Everybody uses a leader with the braid at the canal. If you don't you'll break off in two seconds because the braid has zero stretch so no shock absorbsion. I need at least 3 feet for the smallets amount of stretch and prefer about 6 feet or more for the leader. I use 50 LB Ande pink or 60 LB Ande green. Even with the leader the running line can wear in many places above the leader especially with a fish on.
Good point about how strengthening one item means the next weak link will appear. That is specifically why I don't use a Polamar to tie the jigs on . Instead I use a uni knot (or whatever its called) If something is going to fail , I want it to happen at the jig , not to lose the whole leader which would a big PITA and especially not to break way up in the running line which is almost $20 to fill the reel. .
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