Berkley · Fishing Line
BERKLEY TRILENE BIG GAME
Lower PFAS concern; standard fishing monofilament with no known PFAS treatment triggers.
Berkley Trilene Big Game is a monofilament nylon fishing line with no disclosed water-resistant or stain-resistant coatings that would typically require PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.
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monofilament nylon fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Berkley Trilene Big Game is extruded nylon monofilament, a single continuous polymer strand used for fishing. Nylon (polyamide) is chemically stable under normal use conditions and does not leach into water or food in the way ceramics or plastics designed for food storage do. The "Big Game" variant is formulated for strength and abrasion resistance, typically with UV stabilizers and colorants added during extrusion to enhance visibility and durability in freshwater and saltwater environments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Berkley (owned by Pure Fishing, itself part of Pradco) does not publicly disclose detailed chemical composition or independent third-party certifications for monofilament lines. The brand has no known major product recalls or safety controversies tied to this line. Fishing line manufacturers in general rarely conduct or publish consumer-facing safety testing, as the product is not ingested and contact is brief and incidental.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament lines like Trilene Big Game are industry standard and functionally identical across brands in terms of baseline safety profile. Alternatives include braided lines (polyethylene or dyneema blends) and fluorocarbon, each with similar minimal hazard profiles. Trilene is positioned as a budget to mid-range option with reputation for reliability; no safety advantage or disadvantage versus competitors like Spiderwire or Suffix.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from prolonged direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation and embrittlement; nylon becomes brittle over 2-3 years of outdoor exposure regardless of brand. Inspect for discoloration, stiffness, or visible cracks before use, especially if stored outdoors or in a vehicle. Do not allow line to contact high heat sources or flames. Replace annually if used frequently in saltwater or UV-intensive conditions; freshwater recreational use typically extends line life to 2-3 years.
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.”
UV degradation and embrittlement
Nylon monofilament degrades under UV exposure over months to years, becoming brittle and prone to breakage. This is material behavior, not a chemical hazard, but impacts safety (line failure during use). Storage in shade and periodic replacement mitigate risk.
Colorants and UV stabilizers composition
Berkley does not disclose specific dyes or stabilizer additives in Trilene Big Game. Standard nylon colorants are non-hazardous under normal use; no evidence of heavy metal pigments or restricted dyes in this product class.
Microplastic release during use
Monofilament can shed microscopic fragments during casting, line abrasion, and retrieval, contributing to aquatic microplastic pollution. This is an environmental hazard, not a direct consumer safety issue, but relevant to use context.
Chemical leaching into water
Nylon monofilament is chemically inert in water and does not leach monomers, plasticizers, or additives at concentrations of concern. No evidence of water contamination from this product in normal use.
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.
Safer alternatives in Fishing Line
Stren
Original
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Lower PFAS concern for a fishing line product; no coating or treatment typical of PFAS carriers.
⚠Risky category by default
Maxima
Ultragreen One Shot
Lubricant/chain oil (mineral or synthetic base)
Lower PFAS concern for a chain lubricant; minimal Teflon-family coating/waterproofing risk profile.
⚠Risky category by default
Seaguar
Blue Label
Fluorocarbon fishing line (monofilament)
Fluorocarbon fishing line may contain PFAS; insufficient public data to grade definitively.
⚠Risky category by default
More fishing line 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.