re: Braided line for specks and reds

i see the lurkers like braided line too

Nothing but Power Pro on my spinning rigs for last 5 years; negligible line memory and zero stretch makes it an awesome addition for chasing trout and redfish on our coast, especially around structure. Recently spooled my new Chronarch and a couple of spinning rigs with the Sufix 832 braid to give it a shot. So far so good with it as well. Another plus is that it lasts so much longer than standard mono, season after season maintains its strength though inevitably fades in color. This isn't a big deal with carolina or popping cork rigs but if you're tying straight to a lure of some kind go with a fluoro leader via uni to uni knot. Have heard some good things about the new Nanofil but no experience with it yet

What's the purpose of using mono leaders with braid and when should they be used?

I personally don't like fishing with braid for specks......you put too much pressure on them, at least I do causing more pull offs.

I like braid for spoons and spinner fishing redfish.

For those of you that use mono or fluoro leaders with your braid, do you think it's really necessary?

When chasing reds I tie my jig or spoon directly to braid...I never seem to have any issues. If I spook a redfish, it's always me, not my line. If I hit them in the face while sight casting, I don't think they really care about line visibility. Redfish are pretty dumb and will hit just about anything. Just seems like your adding knots and connections where you don't need to.

I do like to use a leader when trowing topwaters or other hard baits. That helps keep the line from tangling in treble hooks while casting.

30# PP only on all my reels.

do yall break a lot of rods with that braided line

If you're averse to tying on a leader via knots, you can use a black/brown Sharpie to darken the faded braid line when fishing very clear water. This helps, but not as good as fluoro or even a plain mono leader. Louisiana doesn't quite have the "gin clear" water fishing issues that Florida guys deal with. Usually when you go to braid from mono, you just need to chill out on the Bill Dance hooksets and maybe even loosen a bit on the drag. Once the fish is hooked, especially a red, tighten your drag and horse that mofo in because he ain't breakin' dat stuff!

20 lb braid is pretty tough. Wrap it around the boat cleat and put it in reverse.