Mono visibility

[thediscochef]

52 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

I use that quite a bit. The price is nice too! I look at it as the Sufix version of Big Game. In my opinion, it is stiffer than Trilene XL and doesn't stretch as much as Big Game. I mostly use it in 12lb and 17lb for reaction baits like shallow cranks or poppers (12lb) or spinnerbaits and poppers (17lb to help keep it up shallower) when I don't need as much flexibility. I use Big Game for spooks and walking baits, and Trilene XL on the spinning reels.

 

As for color,... I don't honestly think it makes as much difference in most cases as people think. I use braid when I want no stretch and want good hook sets. I use flouro for sinking baits or crankbaits if I want more depth and mono for shallow baits or topwater.

 

I have some hi-vis braid, some green. Flouro is obviously clear and all my mono is green so I can easily see if a reel has mono or flouro. If it's clear,... It's flouro. Simple as !that

I think it's a very slept-on line by bass anglers, it's thin, strong, and tough as nails

[you]

If you compare nylon and fluoro lines of the same diameter and color. there is not much difference in visibility. The refractive index of fluoro is closer to water than nylon, but close is not the same. There are still reflections. Reflections can also come from minor deformation in lines caused imprecise winding. That's why I prefer lines wound in neat layers (e.g. sufix siege, seaguar invisx) for leaders.

 

I agree with others here that diameter is much more important than material. I also think that line tint can make a difference depending on the application: are the fish looking up or down when they approach your lure? How well does it match the background/lighting?

 

The clarity of nylon will also decrease with damage from UV and water absorption. For leaders this doesn't matter too much. Just tie a new one. I'd opt for fluoro mainlines, though.

 

[Big Swimbait]

2 hours ago, r83srock said:

I have seen this myself. Underneath certain light conditions I can see flouro  easily. I think bass see line but don’t think it makes a difference. I was recently experimenting with flouro again but it’s back to mono and braid for me. 

I totally agree. An A-Rig looks like a wad of coat hangers coming through the water. People worry about line visibility but never mention the 2 treble hooks on a crankbait. I do agree that line diameter affects lure action and depth. 

[JMac603]

The simple fact is fish eyes see better underwater than human eyes. They are some of the oldest eyes on the planet as eyes evolved under water and had to adapt above water. That said brains have come a long way, too (though it doesn't feel that way most of the time). They are certainly seeing the line but what they interpret that as is another question. We throw some of the weirdest things in the water and they try and eat them...a buzzbait?! When you're not at the top of the food chain, things can be food or you can be so being alert/skittish can save your life. So, in my mind, the line isn't natural to their world and it matters or it doesn't. I love dragging a tube..a tube does not look like a crawfish and it doesn't look like a baitfish. A goby - ehhhh..kind of? Who KNOWS what they interpret that as, but they eat that on the regular. All that to say - they're seeing fluoro, braid, and mono. Use what you want and you'll catch some of the fish all of the time, none of the fish some of the time, but you'll never catch all of the fish all of the time. 

[volzfan59]

I bought into the visibility thing at one time. A few years back, I just got tired of deciding on what type of line to use on which rod and reel set up. Went back to straight mono on everything. I just play with the line strength for different presentations. Still seem to catch just as many bass as ever. I'll be straight mono from here on out.

 

But, as always, to each his own.

[Tennessee Boy]

Everyone should read up on the difference in visual acuity between humans and animals.  It’s fascinating stuff.  There are many aspects to vision.   Visual acuity is the ability to see fine details.  It’s what the doctor is measuring when asking you to read the letters on a chart.  You could say that visual acuity is a human super power.   Our’s is better than any other animal with the exception of birds of prey.   Eagles put us to shame in this regard.  

 

Here’s a good article to get you started 

https://www.futurity.org/visual-acuity-vision-eyes-animals-1772002/

 

I read one scientific study that tried to measure a largemouth bass’s visual acuity by dissecting the eye.  They concluded that it was 10 cycles per degree but noted that it was probably higher than that in reality.  10 cpd is considered legally blind for humans.

 

This science suggests that fish would need to be very close to your line to see it.   Less than a foot to just a few inches in most cases.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

no better way to figure it out than to just try it.   i have my way, that i have confidence in and that is what i go with.  

This is the only fortune cookie note I ever felt compelled to keep.  Totally applicable here. 
 

 

[blackrain]

As a long time mono/copolymer (McCoy) and fluorocarbon (Tatsu, Invisx, Sniper) user, my experience is that I absolutely feel more slack line bites with fluorcarbon. Line stretch is about equal. Visibility also about the same, and I fish zebra mussel-infested waters in Michigan. Abrasion resistance is better with Tatsu though some coploymers are just as tough, but they handle worse than FC. I use all 3 types of lines available.