Braided line color

[Clumsy fisherman]

I try to match the color of the braid I use to the color of the water where I will be fishing, hoping that fish won't notice the line. I also use a fluorocarbon leader. 

 

Here is my problem: I can't see the line either and my casts are not always very accurate. Consequently I don't know where the lure has landed. What if I used a braided line with a highly visible color? Would this spook the fish?

[Functional]

I dont fish Gin clear water BUT on my spinning rods with braid used for Neds I use high viz braid (i use bright blue) and have a floro leader on. Never had an issue even in 5ft visibility water.

 

for reference I watch the line like a hawk when fishing bottom along with a finger on the line the whole time. line viz is very important to me.

[Doubles]

Options to 'hide' braid:

 

As Functional noted above, a braid-to-fluoro leader is a great option. Probably the best option. 

 

Another, when using fluorescent-colored straight braid- color the last 3-4 feet or so with a sharpie.

[Captain Phil]

Use a fluorocarbon leader.  If you do, you can use tow cable for line and it won't matter. 

[gim]

2 hours ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

I can't see the line either and my casts are not always very accurate. Consequently I don't know where the lure has landed.

 

Stop watching the line when you cast.  Follow the lure.  Accuracy is based on where the lure is casted, not the line.  Hi-vis braid isn't going to do anything in terms of line visibility while casting.  It can help with bite detection, as already stated.

 

If your accuracy isn't very good, practice more.

[WRB]

Casting accuracy has nothing to do with seeing the line.

It takes practice to develope hand eye coordination. You look at the target and train yourself to land the lure on the target using your thumb to control when to land the lure using a bait casting reel.

Spinning reels are harder to feather the line using your index finger to slow down and land the lure on the target.

Practice, practice, practice . 
Tom

[Catt]

Some of older guys fished with braided cotton which was white. If your body of water has any vegetation or brush the bass will not notice your line.

 

Ya might wanna brighter color lure

[WRB]

When I started to use a bait casting reel in the 50’s the only line used was Ashaway Dacron in black or camo (black,  brown & green). We didn’t use a leader because mono line wasn’t common until the late 50’s. Ashaway came out with Diamond Back line a blend of mono and Dacron until monofilament line became popular for spinning reels. 
Abu Ambassador 500 was introduced and could cast mono line, Dacron braid era was over for bass anglers.

Spectra super braid came out on the 80’s and Spider Wire line because it was black where Spectra was white. Today we have everything from mono, copoly, FC , FC/hybrid in as many colors as want.

Tom

ps, my Langley Target had pink silk line, too expensive for me so changed to Dacron that didn’t to be dried.

[ABU is overpriced]

I use white braid most of the time, with about a 1m long fluoro leader. For veggies where you i am going straight braid, then standard green stuff does fine.

[Clumsy fisherman]

6 hours ago, gimruis said:

 

Stop watching the line when you cast.  Follow the lure.  Accuracy is based on where the lure is casted, not the line.  Hi-vis braid isn't going to do anything in terms of line visibility while casting.  It can help with bite detection, as already stated.

 

If your accuracy isn't very good, practice more.

LOL, I don't expect the color of the line to improve accuracy. I did hope that high visibility line would help me see where the lure is, especially when the wind  catches the cast or the lure drifts after landing.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Changing the color of a baseball wont make you anymore accurate and line color is no different.  

The bright color is to watch the line for bites you cant feel due to slack.  

I fish almost exclusively braid-leader with spinning tackle.  I would really be surprised if my line has spooked more than handful of fish in the past few years if any.  That being said, water clarity is rarely over 6ft and commonly 3' or less.  The exception where I make sure to take at least 1 outfit with FC is when Im fishing quarries or blue holes with clarity over 10', particularly in the winter when Im practically dead sticking a JB in middle of the water column. 

Bass can be spooky, but I've found wild trout to be skittish at best. For what its worth, all of my fly lines are high viz and I still manage to catch them somehow.

[bloodkitty]

On 5/10/2024 at 7:04 PM, Clumsy fisherman said:

LOL, I don't expect the color of the line to improve accuracy. I did hope that high visibility line would help me see where the lure is, especially when the wind  catches the cast or the lure drifts after landing.

I know what you're saying. I really like that Light Gray Daiwa J Braid Grand for this reason. I also use Pink or a red. Red is the first to lose color underwater btw. 

[VTFan]

I fish Hi-Viz yellow braid on my spinning rods with a fluro leader.  Hi-Viz for ease of watching the line, fluro for the opposite for the fish. JMO.

[FishTank]

If you're having a hard time seeing the line and lure, a brighter colored braid won't hurt (and maybe some glasses 👍). Brighter braid might be more visible to the fish in super clear water but with a leader you should be good. Also, I'm still not convinced fish disturbed by line especially when they're hungry.  

 

Another option.... Sunline BMS Fluorocarbon.  Its high vis line that is multiple colors but disappears under the water. Great line but it can get pricey.