colors of fishing line

JB

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Mar 25, 2001
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45,907
Re: colors of fishing line

I don't know.<br /><br />There are those who believe that flourocarbon lines and leaders, which "disappear" in water, because they have the same optical characteristics as water, work better for very wary species.<br /><br />When fishing free-floating lures and baits I can see a gentle strike easier with hi-visibility lines. . . like the flourescent yellow braids that Cabelas sells.<br /><br />Most of the time I don't bother with either, but I am sure some fisherpersons will be along that swear by some particular color and will explain why.<br /><br />I tend to choose my lines based on castability and resistance to abrasion, UV and musky teeth. I am also price sensitive; if I am going to pay big bux for line I expect to use it for a while before replacing it.
 

rwise

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Jul 5, 2001
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3,205
Re: colors of fishing line

I tried a "green" line ounce, never even got a bit! Pulled that s**t off and place it in the trash!
 

teamstromer

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May 9, 2004
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Re: colors of fishing line

i dont beleive line color makes a differecne. i'm pretty sure fish don't say to themselves ahhh ahhh thats green fishin line and i dont like green!.. i'm pretty sure fish are more interested in the bait or lures and that the only fish getting hooked on buying colored line is us<br /><br />teamstromer
 

ddaigle

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Feb 9, 2004
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Re: colors of fishing line

Ive used green mono for years and caught lots of fish and a lot of big fish, but Ive also used clear mono with the same results. Ive also tried the camo lines, bronze lines, gold lines etc.but always come back to clear or green.Im with JB on the flourescent braids but only for certain situations where I need high visibility and I will usually use a mono or flourocarbon leader just to make myself feel better. You cant go wrong with the regular clear mono in my opinion. Just dont use the really cheap stuff.
 

gonfishn

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May 16, 2002
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2,390
Re: colors of fishing line

Water and sky conditions play a big part on color of lures I use ..For instance on sunny clear days I fish with a lot of silver or chrome finishes. Makes sense,the sun makes it flash..On cloudy days or muddy waters I use Gold,copper,or florescents because they stand out more in these conditions..Guess so with fishn lines and how they stand out in water..Clear or faded line colors tend blend in. But with the Fancy color lines it might stand out more and create a different look to the fin. <br /><br />Of course this is my own opinion..I tend to go with line that is of a clear nature or faded look because it blends in with the surroundings and does not stand out..
 

TwoWatt

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Nov 4, 2001
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249
Re: colors of fishing line

I know this is on/off topic, but I recently discovered that Spiderwire is the "BEST" line I've ever used. (ultra-lite spinning combo)<br />I don't think color of line matters that much, but what do I know :)
 

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: colors of fishing line

In the ocean we use Yellow, Green, and about 12 year old green that is washed out to almost white. I really like the Yellow or gold as you can see it to a depth of about 30 feet most days. Last 30 we put on red dots so can tell when fish is about up to the top. Three bands for 30 feet 2 bands for 20 feet and one for 10 feet Big help when fishing 400 feet deep. If it make a difference someone should tell the fish of the Pacific because we allways get limits. We do use about a 5 foot mono leader. One thing good about different colors is if do get a tangle with other easy to untangle when one line a different color.<br /><br />In my opinon Spiderline is junk. I made it a project for over 20 years to try differents lines. Have about 30 casting rods in sets of 5 that we use. Normaly have 4 in use and one spare. The only line to ever break fighting a fish in open water was Spiderline twice. 30Lb test on a 9 foot E-Glass rod with 20 lb test 6 foot leader. Drag set at 5 lb pull with pole at 90 degrees to direction of pull. About 3 lb drag if pull with rod straight. Lost two Salmon in the 30 to 35 lb size due to broken spider wire. We have lost other fish from Broken line but always when netting where another hook or weight got caught in the net when we missed the fish. Spider line comes untied, the braid is so loose it comes unbraided neat the hook and it is over priced. I have a friend whos Bass boat seats have white glue all over then from another fisherman glueing spider line. Of all the spectra line spider line would be my last choice. I would probably use mono first. All the other Braids are great. No streach, small diameter, strong and durable. I use some Courtland Spectron line for almost 12 years now for bottom fishing. Even with a leader near the same weight of the main line have never broke the line. Ever 3 or 4 years I feel guilty and cut off about 3 feet and retie. Spectron is my oldest line but is very hard to find. Cabela's newer lines very good but also high priced, Fins prt braid very good and I think the only one you can get with a IFGA rating for records. This year two new rods with P Line new braid and Stren's super braid.
 

louisp

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Oct 15, 2003
Messages
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Re: colors of fishing line

I liked the spiderwire for freshwater fishing but then put in on a couple of my saltwater reels and the problems started. It seems the saltwater environment degraded the performance quickly. After one season it started breaking and felt almost abrasive as it fed through the eyes. Plus when fighting large or strong fish like drum, since it is so thin the line would bury in the underlying line, creating tangles and binding the spool. As far as colors, I find it makes no difference when I get skunked!!
 

FLATHEAD

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Dec 29, 2002
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3,386
Re: colors of fishing line

Have had most colors on my reels at one time or the other. Never really saw that it made a whole lot of difference. There is a brand of line that virtually disappears in the local lake here, but seems visible in other bodies of water. Right now it just so happens that all my reels but one have green of one shade or the other on em. <br /><br />Never did like the spiderwire. I do like a line that does not stretch and is very sensitive to strikes. On our last Trip we had power pro braid on some rigs and ripcord braid on others, both green color. They both worked well, no problems. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite.
 

jtexas

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Oct 13, 2003
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Re: colors of fishing line

Okay, here's something I've been wondering about: you can get red line (Cajun brand) that claims to be invisible underwater, and over on the next aisle they have the red hooks that claim to attract fish. Aren't these claims contradictory? I've read about red having the shortest wavelength thus being the hardest to see underwater. And about how fish can't see anything thicker than a nickel. And about how it really doesn't matter unless it gives you more confidence.<br /><br />I think, if you give me an inexpensive line with max strength for smallest diameter, max abrasion resistance, no memory, and just the right amount of stretch, then you can make it whatever color you like.<br /><br />I've just spooled up one reel with power pro 30lb, haven't used it enough to reach any conclusions yet. Needed something to help me detect strikes on weightless soft plastics, especially flukes & wacky-rigged senkos.<br /><br />Good topic, k5.
 

TwoWatt

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Re: colors of fishing line

I still have to recommend spiderwire for any light gear. I've been using it now for a few weeks now & to me it's the best line I've ever used.<br />Of course this is light 6 lb test on a ultralite reel(and used in freshwater). <br />It doesn't tangle on itself, doesnt retain shape (ya know, release the line from the reel & you have hundreds of little loops:p) and is very strong.<br />Since I fish around downed trees I get a lot of snags, when that line does break it lets out a nice little "snap". You can tell it'd take a lot of fish to break this line even at 6 lb test.
 

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: colors of fishing line

TwoWatts<br />I glad you like spiderwire but have to ask one question. Have you tried any other Spectra line yet??? In my opinion they are all better than spiderwire. All are small diameter and no strech. I use from 8 to 12 pound test for Balck bass 30 pound test for Salmon, 50 and 80 pound for Tuna Shark and Sturgeon.<br />Started testing and recording lines back in 1972. I keep a sample of each and record diameter for each pound test. Have always been looking for small diameter where can use less weight and give you a better chance to catch and land fish.<br /><br />All my deep water rods we use roller tips and the Tuna gear at least a roller stripper and tip.
 

TwoWatt

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Re: colors of fishing line

Boatist,<br />I've search for "spectra" line but could only find the heavy duty salt-water line. <br />Is there a brand name I can look for that will get me to the smaller test lines?<br />Thanks. I'd be willing to do a comparsion.
 

Boatist

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Apr 22, 2002
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Re: colors of fishing line

TwoWatts<br />Fins Prt braid, Cortland Spectron, Cabela's Ripcord, Ripcord SI, and RIpcord SI plus, Power pro, Tuf Line, Tuf Line XP, P-Line Spectrex IV, Stren's Super braid, Bass Pro/Offshore Angler's /spectra. Berkely also makes one I think it is called gorella Bread but not sure. <br /><br />My favorites<br />Cortland's Spectron - Great line been useing for 12 years but hard to find. Internets Captain Mikes site.<br /><br />Cablea's Ripcord Si and Si plus. Good line but high cost.<br /><br />Fins Prt Braid - Good line good price, have IGFA rated lines for setting records.<br /><br />Just got a spool of Stren's Super Bread, and P Line's Spectrex IV. These lines look good and I have a spool of each but have not tested yet. Will test in August week long fishing trip.<br /><br />IMO Power PRO, Tuff Line, Offshore Angler Spectra are good cheap lines but not as refined and smooth as the ones above. <br /><br /><br />If I was to list spiderwire I would list it 2 pages down. To be clear I tested the orginal Spiderwire. The new Spiderwire Stealth I have not tried. The Stealth says Tight-Weave and Teflon.<br />The Spiderwire I tested and several semi pro I fished with tested is the line I do not like. The weave would work loose about 4 inches from the hook, even useing their recommended knots it would come untied. 30 Pound broke while fighting fish in open water twice and leader was 20 lb mono. Drag set at 5 pounds pull at 90 degrees to the rod. Rod a very forgiving 9 foot E-glass rod rated at 15 to 30. Caught hundreds of Salmon on this rod and lost 2 both on spiderwire with fish still 40 yards from the boat in open water. No other line ever broke even when useing a leader of the same weight. If you have a long fight good luck.
 

cicerofire

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Jun 14, 2004
Messages
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Re: colors of fishing line

P line fluorecent (sp?) I do most all of my fishing (bass that is) at night and I use a couple of nice black lights so I can see my line, nothing better in my mind!
 
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