Need some input with line choice advantages

[DZ]

I've been asked to write an article about the advantages of using monofilament in surfcasting applications. As many of you know I'm pretty much "old school" when it comes to equipment and techniques used to chase striped bass. I've been a mono guy forever except for a "very" brief pause to try Whiplash braid in 1999 and using Invisi-Braid for the past two months so I could gain more practical experience with braid. I've listed some advantages and disadvantages of both. Feel free to add anything to the list that I might have missed. Thanks in advance for any input.


Super Braids (Advantages)
1. Increased sensitivity, solid hooksets, and superior casting distance when needed.
2. Braids offer another major advantage by having a very thin diameter/to strength ratio that allows for greater depth penetration when jigging deeper water/high flow areas such as canals/breachways. Smaller diameters allow for the use of lighter jig heads that would not be possible when using larger diameter monofilament lines.
3. Can last most of the season without changing.
4. Brute strength.


Super Braids (Disadvantages)
1. High cost
2. Wind knots impossible to untangle
3. Hook-up to land ratio: Dropped fish when allowed to go slack
4. Abrasion resistance is poor
5. No stretch destroys rod blanks
6. Very hard to break when you’re hung up.
7. Braid buries on spool when under extreme pressure sometimes causing line to cut itself.

Monofilament (Advantages)
1. Affordability
2. Shock absorbency – the ability for mono to stretch on high impact strikes offers insurance.
3. Abrasion resistance in boulder fields is a huge advantage for monofilament.
4. Ability to tie direct without leader when a subtle presentation is necessary.
5. More forgiving in overcoming mistakes. For example monofilament will stretch quite a bit if a drag is set too tight. This will allow a caster to back off the tension before the line breaks.
6. Improved hook-up to land ratio. I found that monofilament allows for a better hook-up/land ratio because the stretch in mono always seems to help keep a tight line when a bass is thrashing on the surface.

Monofilament (Disadvantages)
1. Less Sensitivity
2. Casting Distance
3. Stretch/elasticity
4. Hook sets
5. Diameter ratio for stronger lines
6. Brittle/stiff in cold temps
7. Must be changed often.