTek, Inc. at 1-800- 237-5537
FinTek Tadpole Fishing Kits.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Who made and sold it?
- Made by FinTek.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The notice doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
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.