TRILENE BIG GAME vs Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Spinning Reel: which is safer?
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Spinning Reel is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Berkley
TRILENE BIG GAME
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 63/100
Verdict
Buy with care
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
monofilament nylon fishing line
Confidence
72%
LikelyUV degradation and embrittlement
PossibleMicroplastic release during use
Our pick
Ugly Stik
Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ugly Tuff Spinning Reel
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 77/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Anodized aluminum spool, stainless steel bail, graphite composite body
Confidence
72%
PossibleAnodized aluminum coating degradation
PossibleLubricant or grease additives
Where these two actually differ
- We flag UV degradation and embrittlement and Microplastic release during use on the Berkley and not on the Ugly Stik.
- We flag Anodized aluminum coating degradation and Lubricant or grease additives on the Ugly Stik and not on the Berkley.
- The Berkley is monofilament nylon fishing line where the Ugly Stik is Anodized aluminum spool, stainless steel bail, graphite composite body, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More fishing line: see the full ranking