I have heard conflicting info on this. One says straight braid reduces hook ups while another says it is not an issue. Which is it?

you ask as many people and you will get as many different answers ranging from Yes it does to sometimes to maybe to bass aren't line shy.  The only way to know is to try it for your self and see how it impacts your fishing in your waters.

 

I use straight braid for everything and rarely if ever even use a leader and I do as well as my buddies who use leaders or no braid at all.  

I think active bass don't care. Neutral or negative bass might care. In pressured, clear water I'm throwing a leader. Otherwise, probably not.

Theres no way to know for sure, really. And even if there were it would vary from day to day or even hour to hour based on a multitude of factors.

 

Personally, I used to use straight braid and caught fish on it, but I decided that i would rather just use fluoro and be absolutely positive my line wasn't costing me any bites. Personally I think fluoro is a superior line anyways, but thats a whole other topic.

I use both depending on the situation since I fish braid on everything I have.  If I'm worried about fish seeing then I fish a topshot.  If a topshot isn't an option, well then I use a marker to break up the uniformity of the braid by coloring dark sections of approx 6-12" on the first 4 ft of the braid I'm fishing.  Bottom line is YOU have to have confidence in what you're doing otherwise you will feel it isn't going to work.  But as far as reduced hookups, if I miss a bite it's my fault,  I don't think I have a reduced hook up rate with either. 

I think of line like I do reels and rods. Its a toolbox. I use different line for different techniques. IMO there is no one best line because they each have their pros/cons. Can fish be line shy? I believe so depending on conditions that there are way to many to get into. I have 9 casting setups and of those 6 of 9 have braid. Some might have leaders if I feel the conditions dictate. Depending on conditions I have 8,12, and 20lb fluoro.

You will get comfortable with the right way to fish each and gain confidence. Or you will find a different line to try. There is really no right or wrong answer to your question. Sorry.

Here's a list of what I use.
Spinnerbait-braid (20lb Cxx leader if needed)
Crankbaits-braid (20lb sunline if needed)
Frogs-braid (NO LEADER)
Jigs-braid (12 or 20lb Fluoro depending on cover if needed)
Jerkbaits- braid (12lb yo-zuri or Fluoro leader always)
Flipping-braid (NO LEADER)
Plastics 1- 12lb fluoro
Plastics 2- 12lb yo-zuri

Opie, are you talking about getting less or more bites with braid in clear water or physically sticking the fish with braid? If it's the number of bites you get, I agree with the thought that active fish probably don't care but finicky/pressured fish might. I also agree with Gulf in that you really do have to be confident in your complete setup; from rod to reel to line to knots, hook, baits, scents etc... Personally, I want the best shot at getting every single bite I can so I use a fluoro leader all the time. I have never had an issue with any part of this setup so why not?

Scientific fact, bass lack the brain capacity to logically think thus bass see food, they eat if hungry. Bass do not think hey that is fishing line better not eat that.

true but they are also have instincts to flee or check out things they don't know what it is, like a fishing line for example.  There are also arguments made that they can become conditioned to certain baits so why not line too?

 

Personally, i don't think bass have the ability to discern that said bait was tied to said line and then after being caught say wait there is some line, i better not eat whats at the end of it.

I use braided line without any leader.

 

BUT, I use a big red hook to distract the bass's attention away from the terminal snap,

clevis, fiber weedguard, double rattlebox & fishing line.       Seems to work     

All kidding aside, would a shad be safe if a length of braided line got wrapped around its gill cover?

I sure wouldn't want to be that shad.

 

Roger 

I agree that bass don't really think, but I do think they can tell the difference between their natural prey and a unnatural imitation and sometimes braid looks pretty unnatural to me.

I do like to use braid often though, most of the time with a leader. If I can get away with no leader and go straight braid then I will. Ultimately it's a confidence and preference thing.

Color the braid with black sharpie if you fish darker water, makes it almost invisible

I agree that bass don't really think, but I do think they can tell the difference between their natural prey and a unnatural imitation and sometimes braid looks pretty unnatural to me.

 

 

If they can tell the difference between natural prey and an unnatural imitation, how is it we all catch them on imitations? Braid looks unnatural but hooks, metal blades, wires, plastic and wood are natural? Of all the unnatural stuff we throw at the fish, why is it that the line is what will turn the fish off?

I've never had a bass tell me why he or she did or didn't take my lure, so I'm just going off of my experience fishing in the super clear rivers, streams and ponds in my area. Its just my .02 cents, that's all.

Buck Perry always said that he wanted fish to see his line - and thereby leading them to the lure! Not sure if that's true or false, but I use fluorocarbon leaders anyway. But NOT for the lesser visibility factor. Rather for it's abrasion resistance and to a degree, it's stretch, which affords some shock absorption. This last factor can be troublesome with some presentations.

That's interesting, I've never thought about it like that. I've recently been experimenting with an all braid slip shot rig to fish deep weedlines and brush piles and so far I'm liking it.

I know I've said this before, but the A-Rig was outlawed because of it's effectiveness & it looks like a wad of coat hangers coming through the water. If the presentation & action is right, I don't think it matters.