Shakespeare · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
825 Yards of Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament 20 LB Test Clear Blue Fluorescent Fishing Line / 20 Pound Shakespear
Lower concern. Standard nylon monofilament unlikely to contain PFAS.
Monofilament fishing line is typically nylon without intentional PFAS coatings. No brand disclosure or third-party verification available, but inherent material carries lower PFAS risk than waterproofed or coated products.
Shop Shakespeare on Amazon →Material
Monofilament nylon 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 is extruded nylon monofilament, a single continuous polymer strand designed for strength and low visibility in water. Monofilament nylon is inert in its finished form and does not leach into water under normal fishing conditions. The blue fluorescent colorant is a UV-reactive dye added to the polymer during extrusion; such dyes in fishing line are typically azo-based but are chemically bound within the nylon matrix and do not migrate into aquatic environments at meaningful levels during use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing) does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or certification documents for consumer fishing line products. No recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line. The company has not made public statements about PFAS testing or avoidance in monofilament, which is typical for the fishing tackle industry.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament nylon is the baseline fishing line material and carries minimal chemical concerns compared to braided lines (which may contain fluorocarbon coatings or other additives). Shakespeare's Sigma line is mid-range in the consumer market; premium competitors rarely disclose additional safety advantages. All monofilament lines pose the same end-of-life environmental concern: they persist in aquatic ecosystems and should be disposed of in household trash, not water.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation and brittleness; nylon can become stiff and crack over time. Replace the line annually or after visible damage, abrasion, or reduced strength. Do not heat monofilament deliberately; nylon has a melting point around 260 Celsius but can soften and degrade under sustained heat or friction. Dispose of old line in trash; never discard in water or where wildlife can access it.
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 in colorant
Fluorescent blue coloring likely uses azo dyes, which are chemically bound in the polymer. Established aquatic toxicity literature exists for azo dyes in general, but once cured into nylon they do not leach significantly during normal use. Risk is primarily end-of-life environmental persistence.
Nylon polymer degradation and microplastic shedding
Monofilament nylon degrades over time through UV exposure and mechanical abrasion (friction against rocks, guides, other lines). Fine fragments can shed into water, contributing to microplastic pollution. This is an established concern for all monofilament fishing lines but occurs over months to years, not immediately.
Heavy metals in colorants
No published data suggests lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Shakespeare monofilament fluorescent dyes. Standard azo-based UV dyes in fishing line do not require heavy metal catalysts. No recalls or warnings are on record for this product.
Skin contact or ingestion during handling
Finished monofilament nylon does not off-gas or leach compounds into skin or mucous membranes under normal handling. No irritation or sensitization incidents are documented. Risk is physical (abrasion from sharp line) rather than chemical.
Water leachates from nylon during storage
Nylon monofilament is hydrophobic and chemically resistant to water. Storage in wet conditions does not cause leaching of monomers or additives. No toxicological data suggests risk from contact with line stored in damp environments.
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.