Well, after 25 years or so of exclusively monofilament, I've gone to braid, specifically Fireline, based on my buddy's recommendation. It took a little getting used to, but I really enjoy the greater sensitivity and the positive hooksets I get with plastics like Senkos, Flukes, etc.

My first question: is braid recommended for crankbaits? If my medium power CB rod has enough "give," would braid be okay as a line or should I stay with monofilament which has more "give" to it?

Second question... visibility underwater: I'm using Fireline in the 30lb (12lb dia.) and the 20lb. (8lb dia.) varieties. Mostly crystal color, some lime green, some smoke. Which has the least underwater appearance for the bass, based on y'all's experience?

To answer question #1, I use braid for everything. Not real sure about question #2. I use Power Pro in moss green. 30# and 50#. In stained water it doesnt matter.

My opinions on the two questions are, 1. no you need the stretch of mono or at least flouro (which does stretch just not as much) for crankbaits to help keep the tension on the fish. and 2. I think if line visibility is a factor you need to use mono or flouro.

I use Fireline on my spinning rod 10 lb smoke, and 65 lb power pro on my frog rod, everything else is mono for me.

I use braid too for cranks. I just use a more limber rod to compensate for the line not giving. I have had better hok ups with braid than mono. I was loosing fish with mono, for me because the mono would stretch too much and I couldn't bury the hooks. Made the change and it worked for me. I use power pro and in the 30, which I think is the 10 lb dia. of mono. As far as clearity I don't know if it has made a difference. I would probably go to mono in real clear water, with spinning gear.

The limber rod will help some, but. #1 Braid it floats, so less depth on your cranks, unless you go to a lot smaller line diameter. #2 Braid has no stretch, means the hook will tear a bigger hole in the fishes mouth during the fight, even with a limber rod, making it easier to throw the bait. #3 if you are fishing lipless cranks and get a backlash, the line will snap because of the no stretch, and there goes that bait. All up to the individual fisherman and his preference tho.

Lots of people have diferent opinions based on experience and articles they read and what works for their buddy etc... Best bet is to try it for a while and you be the judge of what works best for you. I use some techniques that aren't always mainstream that work excellent for me. I too used mono for over twenty years. I really like braid now and I use it reguarly for many applications.

Good Luck fishin steeler

Questions lke this bring about fightin' words!! haha! I dont bass fish so I really couldn't tell you about the hookset- I havent had any problems with hybrids, reds or stipers. One thing I would recommend is a mono or fluoro leader to keep it from tanglin in the lure--the 20lb PP is REAL bad about tanglin in the hook/split rings. Fireline wont give you as much of a problem because it is quite a bit stiffer. The crystal is supposed to be the clearest and since Spiderwire and Stren have followed them with the idea they probably have something there. ROcky was right about the backlash--especially if you have a heavy lure--1 and 1 1/2 rattletraps will snap it on a long cast--that will make you sad realy quick at $10 each Leaders really dont help with that because the length isnt enough to give you enough stretch. Still worth it for me I like braid alot.