Line Visibilty. Is it Really an Issue?

[bassfisher02]

Before I begin on this ever-so-contraversial subject, I'd like to state that this is all stated with the EXCEPTION of extrememly clear and heavily fished waters. [Note: both clear and heavily fished waters, not one or the other].

Now, as most of the regulars may know, I very much do not believe that line visibility has any negative or positive effect on fish at all. Now, as there is no proof that line actually does scare fish away, make them more weary, or any of the such, this article [if you will] is solely my own opinion.

Line visibility has been discussed and argued over for as long as the idea has been around, with many believing it has everything to do with catching fish, and others believing the thought is ridiculous. In stained/muddy/murky/and even turbid/violent waters I am completely sold that a fish will pay little to no attention to what is coming from what it is they are interested in. Why would they? There are many species of shellfish that have 'antenni' that can very much resemble a fishing line coming from such lures as a jig, soft plastic, or topwater. It is not in a fishs basic instinct to carefully and descriptively analyze its pray. It may give the lure a few looks, but thats just it, the lure. Not whatever is around the lure, but infact the lure. Bass completely concentrate on their pray, in order to make quick and easy kills and meals. Not only does the line resemble 'antenni' but in such cases as braid [more specifically Powerpro or other braids that come in a moss green color] the line can easily resemble grass, sticks, and a number of other natural things floating about in the water. Furthermore, the diameter of braids are such that it is questionable whether the fish can even pick up the line. In such cases as a reaction strike, or when fishing bedded bass, the bass will not pay any attention to the lure at all, but merely pick it up to move it. So in theory throwing a rope tied to a soft plastic at a bedding bass can and will work. [Please not the exxageration].

I believe that taking the time to rig flouro/mono leaders to braid [even though saves some braid] is unnessacery, and can potentially cause the loss of a monster bass. Since rigging braid to other lines usually requires complicated and pain in the arse knots [such as, in the words of Flyrod, the !@#$% J-Knot] These knots can easily slip/break if the individual who ties the not makes a mistake or skips a step in the tying proccess. This will not only cause you to lose a fish, but also a few feet of line will be hanging from the lost fishs mouth giving the potential to get tangled up in structure and unfortunatly die a slow and cruel death.

Line visibility is such a hard thing for me to grasp, because there is just too many other things going on under water, and as long as you are doing a good job at presenting a lure, there is no need to worry about a fish seeing the line. If you immatate something it eats, it will eat it. Its just how it is. Many argue that after switching to braid they dont catch as many fish... well honestly it very well may have nothing at all to do with line, and more the angler/presentation. Or even the fish. Just because fish have been on for a good while, doesnt mean they will stay on, or in the same areas. There are too many variables to determine whether or not line visibility is a factor, but when I have had equal to better success using braid, you better believe I'm not gunna use mono just because some say Mr. Fishy down there is a picky wicky and has his spectacles on closely examining the braided line I have tied on.

Its simple, I want to have a line thats versitile and that I can fish in open water, or in the nastiest of cover. Braid allows me to do just that, without having to worry about whether the fish will cut me off. And with crankbaits and what not, well if you want 'give' loosen your drag, let the fish run with the lure. It will set the hook itself on the hit, so just lossening the drag is enough to insure that the hook will not be ripped out of a fishs mouth.

Again, this is all my opinion after much experience and experimentation. If you choose to use leaders, or solely flouro/mono in general, than be my guest. Its a free country, I'm just laying down my ideas on why it really doesnt make much sense.