How well can bass see Braid??? Need a leader??

[arul]

Hi all,

I want to try using braid, but am afraid it will spook the fish, since it is noticably visible.  I know if I am flipping heavy mats or using a toad, the likelyhood of them seeing the braid is small.  However, what about those in between situations where you are flipping sparser grass, or fishing a worm real slow, and not really going for a reaction strike?

Do you think it I shoudl use a leader?  I tried one, but hate how the leader knot hits my guides when going through during a cast.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.  Thanks~!

[Bad to da Bass]

I asked the same question recently.  In my opinion I don't think you need a leader because I do not think the bass see braid that well.  But I just recently switched back to strictly braided line with no leader on my football jigs.  I would have to say try both setups and see which one gets you the most strikes.

8-)

[Marty]

I'd be confident that bass see braid extremely well. However, whether that deters strikes is another question. I use braid without a leader under all conditions. Would I catch more if I used a leader? I have no idea. Ultimately, you will have to decide what makes sense to you and do what you have confidence in. I have confidence in leaderless fishing even though I don't know for sure what effect it has and I know that if I tried it both ways I'd be unable to draw a valid conclusion.

[David P]

Visibility isn't the only concern. Braid cuts easier on rocks then Fluorocarbon does, so if you're fishing rocks, regardless of water clarity, a leader is a good idea.

[alger319]

the places where you ought to fish braid like slop, heavy weeds, or thick brush i don't think visibility matters. I never like the idea of a leader on braid in bass fishing, just another weak link. if your flippin or pitchin sparse grass just use flouro...

[BassinBoy]

No leader for me

I don't use one and it doesn't seem to be affecting me.  I thought the same thing you did, What if I'm just fishing in a little bit of cover?

You'll be ok, strait braid is my choice in any situation.

[dmac14]

I used braid for fishing with senko style bait and it didnt seem to hinder it at all. Also i have used it in clear water for dragging big worms along the bottom and it also worked fine. So no leader for me.

[SirSnookalot]

I use braid with leader.

Bass see well they have rods and cones in their eyes like humans, they see colors.   I don't know if they pick up on the braid or not but I prefer tieing a loop knot with mono or fluro, rather than braid.

[djmax22]

No doubt in my mind that they see braid in clear water. As others have pointed out it really depends on conditions and where you are planning to use it.

[rickster]

I use braid on every reel except for my BC and have tried many types, but prefer to use Suffix as it seems to cast better for me. Only time I use a leader is early Spring rigged Carolina style, when I want to pull a craw pattern on the bottom and have the weight tapping against the plastic bead when it hits structure.

[rippin_lips]

I have always wondered the same thing, but have always used straight braid.  Powerpro claims their new phantom red line dissapears in water deeper than 15 ft.  I will be buying some, more for the looks than the claim that is cannot be seen by fish.  

[cbreeze22]

I gotta believe bass see braid if they can see as good as a minnow. I mean Ive fished off a dock where I can see down in 3 or 4' of water and watched minnows several feet from the line head for the line and bump it. Line doesnt seem to scare off a minnow. Ive often wondered even if the bass sees the line if it distracts him from hitting a bait. Guess it could if hes just suspended there deciding if he wants to bite. One has to wonder if the bass attention really wouldnt be more focused on the bait.. Hard to figure. IMO for trout line visibility is a big deal. Many times I use 2# leader with power bait catchin fish cast after cast and guy next to me using 8 or 10# and never catches fish. And its not that im in a better location cuz when im rebaiting up the guy will steal my spot and still not catch them. 8-)

[South FLA]

Visibility isn't the only concern. Braid cuts easier on rocks then Fluorocarbon does, so if you're fishing rocks, regardless of water clarity, a leader is a good idea.

Bingo! It took me a bit to realize that while Snook fishing, cause I kept losing linesiders near structure, when braid first came onto the scene. I've been using a leader ever since for most my applications other than floating and swimming frog applications.

I think you can get away using straight braid under certain water clarity conditions, but why not sleep easy knowing ole bucketmouth did not pass on your lure because of braid.

Master the Uni to Uni or Bimini to No Name Knot and be on your way to a good night's sleep.

[Big O Tires Angler]

I was just watching the Jared Lintner video on ***.com and he said he never uses a leader when fishing braid.

I myself fished without for a while and then started tying on to see if it made a difference and so far I see none.

[5151]

I have always wondered the same thing, but have always used straight braid. Powerpro claims their new phantom red line dissapears in water deeper than 15 ft. I will be buying some, more for the looks than the claim that is cannot be seen by fish.

I dont how bass see it but as an old diver you have to get really deep for red to start losing its color and then it usually looks black

[Matt 825]

If you are using braid line and you think that the fish can see it then you might as well be fishing with a huge thick rope for line.  If it is affecting your confidence at all then use a Fluro leader.