Braided fishing line to fluoro leader...???

[Chue Chang]

To SAVE as MUCH MONEY as I can on fishing line...

I use MONO BACKING (half spool) to BRAIDED LINE (to the brim) to FLUORO/MONO LEADER (6-10') for pretty much ALL my reels/techniques. EXCEPT...when fishing a FROG in heavy cover...than I will go to STRAIGHT BRAID. But 98% of the time...I am using the above system and therefore you can say I am fishing Braid 100% of the time when it comes to hooking a fish from bite/catch to release.

I feel the advantages FAR OUTWEIGH the disadvantages to this system and therefore praise it as being something USEFUL, EFFICIENT and RESOURCEFUL. I wanted to know if ANYONE else out there uses this system and has the same praise/liking for this system like I do.

BUT...there are disadvantages and I also see some problems. So...I need some opinions and views as to why I should fish my lines a different way or maybe its time for a change.

Advantages:
1. Better hooksets with the braid on ALL techniques.
2. Braid LASTS a whole lot longer than mono/fluoro and therefore you are only buying/replacing your leader lines and thats it. I have heard of some guys using braid for 1 whole season/year with no problems going on another year.
3. Farther/smoother casts.
4. Better sensitivity for bottom contact techniques (jig, texas/carolina, dropshot/shakey)
5. Easier to prevent backlashes and fix them (at least in my observation)
6. You can tie any # fluoro/mono line to the braid and therefore do not have to buy/carry extra reels or reel spools of different # lines to fish baits correctly. All you have to do is change out your leader if you want a different # line and not a whole reel or reel spool.

DIsadvantages:
1. Wind knots in braid
2. No stretch in braid (have to play fish accordingly, use a softer rod and use softer hook sets)
3. Braid is sometimes seen as (cheating) and does not sit too well with some anglers (don't know why). I see so many good things about braid and have always wondered why some anglers perceive braid like its the "DEVIL" or something (like my friend...he despises using it, everytime we go out fishing and he sees braid on my reel...he gives me a weird eye/look of disgust, like I just disrespected/insulted him or something, braid reputation is so BAD with some people...****).
4. Can burn/cut your fingers (imo, any line will) and is tough on your reels/rods/tackle.

Braid is expensive at first...BUT if you take care of it...will pay for it self in the long run because it LASTS SO LONG (this one is neither an advantage or disadvantage and is therefore subjective)

The only problems I have run into are:
1. Extra knot between you and the fish (if tied correctly, should NEVER or will NEVER be a PROBLEM...at least for me). I use a alberto knot for braid to leader connections with a 3 turn UNI and 4 half hitches in the braid tag as a BUFFER...200% strength and confidence in this knot. Has NEVER FAILED me in 3 years of bass fishing. (could be subjective)
2. When flipping or pitching...the knot will sometimes catch and be a nuisance when entering the tip guide on retrieval.
3. Can not use micro guide rods as sometimes the knot will be TOO BIG.

Tying knots for leaders is sometimes a hassle/time consuming/nuisance (again...I believe this to be subjective also as I have no problems with my knot tying skills and can tie "MY" knots with my eyes closed).

SO...In conclusion...does anyone agree with me and/or also use this system and find it to be effective and resourceful in their bass fishing? Is there any angler out there that believes braid is CHEATING and despises using it and/or is disgusted with it?

Any and all comments, suggestions and tips are appreciated and welcomed.

Thanks.