Shakespeare Omniflex Monofilament Fishing Line- 250 Yards, 20 Lb
Lower concern product, but brand transparency on PFAS absent.
Nylon monofilament fishing line presents lower inherent PFAS risk compared to coated or Teflon-family coating products. Shakespeare offers no PFAS transparency.
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.
Nylon polymer degradation and UV instability
Monofilament nylon can become brittle and weak over time when exposed to sunlight and air; this is a functional failure risk rather than a direct toxicity hazard, but degraded fragments in water pose wildlife entanglement risk.
Microplastic shedding in aquatic environments
All monofilament fishing line eventually fragments in water and contributes to microplastic pollution; this is an environmental concern shared across the category rather than a consumer health risk specific to this brand.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Undisclosed manufacturing additives (UV stabilizers, pigments, antioxidants)
No specific toxic additives have been reported in Shakespeare Omniflex monofilament; however, the brand does not publish ingredient lists or certifications that would rule out heavy metals in colorants or problematic stabilizers used during extrusion.
Heavy metals
Shakespeare Omniflex comes in standard colors (typically clear, green, brown); no recalls or testing results document heavy metal contamination in pigments, but third-party verification is absent.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shakespeare Omniflex is extruded nylon monofilament, a single continuous polymer strand designed for tensile strength and low visibility in water. Nylon (polyamide) does not inherently leach toxic additives into aquatic environments under normal fishing conditions, unlike some other polymers. The material is chemically stable at room temperature and during typical use (casting, retrieving, storage). Concern arises only if the line is heated well above normal conditions or if manufacturing additives (UV stabilizers, colorants) included problematic substances, which is not documented for this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shakespeare (owned by Pure Fishing, a major tackle manufacturer) does not publicly disclose PFAS content in fishing lines or provide third-party testing results for this product. The brand has no known environmental certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, EU Ecolabel) for its monofilament range. No recalls or safety warnings specific to Shakespeare Omniflex monofilament are on record. The brand's silence on PFAS and chemical inputs reflects industry-wide opacity rather than a unique red flag.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament nylon is the conventional choice for recreational fishing and carries similar chemical profiles across brands (Berkley, Trilene, Spiderwire, etc.). Fluorocarbon alternatives offer lower water visibility but may carry higher PFAS risk due to fluorine chemistry. Braided lines (polyethylene-based) have different durability but similar lack of transparency on additives. Shakespeare Omniflex occupies the mainstream/budget tier; no data suggests it differs materially from competitors in hazard profile.
If you buy it
Store the spool in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation and potential brittleness over years of storage. Do not heat, burn, or subject the line to temperatures above 60-70°C, as thermal stress could degrade the polymer or volatilize additives. Replace the line if it shows visible discoloration, cracking, or reduced strength after heavy use or extended storage. Dispose of spent line responsibly (recycling programs exist in some regions); do not leave it in aquatic ecosystems, where it poses entanglement and ingestion risks to wildlife independent of chemical hazards.
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.