Does Fishing Line Color Matter?

A common question that most beginning anglers asked is, “Does fishing line color matter?” That is because there is this theory that your line should be invisible to the fish.

This is also a big debate among fishing enthusiasts because some would say the line should be undetectable by the fish, while, some would advise that you should be able to see your line. Moreover, it is really not proven but let’s discuss fishing line colors, so you know which color is best for you needs.

Fishing Line Colors: Defined

Clear Fishing Line

The clear monofilament line is the most generic because it is used for a lot of purposes. Also, it is fairly invisible in the water which is why this is the most popular choice for both skilled anglers and beginners.

There is the clear fluorocarbon as well, which we believe is a better choice than the monofilament. Fluorocarbon filament, although already clear, becomes more undetected when thrown in the water; therefore, it’s the perfect choice for all types of bodies of water.

Yellow Fishing Line

The yellow, or sometimes neon-green, fishing line is often marked as highly visible, and it is frequently used to detect movement on your line. However, it is only used for special purposes.

Furthermore, its bright color allows you to see it quickly and the fish as well. This color is usually used on muddy or dirty water so, as mentioned above, you can notice right away if there are any movements from your catch.

Green Fishing Line

Green fishing lines are a great choice for most bodies of water because they have some sort of a green hue. Green tends to blend in the water like in camouflage; therefore, it becomes unnoticeable.

However, green might not be suitable for clear bodies of water due to its visibility. But then, they are a better choice than yellow because of their versatility.

Blue Fishing Line

Blue is much like green. It is commonly used because of its camouflaging ability, so if the water you’ll be fishing in has a blue tint, this color is a great option.

There is also that clear blue monofilament line which, like the clear lines, disappears in the water but its blue tint allows you to see it easily above water.

Red Fishing Line

Red fishing lines are said to be totally concealed underwater. However, divers say that red objects turn black when placed under water. Therefore, this is a constant debate whether red fishing lines really become invisible or not.

There is also an argument that red can look like blood which is a marketing strategy used by those who produce red-colored hooks. They claim that using red hooks will give you a higher percentage of bites.

With all those said, one thing’s for sure; red fishing lines are used because they are easy to spot above water.

Pink Fishing Line

There are claims that pink fishing lines are difficult to detect underwater. This may be hard to believe, but there is some truth to that because there are scientific studies.

Also, some divers back such claim up. They say that pink fishing lines lose its color in various depths of water which makes them blend in and become invisible to the fish.

Does Fishing Line Color Matter: The Truth

Choosing the right fishing line color will be an endless argument because of the many different claims, but with regard to the question, “Does fishing line color matter?”, the answer is quite uncertain. That is because there is no real proof whether these fishing lines are really invisible to the fish underwater or not.

Nevertheless, it is still good to know the purpose of each color to help increase the odds of reeling in a fish. That is for the reason that the fishing line color is a great tactic to help your line blend into the water and get more fish.

So, the truth of the matter is, there is still a chance of catching a fish no matter what fishing line color you will be using.

Other Factors to Consider

Although the color is important to consider in choosing which fishing line to buy, other factors need to be taken into consideration as well. All of those will be discussed below.

Diameter

The diameter of a fishing line affects the castability, visibility, stretch, and depth of your lures; moreover, a bigger diameter equates to strength. The only problem is, thicker lines are more visible in the water. Therefore, you have to choose the right amount of thickness so that it is strong enough to hold a heavy fish but thin enough to not be seen in the water.

Abrasion Resistance

Fishing lines are exposed to rough conditions such as rocks, trees, and other debris making it important for you to choose a fishing line that has a good abrasion resistance. A broken line will not only cause you to lose your catch but also lures that you have spent your money on.

Stiffness

In general, stiffer lines are harder to cast. As a general rule, the bigger the diameter of the line the stiffer it is. Like mentioned above, the diameter is equal to the thickness of the line and thicker lines are stronger. Therefore, the fishing line you will be choosing must have enough stiffness so that it is easier to cast, but it should also be strong to handle a heavy fish.

Material

Monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braided lines are the most common types of fishing lines. Monofilament is popular because of its versatility and invisibility; however, it is not as strong as the other types of fishing lines. Braided, on the other hand, is popular because it is the strongest among the three, but its downside is it does not disappear in the water.

Finally, fluorocarbon is a good substitute for monofilament lines. They are highly popular because they are nearly invisible underwater and it is stronger than monofilament lines.

Final Words

Fishing line manufacturers develop products that have different colors. According to them, a specific color works best for a particular condition and body of water.

In fact, there are even claims that the visibility of the line underwater depends on the line’s color. Although there are still debates concerning the question “Does fishing line color matter?”, it is still fundamental to consider the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Also, it is also worthy to consider the other factors mentioned above when you scout for clear or colored fishing lines.