Fishing Forum

Do you use colored line?

Do you think the color of your line make a difference?

What color works best for you?

What color is best in which conditions? murkey water? Fast moving water? Clear water?

What color line would you use while targeting walleyes? Bluegills? Steelhead?

Do you think there really is a difference?

Does it matter or is it just a marking thing by retailers to get more of our money?
[signature]

Good question Mike. It seems this one comes up from time to time.

Question 1: I think the color of the line can matter but doesn't always matter. I think what really effects it's relavence are the following things:

a. Water conditions/clarity
b. Species of fish you are targeting
c. depth of water you are fishing in
d. time of day (day or night)

If the water is murkey or rough, I don't think line color really matters at all. Most fish that inhabit bodies of water that are traditionally rough, muddy or murkey, and have a realtively low visibility; hunt using their senses of smell, feel, and electro-sensory. it's kind of hard to hunt by sight if you can't see. LOL Next, if you're fishing is wicked deep water, like in the gulf stream, I think you could fish with neon yellow line and it wouldn't make a difference either way. Plus, the fish are so big down there, they don't really care anyhow. But, I would agree that certain color lines are less visible than others in different light/depth situations. But that's common sense. Next, the species of fish has a lot to do with it. For instance, a catfish really isn't a very line shy species of fish, nor are they reputable for being eagle eyed anyhow, so the color of line doesn't matter. But trout on the other hand have decent vision and are known to be finiky at times, so line color may be a factor. Honestly, if someone is trying to "camo" their line, the best way to do that is to tie on a fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon really does make a difference.

Question 2: On my trolling reels, I like green or clear mono line, as it seems to blend in with the local water color pretty good. When in dought, clear line is always a good option no matter what. On my chunking reels and catfish reels, I use a high visibility yellow super braid (power pro), since color really isn't and issue there, and I like being able to see where my line is. My bream poles are strung up with green Super braid. In all honesty, it really doesn't matter though. The type of line is more important to me than the color.

Question 3: already answered

Question 4:

a. I've never fished for walleyes, so I go back to my comment above. When in dought, clear line is always a good option.

b. bluegills/bream/ crappie, I like braid line, and I usually go with green. In very clear water, I may tie on a light fluorocarbon leader. When you use a clear leader like I mentioned, the color of line is no factor since you're using a leader.

c. Not sure about steelheads either, so I'd go back to clear.

Question 5: I don't think there is a prominant difference. If a clear mono or Fluorocarbon leader is used, the line color is no longer relavent anyhow.

Question 6: Normally, the line costs the same rather you get clear or hot pink. But, they hook us because we have to spend the money to find out for our selves, rather it really makes a difference or not. It's in our nature to not believe what people tell us, we have to see it for our selves. You figure if every angler on the planet bought a 10 dollar spool of line just because they came out with a new cool color, that's a lot of money getting dumped into the market. []
[signature]

[black][size 3]There is one other way to avoid the color conflict, and that's to use a line that "can't be seen".[/size][/black]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Either fluorocarbon, or that new crystal fireline.[/size]
[size 3]Both are advertised to be invisible under water.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[size 3]Good reports from those that use either of these lines.[/size]
[size 3][/size]
[signature]

I've read about this Crystal Fireline, but i've never actually seen it. I'd be interested in personally having a look at it to see what all the fuss is about. I know Al Linder sponsors the stuff, and he's a pretty decent angler. I just wonder if he is talking it up because they are one of his sponsors, or because it's actually a good product.

Honestly, i've tried the regular fireline stuff, and I wasn't impressed. I thought is was wirey and hard to work with. I'd much rather use one of the high quality super braids of today than a wirey line. But, it's been a long time since i've tried fireline, and it may be a lot better than when I tried it previously.

Now fluorocarbon, on the other hand, does work. Not only is it nearly invisible under water, it has much less stretch and seems to hold up better to abrassion. I use high quality fluoro like Seagar all the time in salt and freshwater applications. []
[signature]

I used the Crystal fireline for 2 weeks straight. It was given to me by one of my sponsors (Trilene).

I only had 2 positive comments on it and several negatives for my review on it even after they explained the pricing on it for the general public.

Here is a snip from my report.

6/17/05
Price: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Flexibility: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Strength: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Durability: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Knot Strength: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Memory: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Stretch: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Stacking: Excellent Good Fair Poor

Casting (Spin): Excellent Good Fair Poor

Casting (Bait): Excellen Good Fair Poor

Over all rating: This line needs improvement prior to introduction to general public. Line may be suitable for low end sales ie: K Mart, small sporting goods.


This test was done a couple of years ago. It was voted down by several members of the panel. I re tested it recently and the scores went down further as of 10/23/07[]
[signature]

I used the crystal Fireline on one rod all last year. Not that impressed and I use alot of Fireline. I can still see it 2-3ft down.[crazy] For weeds I don't see what difference it would make, but I do use floracarbon for cranking, just to be on the save side.
[signature]