Question regarding line color

[NorthernBasser]

So, I've always fished mono. Last year I started using braid on my frog rod. And this year I'd like to dabble in fluoro and/or coploy lines.

 

Now, I've always heard (for mono at least) that the green line is better for stained/muddy water, and clear line is better suited for clear water. 

 

Now, here's what I always questioned. In stained/dirty water, it's best to use black/dark lures, since they're more visible to the fish. Well if that's the case, wouldn't the green mono be more visible to the fish in stained/muddy water than the clear mono? 

 

Also, why don't anybody make green fluorocarbon? Is it not necessary because clear fluoro is pretty much invisible in stained and clear waters? 

[CroakHunter]

Sunline fc sniper has a green option. 

[Chance_Taker4]

I use plain old clear line for all my lines except braid. For braid I use Hi-Vis Pink. I use pink because I saw a video on line color and showed that in clear water pink becomes invisible faster than any other colored line. Then I read an article a few months later from Jordan Lee who said he uses straight pink braid for the same reason. I have had no issues with pink braid or clear fluoro in strained or clear water.

 

[NYWayfarer]

10 minutes ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

For braid I use Hi-Vis Pink. I use pink because I saw a video on line color and showed that in clear water pink becomes invisible faster than any other colored line.

Interesting. I will have to try the pink.

 

I had heard similar things about red line being hard to see in shallow water (3' or less) due to where the color red falls in the spectrum. I bought Cajun red line back then after performing my own experiment at home in my aquarium. I used a red flashlight to observe my catfishes nocturnal habits. In a completely dark room with only the red flashlight he would come out of hiding and swim around. Pull the red lens off and expose the fish to white light and he swam for cover. 

 

I can't say the red line helped me catch anymore fish though. 

[Choporoz]

Except for 'moving baits', like spinnerbaits and crankbaits, my overriding consideration regarding visibility is whether or not I can see my line.  I've not been too concerned about what a fish sees....for a couple reasons:

-I'm convinced that we may never know what a bass sees, as far as color

-And even if we do, we won't know how a bass responds to line he/she sees -- was one old pro years ago (I forget who) that said repeatedly that he WANTED bass to see his line - that he believed they follow it down to the lure oftentimes

-I just haven't found that it makes a difference to the fishing effectiveness; however, I HAVE found that whether or not I can see the line makes a huge difference to my effectiveness

[Chance_Taker4]

3 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

Interesting. I will have to try the pink. 

Here is one of the videos I watched.

[Choporoz]

3 minutes ago, NYWayfarer said:

I had heard similar things about red line being hard to see in shallow water (3' or less) due to where the color red falls in the spectrum.

I've heard that, too.  I've also heard that you have to use red hooks on your crankbaits....or red on some other baits....to attract a bite....blood in the water, or something.....so they can't see it AND they key on it...huh?

[junyer357]

I do it diffrent. I dont overthink my line choices. 

Braid is all yellow, for line watching, often with a flouro leader of diffrent sizes depending in application. 

Clear is flouro

Green is mono

 I buy bulk 1000yd spools of mono and flouro. I normally only keep 10# or 12# test of each. I keep the mono green, so when i go with someone else and only bring 5 rods or so, i double up on what rod i thow diffrent baits on, instead of bringing 15+ rods. IE my spinnerbait rod then doubles as a buzzbait or chatterbait rod. 

With the diffrent color lines, i instantly know what line is on each rod, and dont have to rely on memory. Keeps me from trying to throw a pop-r on a crankbait rod with flouro, it does not pop well. 

[BrackishBassin]

32 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I've heard that, too.  I've also heard that you have to use red hooks on your crankbaits....or red on some other baits....to attract a bite....blood in the water, or something.....so they can't see it AND they key on it...huh?

Same thing for coloring your line black with a sharpie. Somehow it makes it less visible when you color your line black, but you use black baits at night/muddy water because the bass can see them better. It’s magic...

[A-Jay]

 

I've used Green Big Game Mono for everything for a LOOOONG time.

Caught fish doing it.

Then suddenly a few years back - "They" said, all bass have became 'line shy' -

Never could understand or explain why.

Still, strangely enough, that dern green mono still kept right on catching fish ~ how can that be ?

The world may never know.

 

BTW - Is there a line that doesn't catch fish ?  

 

 

[Log Catcher]

To answer A Jays question several years ago when red was all the rage I fished with a fellow that tried some red fishing line. He could not catch a fish until he got rid of it and back to clear line. I like the green line but I mostly use clear in mono and floro. I have never tried any braid.

[onenutinthewater]

37 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

I've used Green Big Game Mono for everything for a LOOOONG time.

Caught fish doing it.

Then suddenly a few years back - "They" said, all bass have became 'line shy' -

Never could understand or explain why.

Still, strangely enough, that dern green mono still keep right on catching fish ~ how can that be ?

The world may never know.

 

BTW - Is there a line that doesn't catch fish ?  

 

 

Fish ain't stupid they can do their own research on the internet!

Back in the old days they were not as smart and easier to catch but with today's technology they are just not that far behind us humans...........

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

To answer A Jays question several years ago when red was all the rage I fished with a fellow that tried some red fishing line. He could not catch a fish until he got rid of it and back to clear line. I like the green line but I mostly use clear in mono and floro. I have never tried any braid.

Yea - I was mostly being facetious.

Never did try the red line myself.  Besides being happy with what I was using - the red did seem a bit wacky to me.

But I bet it'd work at night ~ 

A-Jay

[Deleted account]

9 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Now, here's what I always questioned. In stained/dirty water, it's best to use black/dark lures, since they're more visible to the fish. Well if that's the case, wouldn't the green mono be more visible to the fish in stained/muddy water than the clear mono?  

 

Green isn't a "dark" color, in fact it's nearly in the middle of the visible spectrum, additionally in greenish water it camouflages with its surroundings.

 

Also, why don't anybody make green fluorocarbon? Is it not necessary because clear fluoro is pretty much invisible in stained and clear waters?  

 

There are some green fluoro carbon lines, but when your marketing approach is "it disappears in water", adding colors might muddy (pun intended) the pitch. 

 

 

[Log Catcher]

I have never tried Big Game mono. The fellow I mentioned used it . I don't remember if it was 12 or 15 pound he used but he spent as much time picking out birds nests as he did fishing.

[jbmaine]

I've always wondered why fish can be so particular about line color, but have no trouble ignoring the unnatural look of all the hooks hanging off the lures.

[Deleted account]

36 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

I have never tried Big Game mono. The fellow I mentioned used it . I don't remember if it was 12 or 15 pound he used but he spent as much time picking out birds nests as he did fishing.

If someone can't cast any 12-15 mono without backlashing, a set of Taylormades® might be a better option, but then again, he'd probably find every bunker...

[roadwarrior]

I like the line color to compliment my rod & reel. Otherwise, I REALLY don't think it matters.

 

[Mike L]

With all the things we need to consider to be successful, now we debate if our line should be pink, yellow, green, smoke, clear etc???

 

People were catching fish long before someone figured out none should have been caught because they're too afraid of the color of the line !!

 

C' Mon Guys...

 

Sorry, continue on and don't mind me...

 

 

 

Mike

 

[NorthernBasser]

Obviously any line color can and will catch fish. But do certain colors catch more fish? Do certain colors make fish more hesitant to commit? That's the $100,000 question.

[Scott F]

8 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Obviously any line color can and will catch fish. But do certain colors catch more fish? Do certain colors make fish more hesitant to commit? That's the $100,000 question.

I’ve said this many times before. I don’t believe that a bass has the mental capacity to reason. They just aren’t smart enough to figure out that the line connected to your bait makes it something to avoid. If they had that ability, they should also reason that treble hooks also should not be hanging from their food. Too many fish have been caught on lines that are visible for me to be concerned that I have the “right” color line. 

[J Francho]

It depends on their activity level.  Some days, just your line landing on the water over their heads causes them to scatter.  Other days they come scorching fast from 20' away as soon as your bait splashes down.  I'll be tying direct to braid, and not getting bites.  Switch to a leader, and the bites start.  Is it the line?  Who knows.  If you can figure what adjustment to make so you're not negatively affecting the bite, then your really doing something.

[Team9nine]

There's another thread going on how overwhelming the "science" of fishing can be. Line color and its effects are no different in that regard if you dig into the published studies and written material. Unless you want to be changing lines constantly, literally by the hour and the water and weather conditions encountered and the techniques used, it's best to just pick something you're comfortable throwing in your waters and go with it. Like everything in bass fishing, there is no right or "best" answer (specific material or color in this case) that acts as an absolute on the subject.

[LxVE Bassin]

6 hours ago, Chance_Taker4 said:

I use plain old clear line for all my lines except braid. For braid I use Hi-Vis Pink. I use pink because I saw a video on line color and showed that in clear water pink becomes invisible faster than any other colored line. Then I read an article a few months later from Jordan Lee who said he uses straight pink braid for the same reason. I have had no issues with pink braid or clear fluoro in strained or clear water.

 

Interesting, who makes pink braid? I want to give it a try.

[optimator]

I've caught a lot of fish over the years using green Ande mono.