I've used 12 lb mono (good quality line; not WallyWorld specials) in the bays for 5 decades. During that time I've had maybe four knots come untied. I've broken two rods, but I've never broken a line.

I haven't put on new line in around 3 years. I use 15 pound big game. I could do with less, but would have to re-rig more often because of nicks. I use baitcasters, and return them to the racks on my boat, then rinse them as I wash my boat. They stay in my boat in the storage shed.

Plastics are on spinning rods w/20 power pro braid, topwater, spoons and assorted hard baits on on baitcasters w/15 Ande backcountry.

The durability of the braid, along with a lot of oysters here make braid the deal on jig heads w/plastics. I still cast mono better on the baitcasters.

25# mono sufix does it for me. If you use braid... 30# power pro will do it.

how soon after your done fishing should you rinse off your reels?

i rinse after every trip

the sooner the better. If you're fishing with a spinning reel, tighten the drag and rinse your reel upside down under a faucet. Don't spray it with any more pressure than straight running water. If you do it will force all the salt and debris into the reel that wouldn't get in there otherwise. After you are done, spray dwon your reel with "reel magic" very generously all over the reel and into your line on the spool. It will help remove any line twist/memory out of your line, and also put a protective coating over your reel. Then your set to go on your next trip.

I use 12 when i'm salt fishing most of the time. sometimes i'll go heavier but I like 12 in most situations

I don't care what anyone says. Spectra is superior to mono...period. Zero stretch, zero memory, lasts 10x's longer, is much thinner(allowing for more line capacity), and has greater abrasion resistance than mono. If you're needing invisibility go with a long (5-10ft) fluorocarbon leader tied onto your mainline via uni-uni connecting or an Albright knot. The long leader will allow you to keep cutting back your leader without re-tying new leaders every time you get a little abrasion on it.
For pound rating, it depends on what you are targeting, but anything inshore can be caught with 20-30lb spectra. Go with suffix. It is readily available and fairly inexpensive compared to the other braided lines. For your leader, go with 20-30lb leader for artificials and up to 50lb leader if you're going to soak bait for big reds. When targeting redfish/drum you do not have to use fluorocarbon leaders, as they are not very lineshy.

Goodluck and let us know how you do!

No argument whatsoever except....braid is a pain to use with a spook type topwater, you can't keep it from snagging a hook during a retrieve....

I can tell you this is both true and false. I snag like that all the time with the power pro and never with the sufix.

I tried the suffix, and it line-snotted way worse than the power pro did, so it had to go...

I guess old dog and tricks, but I can still cast mono better on my casting reels, but...I wouldn't trade the braid on my spinning rods for the sensitivity and durability.

When I used mono I used 12lb P line. I now use suffix braid 30lb in 8lb diameter with a 20lb 100% Flouro Leader.

10 that;s all i use from inshore to big reds but i'm fishing outta boat but i have caught a 44 inch 44 pound red on a medium light rod with 10 it's all about drag control and boy it's fun