Thirty Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 Hi all, I am a long time lurker first time poster. I've learned a lot reading these boards and I certainly owe you guys a debt of gratitude as I've undoubtably caught more fish because of things I've read here and applied while fishing. One of the most helpful posts to me so far has been Roadwarrior's excellent post on basic Senko technique ("Guaranteed to Catch a Bass...") I've been employing the method laid out in that post at my local lake to a good degree of success--all the more impressive because this lake can be notoriously difficult. So huge thanks to Roadwarrior in particular for that. As productive as this technique has been, I believe I am still missing some strikes. I rely on my eyes more than feel (super cheap rod anyway), but I can only see my line about 25-50% of the time. Either it sinks just below the surface and I lose sight of all but the line coming from my rod tip, or it stays above but blends in so much with the water that I can't see it. Be it from the glare when it is sunny, or the lack of light when overcast. Outside of a small sweet spot in perfect lighting, and when it doesn't sink, I often just can't see my line. Which brings me to my question... What is your preferred line when you have to line-watch to detect strikes? Are you using a colored line, or clear? I am currently using Yo Zuri Hybrid 6#, which I have replaced my previous P-Line CX with. Honestly I could see the P-Line better than the Yo Zuri, both are clear. I've even read about some guys using braid with a 15 foot flouro leader so the line is easier to watch. I'd considered trying out some Hi-Viz Powerpro in bright yellow, but I'm not sure if that would be a workable solution or an expensive experiment. Which I'm OK with too but wanted to get the thoughts of some folks that know this sport better than I do first. What do you guys think? Cheers, thirty Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 I fish braid with a leader on all but just a few of my combos. I'd say 1/2 of those have #30 power pro hi vis. For me it does help with some of what you mentioned. You can also take a green sharpie and use it to color a desired length of your braid if you're worried about the fish seeing it. Quote
PennBass Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 I had the same problem as you do, especially when it was windy out. My solution was to buy Sufix 832 braid in the bright yellow color: super visible, even in low light conditions, plus abrasion resistance and sensitivity is much better than non-braided lines. I don't use a fluoro or mono leader, and haven't found that it effects my catch rate, even when the water is relatively clear. Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Braid to a fc leader with the braid colored darker at times right at the splice works well. Also have used the Vanish Transition line that changes to gold or a red color in sunlight without any problems as I always check my line to make sure there isn't any bad spots. Lots of members on here have used yellow for sight fishing as well. I just prefer to use the braid I have as most of it has faded to a lighter color anyways. Quote
Super User Darren. Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Welcome aboard! For me, yellow PowerPro + a leader. Great for my "old" eyes. 1 Quote
Thirty Posted November 30, 2015 Author Posted November 30, 2015 Thanks for the response guys! I'll probably make a high visibility color of braid my next move. Are you guys using mono for backing so the braid doesn't slip on the reel spool or is that unnecessary? Quote
Super User gulfcaptain Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 I fill my reel with mono and only put between 100-125yrds of braid on my reels. Last reel I spooled (25 size EXO) I was trying a new braid and didn't even get the whole 150yrd spool on my spinning reel (10lb braid) No need to put on more then 100-125yrds of braid. Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Thanks for the response guys! I'll probably make a high visibility color of braid my next move. Are you guys using mono for backing so the braid doesn't slip on the reel spool or is that unnecessary? Yes, using some mono as backing gives the braid something to bite into. Backing can also be utilized to to fill the spool about 40% so you don't waste an entire spool of braid on 1 reel. I spool 5 reels with a 300 yard spool of braid. 1 Quote
Super User soflabasser Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 Berkeley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Line.My favorite line to use for most applications. Quote
bigfruits Posted November 30, 2015 Posted November 30, 2015 As productive as this technique has been, I believe I am still missing some strikes. I rely on my eyes more than feel (super cheap rod anyway), but I can only see my line about 25-50% of the time. Either it sinks just below the surface and I lose sight of all but the line coming from my rod tip, or it stays above but blends in so much with the water that I can't see it. What is your preferred line when you have to line-watch to detect strikes? Are you using a colored line, or clear? when you said that it sinks below the surface, are you keeping the line semi slack when fishing senkos? you are looking at the line right where it enters the water. rod tip up and lower as the bait sinks, just enough to not affect its verticle fall. please excuse me if i misunderstood your issue. ill echo the yellow braid with flouro leader. id probably use 15lb power pro. cheap/old mono backing will keep the line from slipping as well as save line. feels weird when it slides on the spool, i thought the drag was broken. Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted November 30, 2015 Super User Posted November 30, 2015 I agree with Yak,Yellow power pro and flouro leader. Quote
SNK Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 I use Suffix 832 in Yellow. I darken the last 4-5 ft with green marker (more for me than the fish). Quote
tander Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 Just ordered some Power Pro yellow braid for my spinning reel. Old eyes just can't see as good as they use to. Quote
ohhbaby44 Posted December 1, 2015 Posted December 1, 2015 Berkley Big Game backing to about 90-100 yards of Power Pro 12# Yellow to 24-36" Seaguar Red Label 8# Flouro. I like a longer leader sometimes if I'm fishing lakes with a lot of Northern Pike. Just helps because they break off all day and then you don't always have to retie a leader. Quote
Thirty Posted December 1, 2015 Author Posted December 1, 2015 Awesome, thanks everyone. I'm going to try it out. Yes, using some mono as backing gives the braid something to bite into. Backing can also be utilized to to fill the spool about 40% so you don't waste an entire spool of braid on 1 reel. I spool 5 reels with a 300 yard spool of braid. This is a really good point--cost effective! Quote
Super User new2BC4bass Posted December 2, 2015 Super User Posted December 2, 2015 I've been wanting to try the Hi Vis yellow braid. I have some 832 Ghost on one spinning rod that is pretty easy to see. I'm a big fan of Sufix Siege Neon Tangerine. Quote
Super User FryDog62 Posted December 2, 2015 Super User Posted December 2, 2015 I actually prefer Ghost (white) over high viz yellow. In bright sun especially I think Ghost is easier to see... Quote
SMITTY0045 Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 Sufix makes a good hi vis braid that I use. Its a florescent orange and it is very easy to see in all lighting. Highly recommend. Quote
Super User Catt Posted December 3, 2015 Super User Posted December 3, 2015 I prefer to rely on feel more than sight. You will miss many bites due to no line movement! Quote
tholmes Posted December 3, 2015 Posted December 3, 2015 Berkeley Trilene Big Game Monofilament Line.My favorite line to use for most applications. ^ Yep! I use the "Solar" color for line-watching applications and clear for everything else. Tom Quote
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