I’m looking to fish an application of say 20lb braid around grass on a whacky rig. I’m looking to use hi vis braid so I can detect slack like bites but I want to eliminate the leader due to the strength needed impacting the bait. I’ve seen where you can use dye markers or liquid dye. Has anyone done this and do you find it to be sucessful?

Using a magic marker with V cut in the middle to run your line through is almost as old as I am

Mike

https://www.dollargeneral.com/p/sharpie-magnum-permanent-marker-with-chisel-tip/071641441019

I saw a guide one time use black Spike It dye. He said he got the color and scent.

Black marker on the first 2-3 ft of braid seems to get me more bites and bigger bites than the standard grey or green low vis braid colors without the black marker. It’s something I almost always do now when I’m fishing a frog. Doing it on high vis line makes a lot of sense - gonna have to try it one of these days.

It is also nice to put little ticks of black on high viz further up the line to show movement better.

Not sure we know how fish see things, but isnt black the most visible color, particularly from below. Seems like there may be situations where making the line darker makes it more noticible; but my guess is that none of this matters. I use flouro leaders and high viz braid because I like that combo for a variety of reasons.

Why not just run a shorter FC leader. Maybe do 2 feet instead of 10

On 6/1/2026 at 8:00 AM, michaelb said:

Not sure we know how fish see things, but isnt black the most visible color, particularly from below. Seems like there may be situations where making the line darker makes it more noticible; but my guess is that none of this matters. I use flouro leaders and high viz braid because I like that combo for a variety of reasons.

Maybe in crystal clear water but i cant imagine it being an issue with black in stained waters. I use Black braid on my bladed jig rod.

2 hours ago, LGDFW said:

Maybe in crystal clear water but i cant imagine it being an issue with black in stained waters. I use Black braid on my bladed jig rod.

I agree. Its not an issue- even in clear water because the bass do not fear fishing line.

I fish a lot of crystal clear spring fed rivers and lakes. And I use straight braid only. I have not used clear line in decades. No reason to. And I sometimes use hi-vis line in orange, blue, and yellow colors.

I have watched numerous times as baby bass barely 6 inches long and even 12 inch bass swim right up to my braid line floating on surface or just under it and they are pecking at it to see if they can eat it.

Absolutely ZERO fear of my hi-vis braid line. So these days I don't worry about it, and try to darken some line because of an idea or belief that bass are afraid of line. Bass taught me they are not. But to each their own.

Give the hi-vis straight brand a chance as is, and see if it is an issue.

On 6/1/2026 at 9:07 AM, Susky River Rat said:

Why not just run a shorter FC leader. Maybe do 2 feet instead of 10

Because a leader in equal strength is much larger and impacts the worm much more. 20lb maxcuatro power pro is equal to 5lb fc