Monofilament clear or green?

[Rapaleye]

Thanks for all the answers to my last post on what lb. test to use. Now what color would you use in semi-clear to clear water. I know in stained water it matters less just wondering what to use for clean water.
Thanks in advance.
Jim

[Stezostedion vitreum man]

Rapaleye,

Most people would probably say clear monofilament in clear water. But it doesn't make much difference if you're using clear, green, or whatever other color as long it is not of great contrast to the clear water color. First, walleyes are very near-sighted, anything more than two feet from them and they have a hard time differentiating between objects. Their other senses, mainly the sense of smell and "hearing" (detecting vibrations with their lateral line) makes up for this lack of visual acuity. That is why walleyes usually "mouth" the bait (sense of touch) before swallowing it. If it feels unnatural, it will "spit the hook". So, while different color line may be appropriate for certain situations, in most conditions, it is not of paramount importance as far as the fish is concerned.

As humans, we have very good eyesight(daytime). To test this line color concept, the next time you lower your line in the water, watch it sink until you can no longer see it. The refraction of light (bending) when it hits the water makes it difficult to see, that is why we can see very well on land but not very well under water, the same is true of fish.

One last point, we as humans give fish much too much credit for intelligence. Do you really think that a fish will analyze a potential meal before inhaling it? I don't think a fish makes an association between the bait being impaled on a hook, that is connected to a line (especially a certain colored line), that is connected to a rod, which is connected to a reel, which is connected to a fisherman. I rest my case.

The last question to be answered, however, is the intelligence of the fisherman. Would a fish spend tens-of-thousands of dollars to sit in a boat all day when it's blowing up four foot waves and raining cats and dogs and is so cold your fingers are blue and your nose is running? Makes a person wonder, no?

Remember to keep your eyes open and your feet dry.

S.v.m

[mongo]

I generally prefer the darker green for most applications. Seems to suit the water color, etc. of the waters that I primarily fish. However, I prefer the solar (bright green) line for jigging or pitching cranks...the bright color is really easy to see and lets you see the strikes almost before you feel it. Good Fishin' !!

[Eyez]

With the exception of high vis lines for some jigging and casting, I use whatever color I have. I don't really worry if my line is clear or green or any of the other colors that mfr's market as low vis colors. It's never made much of a difference to me, although I fish in somewhat less than clear water most of the summer.


Eyez

[Phil T.]

I agree, it's a who cares situation...unless you are comparing green Stren Magnathin to green Berkely Solar. The Solar is certainly visible, but the only spool I ever bought rotted in a month due to sunlight. I don't know if lthe new stuff is better-once bitten, twice shy. Maybe there is a non-sponsered angler who has used it recently, and whose opinion can be trusted.