What Is The Best Color Braided Fishing Line For Bass?

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If you are looking for the best color braided fishing line to catch bass, consider your fishing situation, most of all, the color of the water you are fishing in. Use white and blue braid lines in clear water and bright colors (red, yellow, green, pink) in cloudy water.

Even though using a braided fishing line has many benefits, bass anglers sometimes frown upon it and use a monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing line instead. But why?

The problem is that braided fishing line is much more visible in the water. Some fishermen thus believe using a braid hinders their bass fishing success. 

I would disagree, though.

Braided lines come in many colors. Hence, you can match the color of the line with the color of the water. Besides, you can always combine it with a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader to minimize its visibility in the water

Moreover, there are numerous reasons for a braided line to be the number one choice for bass fishing in many situations. For starters, braided lines are ultra-sensitive and indispensable when muscling the bass out of heavy cover.

Let’s see what is the best color braided fishing line for bass, and discover all its advantages and disadvantages!

Can Bass See A Braided Line?

Close up face to face view of a Bass fish
Image credit: flickr.com

Bass can see a braided fishing line. After all, they are highly skilled predators sitting at the top of the food chain in most freshwater ecosystems. They wouldn’t be there if not for their supreme sense of sight and sound detection.

So, the real question is: can bass learn to consider the fishing line dangerous?

Many professional anglers believe that bass become educated once caught and released. They think the ones that escape the hook learn to avoid it, too.

According to this hypothesis, bass first need to experience a situation that teaches them fishing lines (and bait and lures) are dangerous. Only then can they react to one when they see it again. This theory is backed up by recent University of Illinois research.

However, not everybody agrees with this idea. For some, thinking bass are intelligent enough to determine what to do or not to do to avoid danger based on past experience seems quite unrealistic

Aquarium fish do get educated over time. Even though they are afraid of humans at the beginning, after a while, they start swimming to the surface when they see their owner approaching to feed them. It only takes a week or so for them to learn human hand means food, not a danger. In time, as some studies proved, fish can even recognize a familiar face.

Why would bass be any different?

Many animal species learn through negative experiences (negative reinforcement) more rapidly than through positive ones. Therefore, it is highly plausible bass can remember the fishing line as a negative experience, and in a short time too.  

Even if you do not believe bass are capable of contemplating danger based on past experiences, it does not mean they won’t avoid strange objects in their environment. Bass rely on instinct. It means they can sense something is off and evade a dangerous situation.

So, what’s the conclusion?

In short: Bass can definitely see a braided line, especially in clear water. Therefore, assuming that they recognize it as something to avoid (which is open to discussion), you should best try to keep your braided fishing line as inconspicuous as possible.

In muddy, dark, or stained water, visibility is not much of a concern. However, if you want to enjoy a successful bass fishing day in clear water on a clear, sunny day, you have to get a bit creative (especially when using a colored line).

A braided fishing line is clearly more observable than mono or fluoro in most settings. However, not all line colors are equally visible

Different colors perform differently depending on the color of the water. It brings us to the question of the day: What color braided fishing line to use and when?

What Color Braided Fishing Line Is The Best?

Fishing team of two doing high five after catching a bass fish
Image credit: flickr.com

When you go to a tackle store to buy a braided fishing line, you’ll be presented with an array of options: a blue line, a yellow line, a green line, a red line, etc. Choosing the best braided fishing line for your application is thus not easy!

In essence, the best color fishing line depends on where you fish and how you fish. As we have already established, you should first try to camouflage your high visibility line by matching its color with the color of the water you’re fishing in. Also, consider other significant factors, such as the weather, time of the day, season, amount of shade, etc.

Let’s see what color braided line to use in different circumstances:

Green Line

A bright green colored braided line for bass fishing
Image credit: reactiontackle.com

A green braided line is the best color for bass fishing in many situations, especially when fishing grass or cutting through the underwater vegetation. The green moss line blends in with the color of the stained, muddy water pretty well, making it very difficult for fish to spot it. It is not a top pick in crystalline water, though.

Yellow Line

Bright yellow colored braided line for bass fishing

A bright color braided fishing line, such as yellow, enables you to detect even the slightest movement and react immediately. Hence, it is a great option for finesse fishing, primarily for cast and retrieve fishing, when you often cannot feel a bite because of the slack line. 

You should avoid using a yellow fishing line when fishing open water, trolling or jigging. It is best suited for casting from shore or your boat. You can always see the yellow color braid, and you won’t ever lose sight of your lure.

White Line

An almost invisible braided fishing line for bass fishing
Image credit: reactiontackle.com

A white fishing line is almost invisible in crystal clear water. However, fish can spot it quite easily in stained water.

Blue Line

A blue fishing braided line that is best using in clear water

A blue fishing line, just like a white one, is best used in clear water. It is much more visible in murky water. 

Red Line 

A red fishing line used in two fishing rods

A red fishing line is highly visible in most situations, making it ideal if you are a line watcher with poor eyesight. This color enables you to see when your line moves even if you do not feel a strike and thus helps improve your hookset ratio.

However, a red line is not ideal for jigging and trolling. It also sticks out like a sore thumb when the water is clear. 

Black Line

A black fishing line that is best used in bass fishing on muddy and dark waters
Image credit: reactiontackle.com

A black line is a great choice for fishing bass in muddy, dark water, or low light conditions. It is a subtle line that blends in pretty well. 

Look at the following video to see how each color braid did in an underwater visibility test:

Extra advice:

When using bright line colors (yellow, pink, red), use a clear mono or fluoro as your leader to avoid spooking the fish. A long leader eliminates the problem of high visibility regardless of the water clarity or color and allows you to catch more fish.

The best knot to connect two lines is the FG knot. Watch the following video to learn how to tie the strongest braid to the leader fishing knot:

The Pros & Cons Of Using A Braided Fishing Line

A man with his fishing rod with red braided fishing line

If you avoid using braided fishing lines only because of their visibility in the water, think again! There are numerous advantages you are missing out on.

What’s more, the braided fishing line is not always more visible than the fluorocarbon one. Unlike a flat-colored braid, a fluorocarbon line is shiny. Hence, in situations when light bounces off the fluoro, it becomes more visible than a braid, and you can notice it in the water.

Here are all the pros and cons of using a braided fishing line:

Pros

  • Small diameter so less drag on the lure and more natural presentation
  • Outstanding strength (less likely to break off)
  • Superior on a spinning reel
  • Zero stretch
  • Facilitates easy casting
  • Less chance of twisting
  • Enables greater casting distance 
  • Allows you to get some lures such as jigs and trolled plugs deeper into the water
  • Allows you to spool greater lengths on your fishing reel

Cons

  • More expensive
  • Harder to cut
  • More visible
  • Feels slippery when tying a knot

FAQs

Does braid color matter for bass?

Braid color matters for bass, and you will have more success catching these predatory fish if you choose the right color for every fishing situation. Select bright colors such as green, red, yellow, or pink for fishing in cloudy water. Use a white or blue fishing line for clear water.

Can Bass see green braided line?

Bass can see green braided fishing line in clear water. Therefore, you should best use a green color braid only for fishing in murky water or grass-covered areas. You can also combine it with a leader to reduce its visibility. 

Is black braided line good for fishing?

Black braided line is good for fishing bass in muddy, dark water. It is also suitable for deep water fishing when there is less light. Black is not the best choice for fishing in clear water or close to the water surface.

What colors can fish not see?

Fish can see different colors depending on their habitat and numerous other factors. Most fish have developed eyes that can detect the colors they encounter in their environment. Hence, inshore fish have much better color vision than offshore pelagic fish.

Final Words Of Wisdom

A happy fisherman shows off his catch of two big bass fish

Do not avoid using a braid just because it is more visible in the water! It is an excellent choice for bass fishing, especially in combination with a spinning reel

If bass are hungry enough, they’ll take a bite, regardless of what type of line you use. When they are pickier, simply use your newly-gained knowledge to choose the best color braided line for your situation, and you should be fine. 

If you need any help, reach out to me in the comments! Happy fishing!

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Louis McCarthy

With over 40 years of fishing experience, I am a true veteran of the sport with a passion for reeling in the big ones. From coast to coast, I have lived in some of the best fishing spots the US has to offer. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and love for the sport, one catch at a time. Join me as I explore the great outdoors and share my expertise in the art of fishing. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

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