Trilene · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Trilene Fishing Line Xt 12lb Green Low Visibility
Skip. Fishing line coating unspecified, PFAS risk unclear.
Trilene XT is monofilament nylon fishing line with undisclosed coating composition. No PFAS claims or third-party verification available; coating identity unknown.
The safe swap
Shakespeare
Shakespeare Sportfisher Fishing Mono filament Line
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Monofilament nylon (coated, unspecified treatment)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Unknown / proprietary coating
Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.
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
Trilene XT is extruded monofilament nylon (likely nylon 6 or nylon 66), a synthetic polymer with an unspecified surface treatment applied to reduce visibility and improve handling. The coating composition is not disclosed by the brand, which is the primary concern: low-visibility fishing lines are often treated with Teflon-family coating, UV absorbers, or other surface coatings that may contain PFAS or other leachable additives. Nylon itself is stable under normal fishing conditions, but the coating degrades over time through abrasion and UV exposure, releasing microparticles into aquatic environments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Trilene (owned by Berkley, a Rapala subsidiary) does not publicly disclose coating formulations, PFAS content, or third-party testing for fishing lines. The brand has no known published environmental or chemical safety certifications for this product line. Industry-wide, fishing line manufacturers rarely volunteer PFAS or coating composition data, and Trilene follows this norm without transparent commitment to PFAS-free alternatives or phaseout timelines.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament fishing lines are the dominant and most affordable option; they degrade faster than braided alternatives but are simpler to handle. Trilene XT is a mid-range consumer product without third-party certification (e.g., no eco-label or PFAS-free claims). Comparable brands (Stren, Suffix) offer similarly opaque coating information. Lines marketed explicitly as PFAS-free or with environmental certifications (limited availability) provide better transparency, though cost is higher.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place to slow UV degradation and coating breakdown. Replace line annually or when visibility decreases, as degradation releases microparticles. Do not incinerate or flush spent line; place in trash or proper waste stream to prevent aquatic contamination. Wash hands after handling to remove any loose coating particles. Consider switching to a branded PFAS-free or certified monofilament alternative if environmental persistence is a concern for you.
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.”
Unspecified coating composition and potential PFAS
Low-visibility monofilament coatings commonly use Teflon-family coating or fluorinated additives in the fishing industry, though Trilene does not disclose this. No public testing of this specific product for PFAS has been located; risk is inferred from industry practice, not confirmed.
Microplastic shedding during use and storage
Monofilament nylon sheds microparticles as the coating abrades against guides, knots, and water. Scientific literature documents nylon fishing line as a source of aquatic microplastics; this is a known characteristic of the material class, not specific to Trilene's formulation.
Coating degradation and leaching
All surface coatings on monofilament degrade under UV and mechanical stress. Without disclosure of coating additives (dyes, UV absorbers, slip agents), leaching potential cannot be fully assessed, but surface treatment breakdown is inevitable over typical fishing line lifespan.
UV absorber or dye additives (unspecified)
Green-dyed or low-visibility lines often contain azo dyes or aromatic UV absorbers to achieve color and fade resistance. Trilene does not specify these, so additive safety (allergens, heavy metals in pigments) is not publicly verifiable.
Entanglement and wildlife harm (non-chemical)
Discarded or lost monofilament fishing line is a well-documented wildlife entanglement hazard. This is not a chemical hazard but a physical persistence issue inherent to nylon; proper disposal is essential.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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 & Fishing Tackle
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.