Trilene Fishing Line Xt 12lb Green Low Visibility
Skip unless coating composition is verified with manufacturer.
Monofilament nylon with undisclosed coating composition. No PFAS claims, third-party verification, or coating identity available.
The better-graded swap
Stren
Stren Original Monofilament Fishing Line, Clear/Blue Fluorescent, 17 lb Test Strength, 1000 yd
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
Monofilament nylon (coated, unspecified treatment)
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
Low-visibility monofilament coatings commonly use Teflon-family coating or fluorinated additives in the fishing industry, though Trilene does not disclose this. No public testing of this specific product for PFAS has been located; risk is inferred from industry practice, not confirmed.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding during use and storage
Monofilament nylon sheds microparticles as the coating abrades against guides, knots, and water. Scientific literature documents nylon fishing line as a source of aquatic microplastics; this is a known characteristic of the material class, not specific to Trilene's formulation.
Coating degradation and leaching
All surface coatings on monofilament degrade under UV and mechanical stress. Without disclosure of coating additives (dyes, UV absorbers, slip agents), leaching potential cannot be fully assessed, but surface treatment breakdown is inevitable over typical fishing line lifespan.
UV absorber or dye additives (unspecified)
Green-dyed or low-visibility lines often contain azo dyes or aromatic UV absorbers to achieve color and fade resistance. Trilene does not specify these, so additive safety (allergens, heavy metals in pigments) is not publicly verifiable.
Entanglement and wildlife harm (non-chemical)
Discarded or lost monofilament fishing line is a well-documented wildlife entanglement hazard. This is not a chemical hazard but a physical persistence issue inherent to nylon; proper disposal is essential.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Trilene XT is extruded monofilament nylon (likely nylon 6 or nylon 66), a synthetic polymer with an unspecified surface treatment applied to reduce visibility and improve handling. The coating composition is not disclosed by the brand, which is the primary concern, low-visibility fishing lines are often treated with Teflon-family coating, UV absorbers, or other surface coatings that may contain PFAS or other leachable additives. Nylon itself is stable under normal fishing conditions, but the coating degrades over time through abrasion and UV exposure, releasing microparticles into aquatic environments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Trilene (owned by Berkley, a Rapala subsidiary) does not publicly disclose coating formulations, PFAS content, or third-party testing for fishing lines. The brand has no known published environmental or chemical safety certifications for this product line. Industry-wide, fishing line manufacturers rarely volunteer PFAS or coating composition data, and Trilene follows this norm without transparent commitment to phasing out PFAS or disclosing coating composition timelines.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament fishing lines are the dominant and most affordable option; they degrade faster than braided alternatives but are simpler to handle. Trilene XT is a mid-range consumer product without third-party certification (e.g., no eco-label or PFAS-free claims). Comparable brands (Stren, Suffix) offer similarly opaque coating information. Lines marketed explicitly as PFAS-free or with environmental certifications (limited availability) provide better transparency, though cost is higher.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place to slow UV degradation and coating breakdown. Replace line annually or when visibility decreases, as degradation releases microparticles. Do not incinerate or flush spent line; place in trash or proper waste stream to prevent aquatic contamination. Wash hands after handling to remove any loose coating particles. Consider switching to a branded PFAS-free or certified monofilament alternative if environmental persistence is a concern for you.
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
- Trilene 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.