Shakespeare · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
825 Yards of Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament 12 LB Test Clear Blue Fluorescent Fishing Line / 12 Pound Shakespear
Lower concern. Nylon monofilament unlikely to contain PFAS.
Fishing line made from nylon monofilament. No PFAS-related treatment typical for this product type, though manufacturer provides no explicit disclosure.
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Nylon monofilament fishing line
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
Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament is extruded nylon (polyamide) fishing line, a synthetic polymer widely used in the fishing industry since the 1930s. Nylon monofilament does not require the chemical additives (like fluorine compounds or heavy stabilizers) that create hazard profiles in coated cookware or treated textiles. The fluorescent blue dye is a colorant added during extrusion; standard colorants in fishing line are azo dyes, which carry minimal risk in non-food contact applications. This material degrades slowly in water and sunlight, which is why line replacement is recommended annually for frequent users.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Newell Brands) does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications for monofilament fishing line products. The company has no documented chemical safety recalls or public controversies specific to monofilament lines. Their silence on PFAS in fishing tackle is typical of the fishing industry, where transparency remains limited even as PFAS awareness grows in outdoor gear. No independent laboratory testing has been publicly disclosed for this specific product's chemical composition.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament is the entry-level and most popular fishing line choice, with fewer chemical additives than specialty alternatives (fluorocarbon, braided, or coated lines). Fluorocarbon lines contain additional stabilizers and require more processing; braided lines may use epoxy or polyurethane coatings that introduce chemical complexity. Shakespeare Sigma is a mid-tier monofilament with typical tensile strength and abrasion resistance for recreational use. Most major brands (Berkley, Spiderwire, Sufix) use comparable nylon formulations with equally sparse public safety disclosure.
If you buy it
Store the line spool indoors away from direct sunlight to slow UV degradation and maintain strength; exposure to heat above 140°F (60°C) can degrade nylon performance but is unlikely during normal storage or use. Replace the line annually or after heavy use, as weakened line poses a functional (breakage) rather than chemical risk. Dispose of spent line as waste, not in water; monofilament does not biodegrade and can entangle wildlife. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin, as friction and any residual dyes can cause minor irritation in rare cases.
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.”
Azo dyes (colorant safety)
Azo dyes in monofilament lines are regulated and non-toxic in non-food contact use. No adverse health effects are documented from handling colored fishing line. The fluorescent blue dye in this product is external and does not leach into water or skin under normal handling.
Heavy metals in colorants
Fishing line colorants are typically organic compounds rather than pigments containing cadmium or lead. No recalls or test results indicating heavy metal contamination in Shakespeare monofilament have been published.
Degradation byproducts
Extended UV exposure and water immersion cause nylon to release small quantities of oligomers and monomers as it breaks down. These byproducts are not classified as acute hazards, but ingestion via contaminated water is theoretically possible in extreme scenarios; this is not a consumer-use risk during normal fishing.
Microplastic generation
Monofilament fishing line is a documented source of microplastic pollution when lost or discarded in aquatic environments. This is an environmental rather than direct-use hazard, but discarded line should never enter waterways.
Mold or bacterial growth (storage)
Nylon monofilament is resistant to microbial colonization. No moisture-related safety issues are documented for stored or wet fishing line from major manufacturers.
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.
More fishing line & fishing tackle 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.