X5 Braid Line vs ATS Trolling Reel: which is safer?
Shakespeare ATS Trolling Reel is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Berkley
X5 Braid Line
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Good 63/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 4
Material
braided polyethylene fishing line
Confidence
72%
PossibleMicroplastic shedding from fiber degradation
ReportedUV degradation and embrittlement
PossibleMold and bacterial colonization
Our pick
Shakespeare
ATS Trolling Reel
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 77/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Aluminum spool, graphite composite body, stainless steel components
Confidence
72%
PossibleGraphite particulate shedding
PossibleBearing or lubrication contamination (non-chemical)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Microplastic shedding from fiber degradation, UV degradation and embrittlement, Mold and bacterial colonization and Surfactant or processing residues in braiding lubricants on the Berkley and not on the Shakespeare.
- We flag Graphite particulate shedding and Bearing or lubrication contamination (non-chemical) on the Shakespeare and not on the Berkley.
- The Berkley is braided polyethylene fishing line where the Shakespeare is Aluminum spool, graphite composite body, stainless steel components, 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 tackle & gear: see the full ranking