Bingo! 30lb braid has less diameter than like Mono or Floro. It allows a bait to behave differently. 90% of the time I'm using a floro leader on my braid. I have switched to smaller leaders to improve the action of 'lighter' baits. A shakey head for example will perform much better with a 10lb leader than a 20lb one.

Lot's of variables come into play with line size, it's just not for 'strength'.

My normal setup is 30lb braid with 20lb floro leaders. I know lot's of people like the 65lb and larger braids, but for me 30lb is plenty. It's not like we are catching 100lb tarpon. 30lb braid has less diameter than 65lb braid and it has less diameter than 20lb mono by far.

http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/top-5-reasons-use-braid-fluorocarbon-setup

If those that make their living use it why shouldnt we.

Very very few lakes where I feel like you spook fish with braid, Amistad I fish with straight braid and its gin clear, amistad man advocates it.

Joe fish has a video on youtube that is AWESOME if your intersted in the leader, I have done it with a shakey head and worked great.

Joe has spoken, listen lol

Braid w/flouro lead is a must on dropshot. Without it the line twist impossible!

Thanks, LOL

30# Braid with a 20# Fluoro leader is a good setup for many situations, but as mentioned by James Henderson, if you are fishing heavy cover and targeting big fish then don't test fate by adding a leader. If you are fishing for a reaction bite then straight braid is no issue, where as if you are dragging a bait, using a leader would be a more realistic presentation and will add to your bite ratio.

Using braid effectively is first understanding its limitations as well as its obvious strengths. 30-40# braid is plenty for most applications. I only use the heavier 65 & 80# when throwing a C rig with a 1oz or more weight or when throwing the A rig. always backfill your spool with Fluoro or mono. Braid will slip if you don't!

I like to use HiVis Yellow Power Pro with a Fluro leader. Seeing line movement is a faster indicator than feeling the bite on a semi tight line. If I am running straight braid, I will take a black or brown Sharpie to the first 4-5ft.

Many folks get sideways about the color of there braid fading as it gets older. I don't think this is an issue and actually prefer an older braid over a flesh line because I know it will be more limp and manageable. When using new braided line, it will have a waxie protective coating. Make sure you take your thumb nail to it before tying knots. This will help insure it doesn't slip. I like using the improved Albright knot over the uni knot for my leader. It is a very small knot and smooth as it passes through the guides and very strong. If tied correctly, it is actually stronger than the Uni!

A Palomar knot at the hook has been known to slip, so I toe a granny knot on top of the P knot for added security. Again, if the line is new, take your thumb nail to it!

Without hijacking the thread, let me add when to use braid AS THE leader. On my spinning reel, I use Berkley Nanofil. Same as I mention about understanding the limitations of braid. Nanofil is fairly new to the market and for those that have tried it don't like it because it breaks easily. Nano is known to break at the knot and twist severely in the first 20ft. It's fibers also fray due to this twisting and snapping during cast. I have found by adding a 10yard leader of braid, this fixes all these issues. This line truly flies thought the air when minimal effort when casting and is great for long distances even against the wind, but if the line breaks this means nothing. Adding the strength of the braid to the front end works well and the transition knot is so small, you can barely feel it on the retrieve through the guides. This is a combination in lines that is truly awesome!

There is no one line better than another. There is adaptation to the situation and the way you wish to approach it. So don't put braid on every reel for strength or Fluro for its characteristics. Even Mono has its place in the top water arena. Some even use braid and mono for there C rig depending on the bottom composition and bait used, "me".

Great information guys, but I have one more subject to touch on braided line. I've read and heard that braid slices through your rod's guides causing them to wear faster, especially the tip. What are you guys experiences with this matter? Does this simply happen because of the poor quality of the rod?

This plus for me it is easier to work a bait through some timber, braid like to dig in or it easily gets wrapped around a limb, I like a 4 foot leader.

I have fished braid for years in brush piles and timber. Braid is the absolutely the best line to use in heavy wood or grass cover even in gin clear water. Braid digging into wood is nonesense that gets repeated on here over and over until people start believing it. Also if you get hung up with braid you will get your bait back. (You may have to straighten the hook back),. If you are flipping into heavy brush or fishing a brush pile in a lake that you may catch a 8+ lb bass, you better be using braid or you will get you're heart broke.