825 Yards of Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament 12 LB Test Clear Blue Fluorescent Fishing Line / 12 Pound Shakespear
Nylon monofilament carries minimal PFAS concern.
Basic nylon monofilament fishing line without typical PFAS-related treatments. Manufacturer remains silent on chemical composition.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nylon monofilament 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.
Degradation byproducts
Extended UV exposure and water immersion cause nylon to release small quantities of oligomers and monomers as it breaks down. These byproducts are not classified as acute hazards, but ingestion via contaminated water is theoretically possible in extreme scenarios; this is not a consumer-use risk during normal fishing.
Microplastic generation
Monofilament fishing line is a documented source of microplastic pollution when lost or discarded in aquatic environments. This is an environmental rather than direct-use hazard, but discarded line should never enter waterways.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Azo dyes (colorant safety)
Azo dyes in monofilament lines are regulated and non-toxic in non-food contact use. No adverse health effects are documented from handling colored fishing line. The fluorescent blue dye in this product is external and does not leach into water or skin under normal handling.
Heavy metals
Fishing line colorants are typically organic compounds rather than pigments containing cadmium or lead. No recalls or test results indicating heavy metal contamination in Shakespeare monofilament have been published.
Source, FDA ↗Mold or bacterial growth (storage)
Nylon monofilament is resistant to microbial colonization. No moisture-related safety issues are documented for stored or wet fishing line from major manufacturers.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament is extruded nylon (polyamide) fishing line, a synthetic polymer widely used in the fishing industry since the 1930s. Nylon monofilament does not require the chemical additives (like fluorine compounds or heavy stabilizers) that create hazard profiles in coated cookware or treated textiles. The fluorescent blue dye is a colorant added during extrusion; standard colorants in fishing line are azo dyes, which carry minimal risk in non-food contact applications. This material degrades slowly in water and sunlight, which is why line replacement is recommended annually for frequent users.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of Newell Brands) does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or third-party certifications for monofilament fishing line products. The company has no documented chemical safety recalls or public controversies specific to monofilament lines. Their silence on PFAS in fishing tackle is typical of the fishing industry, where transparency remains limited even as PFAS awareness grows in outdoor gear. No independent laboratory testing has been publicly disclosed for this specific product's chemical composition.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament is the entry-level and most popular fishing line choice, with fewer chemical additives than specialty alternatives (fluorocarbon, braided, or coated lines). Fluorocarbon lines contain additional stabilizers and require more processing; braided lines may use epoxy or polyurethane coatings that introduce chemical complexity. Shakespeare Sigma is a mid-tier monofilament with typical tensile strength and abrasion resistance for recreational use. Most major brands (Berkley, Spiderwire, Sufix) use comparable nylon formulations with equally sparse public safety disclosure.
If you buy it
Store the line spool indoors away from direct sunlight to slow UV degradation and maintain strength; exposure to heat above 140°F (60°C) can degrade nylon performance but is unlikely during normal storage or use. Replace the line annually or after heavy use, as weakened line poses a functional (breakage) rather than chemical risk. Dispose of spent line as waste, not in water; monofilament does not biodegrade and can entangle wildlife. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin, as friction and any residual dyes can cause minor irritation in rare cases.
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
- Shakespeare 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.