Welcome back to our "Hooked on Lines" series! In our first article, we explored the importance of selecting the right fishing line for different scenarios. Now, in this second instalment, we’re diving into the fascinating world of colour and line properties—how they affect performance, visibility, and ultimately, your success on the water.
Understanding Line Colour: More Than Just Aesthetic
Fishing lines come in a vast range of colours, each with specific applications and advantages. Whether you're fishing in a competition setting or a casual day at the dam, the right colour choice can significantly impact your performance. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key colours and their uses.
Neon Lime: The High-Visibility Powerhouse
One of the most trusted lines among competitive anglers is the Double X Extreme Abrasion Neon Lime (10lb). This high-visibility line has been a game-changer due to its ability to be seen from a distance. It’s not completely tinted, allowing for minimal transparency, but its standout properties make it ideal for precise line management.
Why choose Neon Lime?
- Excellent visibility: When fishing in a dam or during a competition, the ability to see your line from a distance helps immensely in tracking movement and managing multiple rods.
- Enhanced control: Whether you’re reeling in or casting out, knowing exactly where your line is positioned can be the difference between success and a missed opportunity.
- Ideal for tempo fishing: In fast-paced situations where there’s no time to attach a policeman (bite indicator), this line ensures you remain in full control of your setup.
For a main line, this is an excellent choice, offering both durability and ease of use.
Ultra Camo: The Ultimate Leader Line
When it comes to leader lines, Extreme Abrasion Chameleon Ultra Camo stands out. This line blends seamlessly with its surroundings by absorbing the natural colours of the water, making it virtually invisible to fish.
Key benefits:
- Superior camouflage: Fish are less likely to detect this line, increasing your chances of a successful catch.
- Extreme durability: This abrasion-resistant line ensures longevity and strength, even in rough conditions.
- Reliable under pressure: Many anglers swear by its performance, with no reports of failure even in demanding fishing conditions.
Using this as a leader line in combination with Neon Lime as a main line creates an optimal setup that balances visibility and stealth.
Clear Line: The Stealthy Hook Link Choice
For those looking for the least intrusive option, a clear fishing line is a must-have for hook links. Unlike the neon-coloured options, this line remains virtually undetectable underwater, making it a preferred choice for many anglers.
Why use a clear line for hook links?
- Minimises visibility: Some anglers believe fish can see bright lines and may avoid the bait. A clear line offers peace of mind that your presentation appears as natural as possible.
- Potentially improves casting distance: While unproven, some believe that lines without colour pigments are more supple, allowing for longer casts.
- Versatility: Whether you're fishing in clear waters or targeting finicky fish, this line ensures a more natural approach.
An added advantage of both the Neon Lime and clear lines is that they can be marked with a permanent marker. This is useful for anglers who fish in dams where clipping onto the reel is not an option. By marking the line with different colours, you can maintain consistent casting distances without compromising performance.
Yellow Line: The Short Rod Identifier
Another popular choice is yellow fishing line, which serves multiple purposes, especially for short rods. This line provides the same high-visibility advantages as Neon Lime but is often used strategically to differentiate between rod setups.
How anglers use yellow line effectively:
- Rod identification: By spooling one reel with yellow and another with Neon Lime, anglers can instantly distinguish their long and short rods. For example, one setup might be clipped at 45 meters and another at 65 meters.
- Easy to mark: Just like the other high-vis lines, yellow line can also be marked for precise distance control.
The Ideal Combination for Success
Every angler has a preferred setup, but a tried-and-tested combination is:
- Neon Lime Extreme Abrasion as the main line
- Ultra Camo as the leader line
- Clear line for hook links
- Yellow line for short rods or alternative identification
This combination provides the perfect balance of visibility, strength, and stealth, giving you an edge in any fishing scenario.
Choosing the right fishing line isn’t just about strength and durability, it’s also about how colour affects your ability to manage your setup and maximise your success. High-visibility lines like Neon Lime and Yellow make line management a breeze, while Ultra Camo and Clear lines offer the necessary stealth to outsmart fish.
Impala Angling Club has been at the forefront of angling since the 1960s. The club and its members are family-oriented and passionate about growing the sport, particularly among the community’s youth. Impala Angling Club consists of various previous and current provincial and national anglers within the club. It’s the gateway to representing a province or a country.