Avoid Using Clear Fishing Line

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

One of my favorite tips for people I fish with is, "Except for flourocarbon, never use clear line." Clear line is only invisible under one condition. The combination of clear skies and clear water.

Always use a line with a tint! It cannot be seen during the day and is absolutely stealth "off the reel" in dark conditions.

Have fun,

Capt. Ed

[Flukedood]

I just recently switched to fluouro carbon in the last couple of years.. It can be pricey but I have noticed a considerable improvement in hookups..

[drome]

I fish with a very reptuable captain in montauk every sept for bass...  Ive been on trips with him where he has two poles set up with flouro and two set up with moimoi (mind my spelling im exhausted today) and watched the flouro only have bites... Then I've been on his boat when the moimoi only works...  I've also been on a trip where floro works for an hour then just turns off..

The main question I usually ask is "why" and I've gotten every outlandish theory you can imagine from his mates, only a smile from the Capt.

[woodrufflou]

wow, never knew that. Guess you learn something new every day. Thanks guys

[Sam3]

Wow. Something I didn't know about. Thanks for the info.

[woodrufflou]

Thats good to know captain lindsay...thanks for the info

[shadyvito]

I never put too much thought into line color.  What about fly line and leader colors.  I'm soon going to buy a sinking line for the eight weight and would like some suggestions on brand and now color.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young Gull,

Yes ... however, it was far from a scientific study. Unfortunately, I was using a long fluorocarbon leader so that may skew results.

I use it for throwing sub-surface plugs.

I have subsequently decided to use Izorline (smoke color) for all my non-braid applications.

I think it has merit to use it.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Ed,

I like "smoke color." I have used yo-zuri and High Seas (offshore tuna) in that color combination. Both worked for me.

I switched from yo-zuri and Momoi to Izorline (smoke color) recently. I don't know is Izorline is available around here. I get it in California.

I use Izorline for leaders now as well as it is "soft" enough and yet more durable than regular mono and may make a good leader material (and it is absolutely invisible in the water - as I had a chance to dive on a wreck while my mates fished the Izorline last Summer.

I must say there are many very good products to choose from, including the old standbye, Ande. I think it keeps me thinking and passionate about the sport to try new products. I am not sure that they improve my catch but let me tell you, it is cool to use a graphite rod with a Tekota 800 with pre-marked Monel wireline rather than the Penn 113H with unmarked wire with a heavy fiberglass rod, for one example.

Best wishes,

Capt. Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young Gull,

The incredible thing about Mike Laptew is that he free dives. The problem is that most of his filming is done in 1-20ft. or so max.

I have done a bunch of still underwater photography. That has cost about $1,500 or the camera and another couple thousand for lenses.

I have purchased an underwater camera to put on a downrigger to do a quick check of an area (wreck).

I am currently looking into digital underwater cameras. As nice as Mike's stuf is, he still does not capture the true landscape, especially deep water fishing.

If you wan to be involved, I'll let you know how I am progressing.

Thanks,

Ed

[technologist]

Red is the color that disappears under water first. That's the reason for the cajun red line!And I believe pp is coming out with a red line this yeay!

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young gull and all,

This is a topic that I have spent much time researching. Red is an interesting color, especially for lures. As for line, I tried red line but discovered that red line does not work well at night with finicking bites. This will be the topic of articles I am going to complete in the future.

Let's make the case.

The question of what color fly, lure or line to use is a subject of considerable debate and controversy amongst fisherman (and scientists). Remember that the color red quickly disappears and becomes gray and then black, within 10-20 ft. of the surface or vertically from the fish - yet red may provide good contrast in low-light conditions and many anglers have success using red lures in the dark.

This brings up a few topics. How do fish see? What is the eye configuration for different types of fish? How does color versus contrast come into play within those eye configurations? And so on ...

I know this for fact. That if I had to use red line or hooks, I would not use them in low-light conditions or at night, as their contrast actually reveals the hook/line/lure to certain fish species, including Stripers.

From research and on-water observations, I choose "smoke" color as it is best in almost all cases, especially at night (there are captains in California that do not allow it at night for some anglers that they do not know as you they absolutely cannot see the line and losing the location of the line may become dangerous on a Party boat). Here is what I have spooled up ...

1. All bottom lines are power pro with a top shot of fluorocarbon or smoke Izorline.

2. Light tackle, shallow water gear has fluorocarbon (especially if the water is clear). This is the only case that clear mono may actually have an advantage over colored line.

3. Applications that call for mono over braid I use "smoke" Izorline.

4. Trolling - I use Power Pro in yellow for backing with a top shot of Izorline or flurocarbon. The yellow lets me see where the line is in relation to the boat (or engine, especially important with turning an outboard driven boat).

Here is the reality. This only matters in the case where fish are not feeding aggressively. If they are on the feed and there is competition for food, it does not matter.

Let's start some threads on all these things!

Tight lines,

Capt. Ed

[catfish hunter]

what do you think about the red power pro ,I just ordered a thousand yards

[Flukedood]

This may be a stupid question but what applications would you use the somke Izorline over braid??

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Flukedood,

If I am not on my boat going offshore after tuna (i.e. most Party boats going offshore, if not all in my area, prohibit the use of braid).

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[Flukedood]

Ok, got ya Capt Ed, I have a couple of older Penn spinning reels and from what I have been told will not do well with braid.. My newer rods all have braid, i love the sensitivity I get with it. Besides mono what can I use on the older Penns? The one 550 I want to set up for stripers..

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Flukedood,

I am not sure why anyone would say that braid would not work on the reel. I have plenty of old Penns with braid on them.

Do you put mono on the reel spool first? I put about 20 yards or so of mono (I use 20 lb. Ande that has been lying around and evenly wrap it on the spool with enough line so that no part of the spool is showing) and then splice the braid to the mono. A uni-to-uni knot will work fine.

The reason people say not to use the braid is probably because the line is spinning on the spool. The mono provides enough friction to stop that. I know folks that wrap tape around the spool first as well.

Of course, if you have an old reel with a plastic spool, I would not use braid.

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[Flukedood]

Thanks captian ED I was wondering why I I couldnt use braid.. I will back them with the mono and put briad on them Thank you..

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Flukedood,

There are a lot of "myths" and misinformation about fishing/boating equipment. I don't know why, but there are.

If something does not seem right, question it.

If I can ever be of help, just ask. I don't pretend to know everything, but I try to help "honestly".

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

[Flukedood]

Hi Flukedood,

There are a lot of "myths" and misinformation about fishing/boating equipment. I don't know why, but there are.

If something does not seem right, question it.

If I can ever be of help, just ask. I don't pretend to know everything, but I try to help "honestly".

Thanks,

Capt. Ed

I sure will thanks..