825 Yards of Shakespeare Sigma Premium Monofilament 20 LB Test Clear Blue Fluorescent Fishing Line / 20 Pound Shakespear
Nylon monofilament carries minimal PFAS concern.
Standard nylon monofilament fishing line without intentional PFAS coatings. The material presents lower risk than waterproofed or coated alternatives.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Monofilament nylon 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.
Azo dyes in colorant
Fluorescent blue coloring likely uses azo dyes, which are chemically bound in the polymer. Established aquatic toxicity literature exists for azo dyes in general, but once cured into nylon they do not leach significantly during normal use. Risk is primarily end-of-life environmental persistence.
Nylon polymer degradation and microplastic shedding
Monofilament nylon degrades over time through UV exposure and mechanical abrasion (friction against rocks, guides, other lines). Fine fragments can shed into water, contributing to microplastic pollution. This is an established concern for all monofilament fishing lines but occurs over months to years, not immediately.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No published data suggests lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Shakespeare monofilament fluorescent dyes. Standard azo-based UV dyes in fishing line do not require heavy metal catalysts. No recalls or warnings are on record for this product.
Source, FDA ↗Skin contact or ingestion during handling
Finished monofilament nylon does not off-gas or leach compounds into skin or mucous membranes under normal handling. No irritation or sensitization incidents are documented. Risk is physical (abrasion from sharp line) rather than chemical.
Water leachates from nylon during storage
Nylon monofilament is hydrophobic and chemically resistant to water. Storage in wet conditions does not cause leaching of monomers or additives. No toxicological data suggests risk from contact with line stored in damp environments.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shakespeare Sigma Premium is extruded nylon monofilament, a single continuous polymer strand designed for strength and low visibility in water. Monofilament nylon is inert in its finished form and does not leach into water under normal fishing conditions. The blue fluorescent colorant is a UV-reactive dye added to the polymer during extrusion; such dyes in fishing line are typically azo-based but are chemically bound within the nylon matrix and do not migrate into aquatic environments at meaningful levels during use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing) does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or certification documents for consumer fishing line products. No recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this product line. The company has not made public statements about PFAS testing or avoidance in monofilament, which is typical for the fishing tackle industry.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament nylon is the baseline fishing line material and carries minimal chemical concerns compared to braided lines (which may contain fluorocarbon coatings or other additives). Shakespeare's Sigma line is mid-range in the consumer market; premium competitors rarely disclose additional safety advantages. All monofilament lines pose the same end-of-life environmental concern, they persist in aquatic ecosystems and should be disposed of in household trash, not water.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation and brittleness; nylon can become stiff and crack over time. Replace the line annually or after visible damage, abrasion, or reduced strength. Do not heat monofilament deliberately; nylon has a melting point around 260 Celsius but can soften and degrade under sustained heat or friction. Dispose of old line in trash; never discard in water or where wildlife can access it.
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.