Let me start off by saying that I have just purchased my very first baitcaster after spending a long time using spinning gear. I have always used mono line. I moved to baitcasting to get more power, control, and strength out of my gear. So, I purchased a Abu Garcia Revo SX and am determined to learn how to use it. My first thought before the reel arrives is what about line?

As I said, I have always used mono line and never ventured into the use of braided line. This is probably because I have heard horror stories about braided line cutting, digging, and wearing out rod guides and spools. I'm coming to y'all to tell me the truth. Is this just a rumor or should I be concerned by this? My goal is to have the highest strength line on my rod without being too obvious that it scares the bass away.

What would y'all recommend? I mostly fish 4/0 10" Texas rigs and crank baits. Should I give the braided line a try or will I just be shortening the life of my equipment?

Try a good fluorocarbon line in the appropriate lb test for whatever technique and cover you are fishing.

Fish mono. I would not switch unless your not happy with it. I tried a braid and hated it. Went back to big game and never looked back.

I would start out with mono until your a competent caster. I have switched all my rigs to Power Pro and I love it. As with most things, there are some trade-offs. I also purchased a Revo S recently and I like this reel. Very smooth.

He is right, start with mono and learn first, then switch to braid. Braid will not cut your guides and will not damage your reel. I assume you have a decent rod considering you have a 100 dollar reel.?...
The people that usually have problems with braid are the people who put it on wrong. I too had braid problems while first learning but once you get the hang of it, it is much more sensitive than mono, it cast further, and has a thinner diameter LB for LB. There are some applications that I favor mono but for the most part, braid or Power Pro is my line of choice.
Learn with the cheap mono, then switch over to braid.

Start with 12lb to 17lb mono first. When you get up in the 20lb+ range with mono, it can be pretty stiff. Stiff line can be hard to learn to cast with. With that said, I pretty much use Power Pro for everything. You should at least try braid when you get the hang of casting a baitcaster.

Trilene Big Game. 12 to 14 lb. will do you right.

Copolymer (Gama)is a good choice. I also like power pro braid on jig/t-rigged.

Power Pro braid is great. If you decide to go with another brand I DO NOT recommend Spider Wire. Tried it and hated it. Pulled it off my reel and threw the rest in the trash. As everyone has said, use the mono until your comfortable with the baitcaster then switch lines. Once you become familiar with setting up your reel, birdnests will be less of an issue.

Speaking of setting up reels, take a look here:

Baitcasting 101

Best site I have seen for setting up a baitcaster.

Regarding braid-the horror stories you hear have pretty much become a thing of the past. The early braids did have some problems, but technology has worked out most of the bugs. I use 50 lb Powerpro on the rods I have spooled with braid. The reason is I have always used 12 lb mono, and that test braid has the same diameter.

For T-rigs, C-rigs, jigs, pitching and flipping braid is hard to beat IMO.

There is a little bit of a learning curve-you don't have to set the hook as hard, for example, and it is noisy coming through your line guides. While I don't use it for all applications, it is a good tool in the arsenal.

If you like the mono then stick with it but I was going to suggest 15-17 pound test line. I think 12 pound line may be a little light for the bait you are using and the area you are fishing.

I agree. I have heard that Berkley Big Game has a lubricant on it. Don't know if it's true, but it's good line for the price.

Thanks y'all! I got my Revo last weekend and strung up some 15 lb Big Game on it for right now. I'll definitely make the switch to power pro once I'm feeling a little more comfortable with my abilities. I have already gotten pretty good at casting sidearm. We won't mention overhead yet! I've started to get the hang of how to work out a bird's nest fairly quick now!

A little trick for birdnests is to put your thumb down on the spool, press hard, and crank the handle. It causes the loops to lay down and is easier to pick out the backlash.

Actually the baitcasting is definitely not as hard as I had imagined. I've gotten it down to where I only nest it when I do something really stupid like cast it into the side of my brick house and not clamp my thumb down. I'm thinking I need to start backing off on the brake. I have the casting control adjusted to where the reel stops spinning when the lure hits the ground, but I have the brake at probably 80%. I can cast sidearm a good 50 ft or more this way, but overhead I'm struggling to get it to go 30 ft. I'm hoping that loosening the brake up will allow that lure to really fly!