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Gettin' Jiggy With It
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Buster .... while I don't "get jiggy with it", the same way you do .... I do use 4lb mono & 10/2 PowerPro braid in hi-vis, when casting jigs for Crappie. I use no leader material, tying directly to the bait with either line. But, understand too that I don't fish "gin clear" waters. But, the waters I do fish may sometimes have a couple of feet of visibility (thru polarized sunglasses) ... yet I still catch Crappie from there. They're just usually at least a couple of feet deeper than one can see down into the water. I have experienced having Crappie come up into the clear, following my bait (& sometimes taking it) ... and even had them chase down a Roadrunner that was less than 1ft deep & right beside/under the boat, even though I was using hi-vis PP braid.
With all of the "stuff" that's down there (broken lines, moss strands, etc) ... I don't think the fish give the hi-vis line much thought (as if they could "think" in those terms Doh ). IMHO ... when fish are spooked, it's more likely the result of various other conditions/situations than it is line color. I'm also of the opinion that what you have on the end of your line, is more important than the color of the line.
I'm also of the opinion that hi-vis line is instrumental in allowing me to see the slight line movements that indicate a strike, under most lighting conditions ... whereas, with clear/blue lines, I'm not always able to, which can result in missed opportunities. This is especially important to those of us that cast, or shoot docks ... and those with less than acute vision.
Braids do come with some different approaches that one needs to consider. You'll probably want to back off your drag a bit, or use a softer action rod, if you can't train yourself to ease up on your hookset. The lessened stretch of braid translates to a harder, more powerful hookset ... which can rip right thru the lips of a fish that's just mouthing the bait. A little drag slip lessens that possibility, but is still strong enough to cause the hook to penetrate the roof of the fish's mouth ... should they take the bait all the way in.
You'll also want to purchase a pair of Fiskar for Child Size Scissors (usually only a couple of dollars) .... for cutting your braid, as it gives a good clean/blunt cut on the tag end, which makes it much easier to put thru the small line eye of your small jigs.
You'll also want to have a wood dowel, towel, or something to wrap the braid around ... other than your fingers, hand, or rod handle ... when the situation calls for pulling on the line, to free a snagged lure. Braid can & will cut you, as well as foam or cork handles. (trust me, I know Doh )
... cp
