Shakespeare · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Sealed Shakespeare Monofilament Nylon Fishing Line 700 Yds K-mart
Lower concern. Bare nylon monofilament unlikely to contain PFAS.
Nylon monofilament fishing line is a bare synthetic polymer without water-resistant or nonstick coatings that typically require PFAS. No brand disclosure, but material class carries lower PFAS risk than treated products.
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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's monofilament is extruded nylon (typically nylon 6 or nylon 6/6), a synthetic polymer with strong tensile properties and UV resistance. The 700-yard spool format means the line is wound under tension but not heat-exposed during normal storage. Unlike painted or coated fishing tackle, bare nylon monofilament has no glazes, dyes, or surface treatments that typically introduce heavy metals or problematic additives. The sealed packaging further minimizes environmental contamination or degradation before use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare is a long-established tackle manufacturer (founded 1897) with no documented safety recalls specific to monofilament line chemistry. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed additive formulations or third-party certifications for their fishing line products. No established controversies regarding heavy metals, plasticizers, or hazardous dyes in Shakespeare monofilament appear in consumer safety databases or regulatory records. Brand transparency on this product category is typical for the fishing industry: minimal.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament fishing line is chemically simpler than braided line (which may use synthetic dyes or adhesive binders) and does not require the flame retardants, UV absorbers, or stabilizers that some specialty lines contain. Shakespeare's nylon monofilament occupies the mainstream middle ground: no premium eco-certifications but no atypical additives either. Compared to fluorocarbon lines or high-visibility colored monofilaments, plain clear or light-tinted nylon carries lower risk of dyes or processing chemicals.
If you buy it
Store the sealed spool indoors away from direct sunlight to slow nylon degradation and maintain tensile strength. Nylon monofilament is stable at room temperature and does not leach significantly into aquatic environments over typical use periods (hours to days of fishing). When the line becomes visibly brittle, discolored, or loses knot strength, replace it; storage life is typically 2-3 years. Do not heat-shrink, weld, or expose to flame for joining; use standard fishing knots instead.
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 brittleness
Nylon monofilament is inherently susceptible to UV-induced chain scission. Outdoor storage or extended sun exposure will progressively reduce line strength and may cause small microplastic fragments during use or handling.
Heavy metals in colorants (colored variants)
No established reports of lead or cadmium in Shakespeare monofilament dyes. However, if you purchase a colored variant rather than clear, standard nylon dyes could theoretically include metal-based pigments; plain clear nylon carries no known risk.
Nylon monomer residuals and leaching
Incompletely polymerized nylon may contain trace caprolactam (nylon 6 precursor). At room temperature and in brief contact with freshwater, leaching is minimal; prolonged warm-water immersion could mobilize residuals, though documented health impact from fishing line exposure is not established.
Plastic fragmentation and microplastic shedding
Monofilament line naturally degrades outdoors and can break into microplastic pieces, especially after UV exposure or physical wear. This is an environmental concern rather than direct consumer toxicity, but breakage fragments may be handled during fishing.
Additive package (stabilizers and slip agents)
Industrial nylon monofilament typically includes UV absorbers, antioxidants, and slip agents; Shakespeare does not disclose these additives publicly. No safety alerts exist for standard nylon stabilizers in fishing line at consumer use concentrations.
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.