Carp line

Are carp line shy? I watched videos on hair rigs and method leads. Seems like you might be able to get some carp with simpler tackle? Maybe just a hook with corn?

I use both braid and mono for my main lines. I fish hair rigs that are braid. Carp seem to feed primarily by scent as they cruise along the bottom. Line has not seemed to make a big difference to me. That may be because the hook link on my hair rigs may blend into the bottom. I use the green colored braid.

I like to use braid because of the suppleness/line memory of the material when using hair rigs (I'm referring to leader material specifically, main line I don't think really matters and is more of a matter of personal choice IMO). I haven't really come across a situation where I felt the carp were line shy, but then again, like Curt, I use braided lines that usually blend with the bottom such as mossy green or brown. I probably wouldn't use those high-vis types like red, blue, etc. You can find carp leader-specific braids that are coated from online carp fishing stores but to be honest I do just fine using the 30 lb PowerPro from my main line.

You are right in that simple methods can absolutely catch carp; sometimes they are even preferable when surface fishing w/ bread or using mulberries. But I can't deny that my carp fishing greatly improved switching from simple sliding sinker rigs to method leads with pack bait and corn or fake corn on a hair.

I use high vis braided lines in red, yellow, and green with a 12ft fluorocarbon leader. Oftentimes if I break off I'll skip retying the leader and just fish the straight braid, I haven't seen much difference when I do this.The others are right that carp primarily feed by scent, as they age they rely less and less on eyesight to feed. However, in bodies of water with lots of fishing pressure they will start to figure out what to avoid, that's when camouflage comes into play.

I use 15lbs Main line

I re-lined all 3 of my carp rods last night with 40 lb braid. If you are in a spot that requires you to cast long distance, you might try mono but I have no problem fishing heavy braid and really lobbing it 60-70 yards out. I know guys who catch large carp on 10 lb mono. There is no problem with that if you have the patience. When targeting buffalo, braid has great sensitivity that might be visible but not detectable by a bite alarm or drop back bite as well.

Using these methods, for the most part, they aren't line shy. That being said, if you talk with anglers who pursue carp on the fly, or those who surface fish or sub-surface fish, line visibility does factor in.