How, when, where, why, on what rig set up do you guys use braided line? And what #lbs do you guys recommend? I currently have my jig rod spoiled up with 50# Power Pro. Also have seem where you put a monofilament base layer down on spool first...can you guys explain this process to me as to why? I can see taking shock out... but whats the advantage of doing so? I have used mono for over 25 years and just recently bought my first spool of braid. Thanks in advance for any and all answers given.

Braid or synthetics won't grip the spool so the mono load prevents it from slipping, or so I have found.

Mono is cheap. Some guys partially fill the spool with mono just to use as a backing. This takes up space on the reel so it doesn't take 300 yards of more expensive braid to fill your spool.
I love braid but I have stopped using it. If your fishing a lake such as Fork I have found that I can snap 20 lb floro out of a hang up about 7 out of 10 times. With braid unless you get lucky your going to have to physically move the boat to get unhung. (braid does not have enough stretch to snap)
Finally, Saturday I was fishing with Tammi and I set the hook on a big girl... The 35lb braid I was throwing snapped and sheared 5 micro guides off the 7' Duckett Rod I was fishing with.
I love braid for the feel and sensitivity... but for me floro is a better all around choice.

I put cheap mono as a backing to prevent the line from burying itself and to prevent slippage (although its rare that it slips).

Ive read that there's lots of reasons why you should (and should not) use braid:

PROs:
- High sensitivity
- Low to No Stretch
- Extremely tough for heavy cover (thick vegetation and sunken timber).
- Small line diameter

CONs (Some of which is still being debated):
- Braid buries can itself in on hooksets and snags (hence you should use Mono as backing)
- Braid flattens out, causing backlashes.
- Some knots wont work well with braid, causing it to slip out (some use superglue on their knot)
- Braid is very visible (which many say fish will see it and will avoid your lure - But its still under lots of debate).


I only use Flouro and Braid now.

When I use braid, I use Spiderwire Stealth (when Im fishing topwater) and Spiderwire Flourobraid (when not fishing topwater).
Power Pro is good as well, but I find it to be too stiff.

My experience with Power Pro braid is I used it for several years with no problem, but stopped using it because I break it off on the hook set 85% of the time. Don't know if somthiong changed or if it was me.

Sounds like your knot was slipping. Put a drop of super glue on the knot and leave a longer (3/8 or longer") tag end

Only broke it off on my worm not a jig or frog. I tried glue but did not help tried tungsten slip sinkers with and without inserts, still no help I only use braid on a frog now. Suffix

What other rods do you rig braid with besides a jig?? Speaking of flouro I have tried some Berkley Vanish and it seemed like I was spending more time cleaning out birdsnest than fishing. I put suffix mono back on and no problems at all. Always seem to have problems when trying out new stuff. Bad choice of Flouro??

I would fluoro exclusively if they had some I could see. Lots of times I use hi vis Power Pro with a fluoro leader.

I use it for deep jigs and carolina rig. #30 for both. I also use it on my spinning reel since it has no memory..#15.

I always have braid on now, it has no line memory and it lasts forever. I tie on a leader of mono or flouro and I'm good. Just a tip, loosen your drag since braid has no stretch a looser drag will reduce digging.

I use Braid alot! 20&30lb PowerPro and Sufix! Fantastic Hooksets with this extremely strong line! It will dig into any kind of bush, tree, shrub, or stick in the lake so use caution! Braid is super strong so match your rod and reel2handle it! GoodLuck!