Braid Vs Fluoro In Clear Water

[Fairfield]

How big a deal is it to use fluoro line instead of braided line when fishing ponds with clear water?  Some say bass can see braided line and that may be an issue in clear water more than cloudy water.  Thanks.

[thehooligan]

You want your best chances of catching fish so its definitely best to use fluoro in clear water. Even better, braid with fluoro leader.

[moguy1973]

Depends on what lure you are using.  If it's a reaction bait such as an A-rig or crank bait or spinner bait or topwater lure, straight braid should be fine.  Think about it, the a-rig has huge visible wires and bass tear it up so they probably won't notice if it's tied on with braid.

 

If you are finesse fishing such as a jig or shakey head, then probably a more clear line such as flouro should be used.

[Patrick Morrow]

Typical answer would be to avoid using braid in clear water. However there are debates about how much difference it actually makes and will bass actually see and avoid attached braided line. Like thehooligan mentioned, braid with fluoro leader is great in-between choice.

[Angry John]

When I make the switch I am also using lighter line 6-10.

[Bluebasser86]

Depends on the location also. Bass in a highly pressured body of water are going to be a bit more line shy, while fish in a farm pond probably won't care. Of course fish in ultra clear lakes like Bull Shoals and Table Rock that get tons of pressure spend all winter eating the heavy wire arms of an A rig that are tied to 65lb braid or 25lb copolymer so maybe they don't care at all

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

How big a deal is it to use fluoro line instead of braided line when fishing ponds with clear water?  Some say bass can see braided line and that may be an issue in clear water more than cloudy water.  Thanks.

What is your definition of clear?

I use straight braid in water with 15 foot visibility with 20-22 foot depths has been a long time since I have been skunked on that lake. In other lakes clearly see bottom 6' deep. Caught my PB in very clear water deadsticking a senko white line nanofil. These lakes are public and heavily fished.

[Montanaro]

Makes no difference, it's really just a confidence thing for people.

[Jason Short]

If it's in a lightly pressured pond I wouldn't worry about the line. I fish a lot of highly pressured lakes and if I have braid on a rod I always use a fluoro leader.

[Sherlock 60]

The lakes I fish have about 10' visibility and I use braid with no leader all the time. I've tried using a fluro leader and it seemed to make no difference. Except that I had breakoffs for the first time ever!! Go with straight braid.

Generally I use 15 lb PowerPro or SpiderWire Stealth for spinning and 50 lb for baitcasting gear for frogs and jigs.

[FishTank]

I look at this way, if I can see it then the fish can see it.   I have tried braid as main line many time and FC has out fished in every instance except heavy coverage.  Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike braid, I just feel it is a technique specific line.

[SirSnookalot]

Don't recall ever seeing hooks hanging from the belly or tail of a live bait fish, yet fish of all species hit lures with hooks dangling.  I don't feel bass are the least bit line shy, I use leaders, not fc, for a bit of shock, break offs  and #1 reason is untangle from treble hooks. 

[corn-on-the-rob]

Will it always make a difference? no

 

Can it make a difference? yes

 

I personally like FC leaders when water is significantly clear especially because I use hi-vis yellow braid.

[Big Bait Fishing]

Makes no difference, it's really just a confidence thing for people.

What he said ^^^^^^

[Kyle46N]

We can debate the anecdotal evidence all we want, but the truth is we have no scientific evidence that a bass or any fish for that matter has the ability to see "line" attached to a potential food source, and determine that it's dangerous  or to stay away.   As a matter of fact, it's kind of ridiculous that I even used the word "determine".  The idea that a fish can do such is ridiculous.  Maaaayyyyybbbeee, the fish would instictively not eat the lure because there is something "different", but again, that's just anecdotal.   So, when you make that decision to go with one line over an other based off visibility, just understand that it really comes down to your confidence or preference, because the reality is, we just don't know.   On that note, my anecdotal experience is a wash.  I have caught fish on braid in very clear water, and sometimes I haven't.  There are way too many other variables that could have contributed to the catching or not catching.   We just can't account for all of them.  

[Ozark_Basser]

It is impossible to tell if bass mind the braid or not. I personally would rather go the route by saying they do and tie on a fluoro leader, just in case.