I've been using 30# Suffix braid for jigs and it's never let me down....but I'm wondering if I'm missing possible bites (if fish can see the braid). I only fish 2 lakes:

Henry Neely (Coosa River) - 80% of my trips - water clarity is usually about 10-15 inches

Guntersville (TN River) - 20% of my trips - water clarity is usually 1-2 feet

 

I only have 1 jig rod, so I've gotta pick 1 jig line. If you feel fluoro is the way to go, which line do you recommend?

Bottom line..... could using straight braid be causing me to miss out on bites? I don't fish "ultra clear" lakes as you can see in the descriptions above.

 

Thanks.

 

 

It should be fine. If you're worried about fish seeing your line use a fluro leader.

It should be fine. If you're worried about fish seeing your line use a fluro leader.

This^^

Tight lines

Andrew

NO!!!!

If it gives you more confidence throw a leader on but I think you would be fine with straight braid in the places you mentioned.

I was gonna include "I really don't want to fool with leaders - it's just one more knot to snap on me" (which has happened in the past) - but I said "No one will probably tell me to use a leader." --- LOL

You can try it, but I seriously doubt you will se any increase in bites. I've said this many times in the past. If the bass are so smart that they can figure out that line is bad, how come they can't figure out that your jig is not real food? Why can't they tell the big hook is bad? Besides, no line is invisible.

I would try an outting with a leader. Go a few hours with the leader and then take it off.  if you got a few more strikes, then you may decide its worth the change.  The managment of fluorocarbon compared to Braid and the strength of braid may not be worth it to you. 

Stay braid. I use flouocarbon only because I have to in the vgin clear water here in WA. I would love to go back like in CT but I get no bites

Yes, switch to fluoro. In my opinion it is so worth the hassle. There's a reason most of the pros use fluoro for darn near everything.

Stick with the braid...everyone on here is going to tell you fish can see the line and all that jazz....don't believe it.  Stick with what you got, you're doing it right.

Or... you could simply try out using a leader and 

see if it makes a difference for YOU.

Stick with the braid...everyone on here is going to tell you fish can see the line and all that jazz....don't believe it. Stick with what you got, you're doing it right.

I think fluoro's benefits extend FAR past visibility. I think it handles way better in the wind and, in my experience, casts further than braid. By sinking it is more sensitive for bottom bouncing lures if you ever have a slack line. Braid is only more sensitive if you're actively dragging the lure and your line is taut. And either way, if fluoro helps me get one more bite than braid it's worth it to me.

I think line visibility is a non-issue..even if you were in clear water.  Scott provided a good example of why above.  (flouro isn't invisible anyway, despite popular belief)

 

I prefer flouro because when I fish a jig, 90% of the time I'm casting longer distances instead of flipping/pitching the short stuff...I get a better feel with flouro since there is always going to be a slight bow in the line, especially in deeper water, when fishing them this way.  I have tried braid and didn't like it for the way I fish, when the jig was falling or resting on the bottom it was more difficult to feel what was happening.  

 

For short distance stuff I imagine it wouldn't matter as much.  You could always just try it and see what you think, that's what I did to make my decision . 

Yes, switch to fluoro. In my opinion it is so worth the hassle. There's a reason most of the pros use fluoro for darn near everything.

X2. I use fluoro for everything except top water... For obvious reasons!

Do whatever gives you confidence.  Stand on your head and clap your feet together if it gives you the warm and fuzzies inside.  I fish in 20+ visibility with red power pro #50 so take from that what you will.  I believe that fishing line is incomprehensible to bass and things such as boat visibility are what actually matter.     

in the type of water you are fishing I would stick with braid, just learn to line watch to detect subtle bites. I use a lot of floro for many different reasons, visibility, slack line sensitivity, and abrasion resistance, but when I can get away with braid I usually prefer it...

 

Mitch

I would say use Fluoro, but I really like Fluoro.

I say stick with braid:

 

1. Use a leader if you are concerned with visibility. If you are breaking your leaders, you are doing it wrong. (obviously unless you are pulling straight back against a snag or aren't watching for nicks)

 

2. If using a bright braid, if it makes you feel better use a dark marker to color the last few feet of line up to the lure.

 

3. I use high-vis yellow braid on all of my set ups and am successful in all types of water. I use leaders on most rods but my jig rod is the one I rarely use them because if im in heavy cover, I could care less about line visibility.

I like a leader on all braided lines for several reasons:

 

1.  Reduced visibility

2.  Abrasion resistance

3.  The ability to break-off when needed

 

 

Thank you everyone. The answers were pretty much 50/50 ---- stay with braid --- switch to fluoro. I am going to buy a spool of 20# red label seaguar and add a leader to my 30# braid. I've decided to do this because I'll be using that rod to punch mats at Guntersville in August and will need straight braid for power. Now, what knot is best to connect the lines so that the braid doesn't cut right through it?

I use the double uni knot and love it, but i know there are a bunch of guys that use other ones that work great too. joining the braid to 20 lb floro will create a pretty decent size knot so depending on the rod guides it may get a little interesting if you use a longer leader...

 

Mitch

I think fluoro's benefits extend FAR past visibility. I think it handles way better in the wind and, in my experience, casts further than braid. By sinking it is more sensitive for bottom bouncing lures if you ever have a slack line. Braid is only more sensitive if you're actively dragging the lure and your line is taut. And either way, if fluoro helps me get one more bite than braid it's worth it to me.

My Football Jig Setup (for bottom bouncing) : 15lb. Seaguar AbrazX FC Line , 7:1:1 Baitcast Reel , 7' MH Rod.

Do everything suggested here and you should be fine.

Hootie

Do everything suggested here and you should be fine.

Hootie

Now there's helpful information.