Least Visible Line?

[KSanford33]

I have a feeling the visibility of the line would depend on if the fish was looking up at your lure or looking down at it (although this may be completely wrong). If that's the case, what kind of line would be the least visible on the bottom?

[Cbump]

?

[Deleted account]

Something close to the color of the background would be the least visible most of the time, but line visibility and bass fishing belongs in the same place as reel drag conversations...

[islandbass]

Based on refractive index, I would guess fluoro carbon. I think you are giving the fish too much credit and/or intelligence. However, if we took your theory to heart, then a lot of people using braid would have low catching numbers, but more often than not, we know fish are caught with braid. 
 

We are in the heart of summer and you’ve brought up a topic for winter and cabin fever, lol.  
 

Perhaps in the most extreme clear water cases line choice and fish activity level might make a difference. Bottom line, use whichever line you think will work best. You’ll find out whether your assumption is true soon enough.  

[KSanford33]

4 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Something close to the color of the background would be the least visible most of the time, but line visibility and bass fishing belongs in the same place as reel drag conversations...

This interests me. So you don’t think line visibility plays a big role in getting bit? I hope it doesn’t, because I really like braid, but iv always been concerned that it’s too visible. 

 

2 minutes ago, islandbass said:

Based in refractive index I would guess fluoro carbon. I think you are giving the fish too much credit or intelligence. However, if we took your theory to heart, then a lot of people using braid would have low catching numbers, but more often than not, we know fish are caught with braid. 
 

We are in the heart of summer and you’ve brought up a topic for winter and cabin fever, lol.  
 

Perhaps in the most extreme clear water cases line choice and fish activity level might make a difference. Bottom line, use whichever line you think will work best. You’ll find out whether your assumption is true soon enough.  

I hope you’re right and line visibility doesn’t really matter. I’m getting bit, but I’m always thinking I might be missing some for one reason or another. 

[Deleted account]

Just now, KSanford33 said:

This interests me. So you don’t think line visibility plays a big role in getting bit? 

 

None whatsoever when it comes to bass.

[islandbass]

21 minutes ago, KSanford33 said:

This interests me. So you don’t think line visibility plays a big role in getting bit? I hope it doesn’t, because I really like braid, but iv always been concerned that it’s too visible. 

 

I hope you’re right and line visibility doesn’t really matter. I’m getting bit, but I’m always thinking I might be missing some for one reason or another. 

I am not saying line visibility is not a factor. It can be. No doubt. Line visibility is one factor, but not the only factor. There are other factors like line diameter, and fish activity level. Heck, even the lure you’re using, location and water clarity. Even budget, lol. 
 

You are already heading in the direction because you are asking such questions. Much respect and hats off to you. This will help you become a better angler.
 

All you have to do now is test your hypothesis. Bring a rig with fc line about the same diameter and see if you catch more or less fish and see how it stacks up to your braid. Next, try another line and do the same using the same lure. Also note the water clarity and fish activity level.

 

Just keep in mind that fc lines can vary greatly in their temperament. Some are “hard and wirey” and others might be supple and the former might be difficult to manage on spinning reels in the finesse realm greater than 8# test. My bar is 6# invizx for drop shot. This wirey trait doesn’t seem to be much of an issue if at all with casting reels. 

 

 

[roadwarrior]

I prefer fluorocarbon, Tatsu in particular. All of my braid applications include

a fluoro leader.

[Jig Man]

It makes a difference when fishing clear water with slow baits like Shaky. That is why I have gone to fluorocarbon line.

[Deleted account]

6 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

It makes a difference when fishing clear water with slow baits like Shaky. That is why I have gone to fluorocarbon line.

One of the best fluke (summer flounder) charter captains held this view, so we put it to the test, he was indeed catching more fish with fluoro, but it turns out it was something other than visibility or sinking going on, and while the "settlement" stipulated I not name him, his $ spends well. 

[JustJames]

I don’t fish very clear water so line visibility is my less concerned.
To me though least visible line is whatever smallest line you preferred and can get away with, mono/Copolymer FC sometimes braid, with less or subtle movements. If you move the line too much too aggressive, the more fish would notice your line. 
I might be wrong, though.

[bulldog1935]

No question fluorocarbon disappears in the water - when you go down to size 22 thread midges and haul up bruiser bucks. 

 

[Manifestgtr]

For what it’s worth, I’ve been using moss green big game 8-12# as leader material and main line for well over 20 years. I think it’s a pretty good compromise in most situations as far as “camo” goes…but it’s not going to beat fluorocarbon in terms of sheer invisibility. I just can’t bring myself to throw fluorocarbon for bass when I don’t rely on its buoyant properties or invisibility. Maybe if I was smallmouth fishing Lake Placid on a regular basis?
 

I dunno, man…I truly don’t feel like my big game costs me many fish. Bogus technique, goofy color choice and miscalculated gameplans? That’s another story…

[OG Crankster]

Right before a bass crushes my Vision 110 with 3 big treble hooks, standing still in the water, it circles around to make sure there isn’t any line tied to it.  I don’t think so.  

[Functional]

a year or 2 ago I was a little paranoid about this....at this point I just pick the line that will work best with the baits I intend to throw on that rod and call it a day.

 

Lately I am starting to heavily favor mono for everything though...

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, OG Crankster said:

Right before a bass crushes my Vision 110 with 3 big treble hooks, standing still in the water, it circles around to make sure there isn’t any line tied to it.  I don’t think so.  

 

You are thinking of mutton snapper, I've witnessed this a couple of times while diving.

[Tatulatard]

Fluorocarbon is slightly closer to the refractive index of water than nylon which I assume translates into flouro being slightly harder to see in the water than mono.  Probably.  

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Every gamefish I fished for has been affected by line size and clarity of line.   Some fish species more than others, but the clarity of the water doesn't factor in nearly as much as I think people think.    Fishing below TVA dams with most certainly not clear water, and the difference b/t 6lb fluoro, and 8lb mono is one guy boating fish after fish, and literally the other angler not catching a single fish.  

[casts_by_fly]

23 hours ago, Deleted account said:

One of the best fluke (summer flounder) charter captains held this view, so we put it to the test, he was indeed catching more fish with fluoro, but it turns out it was something other than visibility or sinking going on, and while the "settlement" stipulated I not name him, his $ spends well. 

 

can you at least say what the 'something other' difference was?   I don't fish fluke so just curious really.

[Deleted account]

13 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

can you at least say what the 'something other' difference was?   I don't fish fluke so just curious really.

Stiffness, ocean is paved with fluke right now in NY/NJ. Brother caught a big cobia while fishing for BFT last week off Rockaway.

[casts_by_fly]

6 minutes ago, Deleted account said:

Stiffness, ocean is paved with fluke right now in NY/NJ. Brother caught a big cobia while fishing for BFT last week off Rockaway.

gotcha.  I'm seeing all of the catches for fluke and Tuna.  It looks like its been a great year for both.  I haven't invested any time in learning it and I'm a solid 75 minute drive to a beach without any shore traffic so I've always kept to bass in the sweetwater since I have 8 good lakes inside 30 minutes.

[Deleted account]

6 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

gotcha.  I'm seeing all of the catches for fluke and Tuna.  It looks like its been a great year for both.  I haven't invested any time in learning it and I'm a solid 75 minute drive to a beach without any shore traffic so I've always kept to bass in the sweetwater since I have 8 good lakes inside 30 minutes.

Yeah, the tuna is good, but guys are trying to compare it to last year which was insane. I used to fly fish for fluke in Jamaica Bay many many moons ago...

[Choporoz]

I rigged up 4# fluoro for the kids to fish for bluegills.  Turns out small fish nip at the line just like they do 17#.  

  Line visibility is not among the variables I consider when making choices for bass fishing.  The fish can see the line.  If it's 80# high viz yellow or 2# bluegreenclear mono with a reflectfract index of .0002 microwhatevers in turbid water....fish can probably still see the line.  Do they care?  I am not at all convinced they do.

[king fisher]

  Clear fluorocarbon is the least visible line, pink floro comes in second by a hair.  Clear, pink, light green, or light blue mono comes in third.  As far as braid goes, white is the least visible if looking up, and slightly darker colors if looking down. Black or very dark green, is more visible looking up or down. 

     The difference in visibility between the same size floro and mono is minimal, but there is a difference.  Braid stands out significantly more.

     I tested many colors and sizes of all three types of line in a swimming pool.  The water was gin clear, results may differ if in stained water.  Also there were no aquatic weeds or other cover that might make a darker color such as black camouflage in to the back ground.  I simply took pictures of the lines either above me while I was at the bottom of the pool, or from above with lines on the bottom.  It was mid day, clear and sunny, so tests may differ, in low light, or with cloud cover.  I was testing for saltwater applications, and was not surprised at all by the results.

      I haven't bass fished anywhere I thought line visibility would make a difference, visibility is not a factor I consider when picking a line for bass fishing. I haven't bass fished everywhere, so I wont say it couldn't or isn't a major factor for some one else fishing someplace I haven't, or with a technique I don't use.

    

[LCG]

From my experience line visibility has minimal effect on catch rates. Location, seasonal patterns, weather factors play a much bigger role in my opinion. 

 

I think Smallmouth and trout are more prone to see your line as they tend to be more clear water, high vision eaters. Largemouth I have not seen any difference.

 

I use a leader on my spinning setup, but more for abrasion, shock than anything. I do think line diameter has some bearing though. I believe they can feel any type of line. To my thinking the thinner the line the better, with type of cover an obvious factor.