For any aspiring anglers, preparing a tackle box is a necessary step before actually hunting down fish. You need to make sure there are enough hooks, bait, lures, rods, reels. But if you are new to this sport, it can be confusing trying to pick up the right fishing line. Not only does it come in multiple sizes and materials, but the line also varies significantly in colors. So, does fishing line color matter?
The answer is yes! Fishing lines play a role in determining whether you can successfully land a fish, and choosing a suitable color can greatly increase your chance of doing so. To learn more about how the line color affects performance, let’s check out the article below!
Can Fish See Fishing Line
Whether fish see your fishing line or not depends on the water depth, water clarity, and the color of your fishing line.
If the circumstances allow, fish are able to detect a visible or semi-visible line. But in other cases, they cannot make out the line and tend to be oblivious to the whole thing.
However, it should be noted that fish seeing the line is not necessarily the reason why you fail to land fish. Unlike human brains – which can grasp the concept of deception and catching aquatic animals from the shore – fish do not think nor imagine what might happen if they take the bite connected to the fishing line.
They do not know what awaits at the other end of the fishing line and thus, seeing or not seeing the line does not make much of a difference. If you choose the right fishing area, cast in the perfect distance, and have mouth-watering bait, the fish is likely to fall into the trap regardless of the fishing color.
That being said, like all other species, fish do learn from their past mistakes. If it has to fight against being reeled in every time it swallows the fishing line, then fish may start to associate fishing line with dangers.
Therefore, you still have to be careful while selecting an appropriate fishing line color.
Does Fishing Line Color Matter
Fishing line color matters, which explains why you have so many choices on the market. “But why?’ – you may ask. Do fish see a line? Is it why colors are important? Well, yes!
As stated above, fish can sense something is wrong if they see your fishing line and have been caught and released in the past. Hence, choosing translucent colors that blend in with water conditions helps you to stay hidden from the prey.
Another reason why fishermen need to be attentive to fishing line color is for their own sake. Remember, being an angler means you have to be in full control of where your fishing line lies.
This way, you have a better idea of where a fish may strike and how to land it immediately. That is not to mention how colorful lines make it easier for you to perform specific twists and knots.
What Color Fishing Line Should I Use
Clear fishing line
Clear fishing line is arguably the most common option for fishermen, thanks to its being general and highly versatile. Mostly undetected underwater, a clear fishing line can go with virtually all types of water, from ponds to streams.
If you seek a beginner-friendly line and do not want to spend extra time pondering over the color choices, it is best that you stick with the good old clear.
Green
Green sounds like a brassy color, but in fact, it works wonders when used as a fishing line. This is because most underwater bodies have aquatic plants, creating a greenish hue. Therefore, a green fishing line can be a disguise and stay invisible to fish.
Still, not all waters are greenish. If you intend on fishing in clear areas, consider other choices.
Blue
Blue is another popular tint found in underwater bodies. Like green, its ability to camouflage makes blue adaptable to most water conditions.
Yellow
Yellow fishing line is rather limited in its application since the color stands out compared to most water bodies. As a result, anglers only use a yellow fishing line is murky, dirty water conditions, where the mud covers most of its tracks.
On the bright side, a yellow fishing line enables anglers to detect any movements as quickly as possible. If a fish takes a bite, the vibrations in the line are evident right away. This gives you an edge over your prey and maximizes your chance of landing fish.
Pink
Many fishermen are skeptical about using a pink fishing line, claiming that the color is too bright. But there are scientific studies showing how pink loses its vibrant shade when plunging deep underwater.
For those who wish to go after fish residing at the bottom layers of water bodies, pink provides a reasonable alternative to a clear fishing line.
Red
When and where to use a red fishing line still remains a bone of contention among experienced anglers. Some believe that red and pink are alike since they both become covert underwater. Others argue that red resembles blood and is highly visible to fish.
Either way, red is easy to detect from above, so you might want to take this quality into consideration.
Color Fishing Line For Bass?
Now that you have read through colorful fishing lines and how they apply to different situations, it is time to examine which color to use for landing specific fish.
Bass
While warm shades like red and orange are highly visible to bass, cool shades such as blue and blue tints are harder to detect. If the fishing environments are poorly lit, translucent colors have a better chance of blending in.
But if you spot lots of light, it does no harm to use a more spirited hue, as the color tends to appear shadier and less obvious. For those who do not want to go through all the trouble of choosing more than one fishing line, a camo one will suffice.
Carp
Carp has a very sharp vision, which allows this species to be highly vigilant underwater. To deceive carp, you need a fishing line, baits, and lures to camouflage completely.
Given how carp usually live in water bodies that have vast aquatic vegetation, it makes sense to assume that their surroundings are grassy and dark. Subsequently, you should use a green or brown fishing line for maximal effects.
Trout
Trout do not react well when seeing colorful fishing lines. To land this fish, go for a classic transparent line with the lowest visibility level.
Catfish
Catfish do not detect colors and are pretty bold even in the face of dangers. To follow their quick movements, you can use a red or yellow fishing line.
Surf fishing
When going surf fishing, transparent or pink fishing lines are the two most prevalent choices.
Other Factors To Consider When Choosing Fishing Line
Strength
How powerful your fishing line depends on the size of its diameter. Thicker, bigger lines are stronger than thinner ones, and they are also capable of landing more aggressive fish.
But still, bear in mind that fishing line strength comes at the expense of visibility. You cannot expect a heavy-duty line to stay hidden underwater.
See more: How To Choose Fishing Line Weight
Material
Fishing lines are available in three materials as follows.
- Monofilament: Monofilament is flexible, lightweight, and mostly covert. But performance-wise, a monofilament line is only suitable for landing small fish due to its limited power.
- Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon is made from a polymer, which increases its elasticity and capacity. While it is still formed using a single line, fluorocarbon offers a more robust catch than its monofilament counterpart.
- Braided: Braided lines are essentially strands of synthetic fibers tying together. They are the strongest fishing line and tend to last longer than the rest.
Stiffness
Having a certain level of stiffness allows fishermen to cast effortlessly. You may notice that stronger lines are stiffer, which explains why they are hard to maneuver effectively. Vice versa, small lines are easy to swing around given their meager stiffness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, does fishing line color matter? Of course, it does! Not only do colors affect the chances of fish going near your bait, but they also ease off your fishing trip and make landing a good catch easier.
However, given the multiple fishing line colors available, make sure you learn about their pros and cons before choosing one to load on your reel.
If you find this article helpful, send it over to your fellow fishermen and see what their opinions are!
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Born in Lakeland, Florida, Daniel has started fishing since he was just a tiny little kid. His father was a real good fisherman, as he taught Daniel tricks and tips to catch the fish better. From those childhood memories, Daniel has built up his love for fishing. Until now, he has been participating in several bass tournaments and currently serves as the Chief Editor of fishingonsunday.com to share his precious knowledge and experiences with many more people.
