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This question is for vertical jigging and float & jig rigs.
I see many of you guys use fluorocarbon line for leaders on hi vis braid because its invisible to the fish.
What if I use braid only and strike about 2 ft with a black magic marker? Can they see that black braid?
They can see ALL lines in clear to semi-clear water, but the depth and clarity of water you're fishing in can "hide" the color of the line.Quote:
Originally Posted by jay the baptist
I use (or have used) hi-vis line, red line, green line (high & low vis), clear/blue line, & hi-vis braid ... sometimes alone & sometimes in combination ... and have caught fish on them all. And in most cases I have tied the line directly to the bait/hook. The waters I fish are lightly stained to moderately stained (1-3ft visibility depth). I've used the "colored" lines so that I can see them, regardless of whether the fish can or not. I don't believe the fish are as interested in the line color as much as they are what's on the end of it. I'm not even sure they can comprehend what "line" is, or that they are ever actually "line shy". But, that's just my :twocents opinion.
Fish have no reasoning power, so go figure. I have always wondered about that. I broke off a jigging line one day and all I had was 70# green braid. so I used it single poling, tied directly to it. Worked fine. I use 8# stren gold with the same line for a leader. I use made up leaders and can change them out easily. You will get a lot of different answers on this question.
Indeed you will, and most replies will be a reference to that person's experiences.Quote:
Originally Posted by trypman1
I once saw a TV Angler fishing show, advertising "near invisible line". They put a diver down in crystal clear water, holding a square frame with four or five different lines strung across it ... then proceeded to comment on the fact that their new "near invisible line" couldn't be seen as clearly as the other lines. BUT ... I could see ALL the lines, very clearly :Doh: ... and reasoned that, if I could see them on my TV, then surely the fish could see them at close range. That was back in the day when clear/blu mono was "the" thing. But, since I had started fishing as a kid ... back when we used black nylon & multi-colored nylon lines in those days (& caught fish) ... I didn't take the "test results" of this show to be anything more than advertising hype. :biggrin
I've nenever had a problem in most lakes I fish but a few I fish that are clear it make a big difference. One lake I fish you will not get a bite unless you're fishing low vis. Green 4lb or smaller.
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Like already mentioned, you can and will get a million different opinions on the subject of fishing lines. In my opinion it's largely dependent on the body of water you are fishing. If the water is stained, it probably won't make much of a difference. If its clear water, you may notice a huge difference. I typically use a fluorocarbon leader attached to 10/2 braid on my vertical jigging poles. I'm certain that many days I could do away with the leader and have the same success, but it's just what I prefer and what I'm confident in.
I have seen the day when fishing with 4 lb test mono would not get nearly as many bites as 2 lb test mono. IMO when that happens it may be more about the fall rate of your bait and the depth your fishing more so that the fish being line shy from the larger diameter line. I've also fished along someone in clear water that was using regular clear mono while I used high vis. Same set-up on both rods and same bait. He wore me out in that clear water. I do think the color of my line was playing into that result.
Best thing to do is try it and see what kind of results you get. You might find that it works just fine for you on your body of water!!
It is one of those things that doesn't matter much until it does like jig head color, scents, and a host of other things alot of guys like to say doesn't matter.
But the biggest advantage to a fluoro leader with braid when vertical jigging is abrasion resistance in/around cover and the ability to use a slightly lighter test leader to break off when hung instead of wasting a bunch of expensive braid.
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Some faded Sunline sx1 braid on one of my rods that I let the leader get too short on last trip out. Braid doesn't hold up well rubbing around in stakes, limbs, and stumps. The main reason for the leader.
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Fish have sense(s) - that's it - and not the kind that involves decision making. Fish brains don't have the abilities so many have compared to mammal brains such as fear, anger, gluttony, a sense of danger or threat avoidance, object identification such as comparing a lure to a live animal and especially not line avoidance. Seeing as how fish senses are honed to detect, track and target moving objects in a less than clear environment, anglers IMO need only do a few things to overload those senses and trigger the other thing we depend on - aggression:Quote:
Fish have no reasoning power, so go figure.
1. tailor the object to what a fish will strike which includes size, shape and most important - the right action. If the line distracts attention from the lure or doesn't allow it to move exactly the way you want it to move, the line is too heavy. Lures must always be the center of attention and attention holding.
2.Line that has too much bow when using light lures, reduces subtle strike detection. Braid and large diameter mono are notorious for line bow the longer the line retrieved below the surface, making fluorocarbon leaders almost a must.
3.Line must have the least stretch (braid) for long distance hook sets. Mono falls short unless a medium action rod and high speed retrieve reel allows it but then makes working ultra-light lures much more difficult because of line bow.
4.Not much more to add except that smaller diameter lines in my experience do better on average, whether braid for the main line or fluorocarbon leaders. Once you find the pound test combination that works, always use it. I rarely use less than 6# test fc or a greater pound test than 10# for braid and I average over 40 fish per outing.
Its pretty simple and lots of folks get all worked up on this subject . Most all areas that get jigs tossed in them have line in abundance hung on the cover . A crappie that's hungry will pay no nevermind to line color or size or variety . A finicky crappie though is another fish and in clear water can be quite difficult to fool .
That said I used to tie direct to my braid and still do in the winter when I use braid in deep water ,the leader thing is a waste of time for sure in deep water . When I was less tuned in and not quite as good at depth setting I even marked my braid with a black permanent marker at 10 foot and red at 12 foot when I hit timber and short water piles .
But in the end a good clear blue mono or something similar is what I use almost exclusively these days on almost all my rods .
I would tune up if I thought it mattered on certain spots and get more serious , but in the end the line thing is pretty much a preference thing best I can tell .
Besides if you choose mono you get to make hook sets like a bass angler and really enjoy the sport to it fullest :Rofl
Elwood "Buck" Perry always said that he wanted the fish to see his line, which inturn lead them to his lure. He also advocated line test to the basic premises of depth & speed control. That is what he was most concerned with at all times.
I do not believe it is a good option to tie direct to your lure using braid. Reason being is that braid is less abrasion resistant than all other materials lines are made of. Consequently, I always use braid with a fluorocarbon leader material, which has considerably greater abrasion resistance.
As has already been said, folks usually choose line (lures and other tackle as well) based on their experiences with those products. JMO.
Thanks a bunch guys. Demopolis Lake is rarely ever considered clear when compared to Lake Tuscaloosa or Smith Lake. I'm going to try a fluorocarbon leader on one pole and straight braid on the other. My biggest problem is I don't get to go enough. I feel like every time I go I'm starting over from scratch. lol
Y'all have a blessed weekend, be careful and "ROLL TIDE."
Ive never believed in the line shy fish story
I caught plenty in the late 60's early 70's using the old string.
Fish instinct hasnt changed,its all marketing to catch fisherman.
Curious—what test? Been using Izorline “spectra” which I believe is a type of braid. 12 # test with 4# diameter. Works well but I would consider mono.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ketchn
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