Bass Pro Shops Review, Is Bass Pro Shops Non-Toxic?
Across 8 graded products, Bass Pro Shops averages Good (66/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 5 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Worth buying from Bass Pro Shops Good or better, best-graded first
Bass Pro Shops
Excel Monofilament Line
Nylon monofilament fishing line
Heavy metals
Nylon production may involve trace metal catalysts; Bass Pro Shops does not disclose…
Environmental persistence and wildlife hazard
Monofilament line does not degrade in natural environments for decades and poses…
Thermal degradation if mishandled
Burning or overheating nylon line releases isocyanates and other volatile organic…
Lower concern, monofilament typically nylon without treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bass Pro Shops
Excel Monofilament Line 330-Yard Spool
Nylon monofilament fishing line
PFAS
Nylon monofilament commonly contains fluorochemical additives to enhance water repellency…
Microplastic shedding
Nylon monofilament can degrade into microfibers when exposed to UV, friction, or…
Monofilament carries inherent PFAS risk, brand silent.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bass Pro Shops
CatMaxx Monofilament Fishing Line
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Nylon degradation and microfiber shedding
Monofilament nylon can fragment into microfibers under UV exposure, mechanical wear, and…
Chemical additives in nylon resin (not specified on label)
Nylon extrusion typically uses stabilizers, colorants, and UV absorbers to improve…
Wildlife entanglement and environmental persistence
Monofilament line poses a well-documented hazard to birds, turtles, and marine mammals if…
Skin irritation from handling uncut nylon filament
The sharp, fine edges of monofilament can cause minor cuts and irritation if drawn across…
Lower concern, verify material sourcing independently.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bass Pro Shops
XPS Braid Fishing Line
Braided polyethylene fishing line
Microplastic shedding on degradation
Braided polyethylene lines break down into small fibers over time, especially when…
Polymer additives (UV absorbers, pigments, antioxidants)
Braided PE lines typically contain additives to improve durability and color, but these…
PFAS
Some synthetic fishing lines may contain PFAS for water repellency or durability, though…
Lower PFAS concern, no brand disclosure available.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bass Pro Shops
XPS KVD Signature Series Fishing Line
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Monofilament entanglement and wildlife harm
Discarded or lost monofilament fishing line poses entanglement risk to birds, marine…
UV degradation and microparticle shedding
Prolonged sun exposure causes nylon monofilament to become brittle and fragment into…
Monofilament nylon fishing line with no water-repellent finish on record.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Bass Pro Shops
Ripcord Duffel Bag
polyester with unspecified water-resistant coating
PFAS
Water-resistant polyester duffels typically use water-repellent coating finishes; many…
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating or finishing
Water-resistant coatings and fabric finishes may off-gas VOCs, especially when new. Odor…
Skip until Bass Pro discloses coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Bass Pro Shops
Excel Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon polymer monofilament line
PFAS
Fluorocarbon monofilament inherently contains fluorine chemistry; degradation or leaching…
Microfiber shedding
Monofilament line can shed microscopic fibers when abraded against rocks, teeth, or…
Physical entanglement and choking hazard
Discarded or lost fishing line is a documented hazard to wildlife and aquatic life; this…
Fluorocarbon line likely contains PFAS, skip if concerned.
⚠Fluoropolymer coating
Bass Pro Shops
Excel Fluorocarbon Fishing Line
Fluorocarbon polymer fishing line
PFAS
Fluorocarbon fishing line is a PFAS polymer by definition (polyvinylidene fluoride or…
Microplastic fragmentation
Over time, fluorocarbon line can break, fray, or fragment in use or on the reel. These…
Water leachate during use
Although fluorocarbon is designed to resist degradation, prolonged contact with water may…
Skip, fluorocarbon line likely contains PFAS.
⚠Fluoropolymer coating
Bass Pro Shops and PFAS, common questions
- Does Bass Pro Shops have PFAS?
- We graded 8 Bass Pro Shops products, averaging Good (66/100). 5 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Bass Pro Shops non-toxic?
- Bass Pro Shops Excel Monofilament Line is the highest-graded Bass Pro Shops product we have scored, at 85/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Bass Pro Shops products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Bass Pro Shops products we have scored are Bass Pro Shops Excel Monofilament Line, Bass Pro Shops Excel Monofilament Line 330-Yard Spool, Bass Pro Shops CatMaxx Monofilament Fishing Line. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
- Which Bass Pro Shops products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Bass Pro Shops products we have scored are Bass Pro Shops Excel Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, Bass Pro Shops Excel Fluorocarbon Fishing Line, Bass Pro Shops Ripcord Duffel Bag. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →