I just purchased some Power Pro Yellow line and am curios about opinions on whether or not the Hi Vis line spook fish.  I fish a lot of Senkos and Fat IKA's and like to line watch.  At 65 the old eyesight is not what it used to be, so I am hoping the more visible line will be an advantage to me and not the fish.

I would certainly hesitate to use it, especially for soft plastics and jigs where the fish will get a long, good look at it. I realize, though, that these are the techiques when line watching is a must. I would suggest you use a fluoro leader if you can see well enough to tie a good knot to join the two. If not, at least you are fishing! It may not be as bad as I imagine.

My feeling is just the opposite as Ceph.

I think that because these baits are worked deep, unless you have California clear water, line visiblity becomes a non issue.

I use alot of braid, and I use alot of leaders because of confidence.  but I tell you, I am NOT convinced that it matters.

I live in florida and fish shallow, weedy lakes.  The water can be fairly clear, but there is always some stain to it, not to mention all the pieces of grass floating around.  Yet, even though I have lost a few nice fish to a knot slip, I can't bring myself to fish without the leader, UNLESS I'm using a jig or worm.

I too have gotten on in years.  My problem is not so much vision, but arthritis, tendenitis, bursitis, and few other "itises" associated with gettin older have impaired my hook setting ability.  That no stretch braid makes up for that in spades.

My feeling is just the opposite as Ceph.

I think that because these baits are worked deep, unless you have California clear water, line visiblity becomes a non issue.

I use alot of braid, and I use alot of leaders because of confidence. but I tell you, I am NOT convinced that it matters.

I live in florida and fish shallow, weedy lakes. The water can be fairly clear, but there is always some stain to it, not to mention all the pieces of grass floating around. Yet, even though I have lost a few nice fish to a knot slip, I can't bring myself to fish without the leader, UNLESS I'm using a jig or worm.

I too have gotten on in years. My problem is not so much vision, but arthritis, tendenitis, bursitis, and few other "itises" associated with gettin older have impaired my hook setting ability. That no stretch braid makes up for that in spades.

Avid, a drop of super glue will help those line to leader connections from slipping.  When I was big into snook fishing, I found that it really helped with my "quick knots".  Really hard to tie a good line to leader connection when there's snook popping all around and you just got broken off AGAIN.

As for the high visibility line.  I'm afraid of it.  I'll tell you that high vis mono looks like laser beams coming from my rod in the sun.  I've got to imagine it's visible in the water.  But of course this is an argument that will probably never be settled.

Ditto. I used the Power Pro yellow and have not seen a real difference in numbers. I use a fluro leader with soft plastics because I always have? I don't think it makes a real difference though.  But with hard baits and wire baits I tie directly on.

I use Berkley Big Game in green, dark blue, and amber because with age comes a lack of vision. The hi-vis lines help me see it better thus improving my catch ratio and besides I have noticed no difference in the number of bass caught.  

Lots'a walley fishermen in the Detroit and St. Claire rivers use Yellow braided lines for jigging. Some tie directly to the jig, some use a leader(mono or fluoro). Some use a black permanent marker (like Sharpie) to colour a couple of feet at the end of the braid; the braid becomes dark olive/ greenesh. Of course they use the thinnest ones (with like 2lb diameter).

Tieing directly doesn't seem to lower the catch rate.

Hope it helps.

Wow, well a lot of different opinions respectfully, but I have noticed a difference in fishing lines and catch ratio.  I live in central Indiana and most of our lakes are absoulutely pounded by fisherman.  I don't think you can catch a 3lb bass without seeing evidence it being caught before (mangled mouth).  Anyway, I fish tournaments mostly as a co-angler , but I have noticed when using soft plastics of anykind that if my partner isn't using some type of low visability line, floro, co-poly, whatever, I usually get more hits and catches then they do from the back of there boat.  Even when we are using the same exact lure, scent, whatever.

Toledobasser, if I were you, I would consider tying on a 2 or 3 ft leader of florocarbon on the end.  Just my my observation.  You might also try a 15 to 20lb florocarbon line if you have trouble with visibilty.  That stuff still almost disapears once in the water, but you can still see the line above the water.

If that still doesn't work, use a black marker about 10 to 15 ft above where you tie your line on and then mark your line every 5ft or so.  This should help you see it better.

In my personal opinions, and those of scientific knowledge, red diffuses infradically in the water.  Basically, in Lahmen's terms, it becomes invisible to the eye.  I have a line that in the light transitions from a clear, to a gold, and in the water is completely invisible.  It's the transitions line by Berkley, and it works wonderful!  It turns a vibrant gold color, that is very easy to see!  The only gripe I have with it, is that the lighter test, 4LB is junk...  It frayed after my first time using it...  Rather sad, since the line is about 15 bucks a spool!  I am not sure about the heavier lines, as I normally just use a spider wire mono filament line.

Sorry, but red does not become invisible to the eye, it turns black.  At least this is what Doug Hannon says happens.

Seems that doug hannon has some serious seeing ability, or he is just full of bologna!  lol  It changes to a clearer color due to refractiveness...  

Seems that doug hannon has some serious seeing ability, or he is just full of bologna! lol It changes to a clearer color due to refractiveness...

You might get some differing opinions from your own on Doug Hannon....

I've heard several opinions that agree with Doug Hannon.

I'm no scientist or researcher though.

B

just tie a fluro or mono leader and u ll be fine

in the waters i fish leader or no leader makes no difference

i think its more a confidence thing

experiment 2 c what works best for u

In LAYMANs terms, red does not become "invisible" It just becomes a grayish color. I think transition is a junk line, but my dad has very poor eyesight and I spool it on his rod for him.

For that matter flouros are not "invisible" either they just refract light very similar to water.

Red is invisible??? So why do red hooks, bleeding trailers, and red spots on cranks and other baits  "simulate blood and trigger strikes"? Its just an easily skewed scientific property that makes for easy marketing.

To give my opinion on the original question. I have ZERO faith in hi vis lines with no leader. I do fish in gin clear water though. But having no confidence doesn't mean it won't work, which I am sure it will.

I don't have personal experience with fishing with poor sight, but having spent alot of time on the water with my father, I can see how frustrating it can be.

Perhaps you could pre tie a bunch of leaders at home under a magnifying lens. Just tie  a couple feet to a small ball bearing swivel and some of the baits you plan on using. then on the water you can tie the hi-vis line to the swivel and be ready to fish without having to worry about tying lo vis lines or missing potential bites with hi-vis.

First of all, thanks to all for your input.  However, now I have discovered a new  problem I need your views on.  Yesterday I spooled it up to give it a try.  Tied on a 4/0 Gamakatsu hook with a Palomar knot and a 5" Senko and let fly.  About a dozen or so cast later, got that thump, thump that speeds up the old heart, set the hook and the freakin line broke or come untied, ( was not able to tell for sure), so, I went through the process again, only with a improved clinch knot this time.  I few cast later, there was that thump, thump again, and the same thing happens. 15# line just snaps like thread.  Am I doing something wrong or is this line crap?

I would recomend going to at least 30lb braid for baits that require a hard hookset. Since braid has no stretch, when you shock load it like that, it just pops in the smaller lb classes. 30lb still has the diameter of like 8lb test or something, so its not to thick.

Or you could just train yourself to set much lighter, but that is VERY hard for me to do!

There must be something wrong with ur line

I use power pro 20lb for t-rig applications. I m known around here for setting the hook very hard and up 2 now 20lbs never failed me. I also use palomar knot.

I say if you are happy with high vis, then use it. I only use low vis green. I would not use another color. I don't think I could either. I cannot see it either but, have adapted using my sense of feel. I am sorry, I watched to much of the Kung Fu series didn't I? Never mind. ;D