Shimano · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Shimano Core G9 Braided Fishing Line Dark Mocha / 15lb / 165yds
Braided polyethylene and nylon line with no coating on record.
This braided fishing line is made from polyethylene and nylon, materials not linked to PFAS. No water-repellent finish or Teflon-family coating appears on record. Shimano has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Braided polyethylene/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.
Microplastics
Braided line abrades over time and can shed fibers into water; this is an environmental concern (microplastics persistence) rather than a direct consumer health hazard, but relevant to product lifecycle impact.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Polyethylene leaching
Polyethylene is hydrophobic and chemically inert in water; no established data shows migration of polymer segments or additives into freshwater or saltwater under normal fishing conditions.
Heavy metals
Dark mocha coloring typically uses carbon black or organic dyes in braided line; no recalls or testing data for Shimano Core G9 indicate cadmium, lead, or other metals in the dye package.
Source, FDA ↗Nylon core or backing contamination
Some braided lines use nylon as a backing material; if present, nylon can leach trace plasticizers, but Shimano does not disclose core composition and no specific test results are available for this SKU.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Shimano Core G9 is a braided line composed of polyethylene (PE) fibers, a thermoplastic polymer that is chemically stable and resistant to water degradation. Braided construction uses tightly woven fibers rather than a single extruded strand, which improves strength and reduces the surface area available for leaching. Unlike monofilament lines, braided PE does not soften significantly in freshwater or saltwater within normal fishing temperatures, and polyethylene itself does not release known endocrine disruptors like BPA.
The brand's record and disclosure
Shimano is a major fishing tackle manufacturer with no documented product recalls related to chemical safety in braided line. The company has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing or certification for this product line, and does not appear to have issued statements on intentional PFAS use in fishing gear. Industry-wide, many braided lines have been tested or claimed PFAS-free by competitors, but Shimano's specific stance on fluorinated treatments is unknown. No formal third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex) are listed for fishing line in this category.
How it compares in its category
Braided polyethylene lines are considered lower-risk alternatives to nylon monofilament, which can leach trace amounts of additives in freshwater over time. Shimano Core G9 competes with similar PE braids from Daiwa and SpiderWire; all three are mainstream choices with comparable material chemistry. Braided lines are preferred by professional anglers partly because they avoid the plasticizer and UV-stabilizer load of monofilament. Price and durability are the main differentiators in this segment; chemical safety profiles are broadly equivalent across major brands.
If you buy it
Braided line does not require special handling beyond standard fishing practice. Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use to remove salt deposits, which can accelerate backing material degradation if the line is stored wet. Replace the line annually or after heavy use, as abrasion (not chemical breakdown) is the primary failure mode. Storage in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight extends spool life; UV exposure degrades polyethylene over months or years of shelf storage.
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
- Shimano has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing tackle & gear 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.