Amazon Associates Disclosure
First Cast Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
As an Amazon Associate, First Cast Guide earns from qualifying purchases.
How Affiliate Links Work
Some of the links on First Cast Guide are "affiliate links." This means that if you click on a product link and make a purchase on Amazon, we receive a small commission from that sale. Here's what's important to know:
- You pay the same price. Affiliate links do not add any cost to your purchase. The price you see on Amazon is the same whether you click through our link or go directly to Amazon. Amazon pays the commission out of their own margin — not yours.
- Commissions are small. Amazon affiliate commissions for most product categories range from 1% to 4% of the sale price. On a $50 fishing combo, that's roughly $1-2.
- Cookies last 24 hours. When you click an affiliate link, Amazon places a tracking cookie in your browser that lasts 24 hours. If you purchase anything on Amazon during that window — even if it's not the product you originally clicked on — we may earn a commission on that sale.
How Affiliate Links Affect Our Recommendations
They don't.
Our recommendations are based entirely on aggregated data from verified Amazon reviews, Reddit community discussions, YouTube analyses, and manufacturer specifications. We use an aggregation-first methodology that relies on real-world user data — not brand relationships, payment, or sponsorship.
We recommend products that consistently earn high satisfaction ratings from real buyers. If a product doesn't perform well in the data, we don't recommend it — regardless of its affiliate commission rate. Some products in our guides have higher commission rates than others; that has zero influence on their ranking or inclusion.
Our Promise
- Honest analysis. Every recommendation on this site is backed by aggregated data from thousands of verified reviews and community discussions. We show our work — you'll see specific numbers, percentages, and source references in every guide.
- No sponsored content. No brand has paid for placement, favorable reviews, or inclusion in any First Cast Guide article. We do not accept free products in exchange for reviews.
- Transparency. Affiliate links are clearly identified, and this disclosure is accessible from every page on the site. We believe you have the right to know how we make money.
- Data over dollars. If a product earns a higher commission but the data shows a cheaper product performs better for beginners, we recommend the cheaper product. Period.
FTC Compliance
This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (16 CFR Part 255). The FTC requires that material connections between endorsers and sellers of products be disclosed.
First Cast Guide's material connection to Amazon.com is our participation in the Amazon Associates Program, as described above.
Questions?
If you have any questions about our affiliate relationships or how we make recommendations, please contact us at hello@firstcastguide.com.
Last updated: March 30, 2026