Berkley FireLine · Fishing Line
Berkley FireLine Fishing Line, Smoke, 4 lb Test Strength, 1500 yd
Skip. Fishing line coating composition unknown, PFAS risk unclear.
Berkley FireLine uses a proprietary coating formula that remains undisclosed to the public. No PFAS testing or claims exist, creating high uncertainty.
The better-graded swap
Cortland
Cortland Monofilament Leader Material
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Braided synthetic fiber with proprietary coating
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
PFAS
The proprietary resin coating is not chemically characterized in public records. Fluorinated compounds are common in low-friction coatings for fishing line but presence in FireLine is unconfirmed. Risk of ingestion or dermal exposure is low during normal fishing use but unknown if line is chewed, mouthed by children, or burned.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from coating wear
Braided synthetic line with applied coatings can shed microscopic particles during use, particularly at knots or when abraded against rod guides. These particles may enter waterways but represent a minor contribution to overall aquatic microplastic load; personal exposure is negligible.
Lack of third-party testing or certification
No public chemical safety testing, PFAS screening, or environmental certification is available for this product. Consumer reliance on brand reputation is the only available assurance, which is weak for an undisclosed formulation.
Ingestion risk if swallowed (children, pets)
Fishing line is a documented choking and intestinal blockage hazard for children and pets if ingested; this is not a chemical toxicity issue but a mechanical hazard specific to the physical form. Store out of reach of young children and pets.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Berkley FireLine is a braided polyethylene core with a proprietary resin coating designed to improve handling, casting distance, and abrasion resistance. The fiber material itself (polyethylene) is chemically inert and not a leaching concern in typical freshwater fishing use. However, the coating composition is not publicly disclosed, and coatings on fishing line historically may contain fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to achieve low-friction, water-repellent properties, though Berkley has not confirmed or denied this for FireLine specifically.
The brand's record and disclosure
Berkley (owned by Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Rapala VMC) has not published transparency statements or third-party certifications regarding PFAS content in FireLine or other products. The brand has no known product recalls related to toxicity or chemical safety in this product line. Public safety data sheets and ingredient disclosure for fishing line are uncommon across the industry, making independent verification of coating chemistry difficult.
How it compares in its category
FireLine is a mid-to-premium braided synthetic line positioned against monofilament (single-strand nylon) and other braided alternatives. Unlike monofilament, braided lines require coatings to function effectively, making them universally reliant on proprietary surface treatments of unknown composition. Most fishing line manufacturers do not disclose coating chemistry, so FireLine's opacity is industry-standard rather than unusually evasive.
If you buy it
Fishing line does not directly contact food, skin for extended periods, or drinking water in typical use, so migration of coating compounds is a lower-order concern than with cookware or food storage. Rinse line after saltwater use to remove salt and extend coating durability. Store in a cool, dry place away from UV light to slow degradation. Replace line annually or when visible fraying, discoloration, or loss of tension occurs. Do not incinerate used line; dispose in household waste.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Berkley FireLine has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Fishing Line
Berkley
TRILENE BIG GAME
monofilament nylon fishing line
UV degradation and embrittlement
High concern
Microplastic release during use
Limited concern
Low concern for standard monofilament with no coating triggers.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Berkley
Trilene Big Game Braid
Braided polyethylene fishing line
Polyethylene microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Low concern; braided polyethylene is not a typical PFAS application.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Berkley
Trilene XT Monofilament Fishing Line
Nylon monofilament (extruded polymer)
Nylon polymer degradation and microplastic release
Limited concern
UV stabilizer additives in polymer matrix
Limited concern
Skin irritation or eye contact from monofilament filament
Moderate concern
Low concern for basic nylon line without water-repellent coating or special coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.