Bass Pro Shops XPS Braid Fishing Line
Lower PFAS concern, no brand disclosure available.
Braided polyethylene fishing line typically lacks PFAS treatment. Bass Pro makes no public PFAS claims, though fishing lines rarely require coatings.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Braided polyethylene fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Microplastic shedding on degradation
Braided polyethylene lines break down into small fibers over time, especially when exposed to UV, heat, or abrasion. While this is a general environmental concern for any PE fishing line, no specific testing or quantification for XPS Braid exists in public literature.
Polymer additives (UV absorbers, pigments, antioxidants)
Braided PE lines typically contain additives to improve durability and color, but these are generally mild and inert in fresh or salt water. Bass Pro Shops does not disclose specific additive chemistry for XPS Braid, so the profile cannot be confirmed.
PFAS
Some synthetic fishing lines may contain PFAS for water repellency or durability, though braided PE is less likely to require fluorinated additives than monofilament nylon. This is assessed separately under PFAS grading; no specific testing disclosed for XPS Braid.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Dye or colorant leaching
Braided fishing lines use incorporated dyes that are bonded within the polymer matrix rather than surface-applied. No reported cases of color leaching from polyethylene fishing lines into water or fish tissue; risk is theoretical and very low.
Lead
Polyethylene manufacturing does not typically introduce heavy metals, and no recalls or reports of metal contamination in Bass Pro Shops fishing lines exist. Risk is negligible for this material class.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
XPS Braid is a braided polyethylene (PE) fishing line, meaning strands of plastic polymer are woven together rather than extruded as a single filament. Polyethylene is one of the most chemically stable, inert plastics in consumer use and does not leach additives into water under normal fishing conditions. The braided construction provides strength and abrasion resistance without requiring chemical coatings or stabilizers that would present additional exposure risks. Fishing line spends minimal time in contact with food or skin, further reducing ingestion or dermal hazard pathways.
The brand's record and disclosure
Bass Pro Shops does not publicly disclose ingredient composition or chemical testing results for fishing line products, which is typical for this retail category but limits transparency. No recalls, safety warnings, or documented chemical safety controversies have been published for this specific product line. The brand has not issued statements on PFAS presence or absence in fishing lines, despite PFAS being a known concern in some synthetic fishing gear. Absence of public disclosure does not indicate absence of risk assessment, only lack of communication to consumers.
How it compares in its category
Braided polyethylene lines are among the lowest-risk fishing line chemistries available; monofilament nylon lines, by contrast, often contain UV absorbers and plasticizers that can leach slowly. Fluorocarbon lines carry higher toxicity concerns due to chemical additives. The XPS Braid sits in the lower concern middle of the fishing line market in terms of chemical composition, though PFAS in the polymer itself remains an unresolved industry-wide issue affecting most synthetic fishing lines. Price point suggests standard commodity manufacturing with no premium safety certifications.
If you buy it
Fishing line is a low-contact consumer product with minimal practical safety measures needed; standard handling poses no recognized hazard. Do not heat, boil, or expose to prolonged direct sunlight (which degrades polyethylene over time and may accelerate any potential leaching, though minimal risk in water). Replace line annually or after heavy use, as microfiber degradation can occur and contribute to microplastic shedding into aquatic environments. Store away from extreme heat (above 120 degrees F) and UV light to preserve structural integrity.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Bass Pro Shops has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing line 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.