Braid vs Mono in different applications

landlubber

I am currently researching a spinning reel for 20-30lb mono but realized there could be a lot of advantage to getting something small like a Stradic 6/8000 and having one spool for 15lb mono and another for 30lb braid. That seems more versatile than a big bulky spinning reel.
Now to the question part. When do you prefer braided vs mono. I used power pro years ago on my Ambassadeur but didn't like it for a couple reasons. When it tangles it is permanent. It's so abrasion resistant and lacking stretch that trying to break the line off on rocks, etc was hardly possible.
Anyone have situations where they prefer one over the other?

Popeye

Mono for dropping/trolling. Braid for casting/flatlining. IMHO.

estero

Braids are less abrasion resistant then mono of equivalent rated strength. Most braids will actually test well over the rated strength.

Pipefitter

I make the leader the weakest link for break offs with braid. Leaves less line in the water and spools stay full longer. I found that I can get birds nests out with braid but I fish more by line diameter than pound rating. If I want a lesser pound rating, I do so again at the leader. 8# diameter equivalent seems about the most trouble free all around on inshore equipment. Per diameter, braid is much more resistant to abrasion than a comparable mono of the same diameter.

Key Lime

If I were going to have a spinner set up for two spools, one mono, one braid, like you're wanting to do, I wouldn't go with the 30# braid. Go with 15, or even 10, as braid "tests heavy". The casting advantage of the 15# vs the 30# is HUGE! I'm guessing that you're casting, since you mentioned 15# mono, and not bottom fishing offshore. I fish mono for line-shy fish like yellowtails down South, and as light a braid as possible for most other apps. I even troll some offshore with braid, but it takes some adaptations like lighter drag settings due to the lack of stretch.

Trust me, you don't need 30# braid to catch 100# tarpon!

troutman57

Using braid requires a bit of a learning curve. I seldom use over 20lb but perfer 10 or 15 lb. Here are a couple things to consider. Since braid has no stretch you want to use a bit more limber longer rod to absorb shock so you wont pull the hooks. A 3000 size spinner spooled with 15lb braid is going to stop most anything except the largest of fish. Do not overspool the line on your reel or you will get knots. Everytime you close the bail take a look to see that there are no loops on the spool before reeling. Close the bail with the lure just about to hit the water and you will get less tangles. Be ready to change everything over to braid as soon as you get used to it since you will not want to fish without the sensetivity of braid. I would suggest starting with 20lb and then reducing to 15 then 10. Use good quailty braid such as power pro spiderwire ultra cast or stealth braid......discount braids are big knotsters!

Germ

I only use mono if im using a conventional and I dont wanna pay $150 to have it spooled in braid. I wouldnt even use mono anymore on a spinning. It really does boil down to what your gonna fish for and what reel you plan on using. Im pretty sure if you went to an 8k Stradic you can honestly get a good amount of 50# braid on a spool. If you were doing a 6k id stick with 30# braid. If you want some stretch suffix has a stretch braid and I think so does fins

landlubber

Troutman57: excellent overview! I have started the learning but like 7 years ago. I had never thought about switching to a more limber rod for absorption.
Here's my fishing style. Almost always land-based whether it be piers, jetties, surf or wading. Once a year or less I might go out on a party boat. Lately, because I'm in Tallahassee, it's wading Gulf coast oyster bars and flats. I need a rod other friends can use themselves instead of me having to cast each time and wind the line back n forth for them. So I'm thinking a spinner large enough to tackle fish in the 20-30lb line class with braid but also be able to cast lures and such with 12-16lb mono.

Yaksquatch

I say go with what you're thinking. An 8000 size reel will hold about 300yds of 15lbs mono on one spool and about 450yds of 30lbs braid on the other spool. I say go for it man! I personally fish braid on all my setups except for trolling for kings I'll add about 25yds of 20-30lbs mono topshot for stretch. Being in a kayak, I prefer to fish smaller rod/reel combos and spooling with braid still allows me pretty significant line capacity.

Good luck,
Alex