I use around a 10ft length, it just stops the fine braid at the top of your rig rubbing off the ledges if your fishing over rough ground, and off the wreck itself if your wreck fishing. I have had 60lb braid part on me with little pressure from a fish and when i got the loose end in, i looked and the baid was battered for about 3ft and just simple parted at the worse part.
It is because it is so fine it take very little abrasion to weaken it. A good non slip knot is needed to maintain the strength of the braid/mono on the spool.
I also think the mono length helps too by giving a little bit stretch when a fish dives it just acts like a bundgy so you dont pull the hook out.
Everyone has their own methods and reasons for it. But i love braid, but it needs to be used responsibly... i was walking off the pier a couple of weeks ago and stopped by a oldish couple asking to lend a knife.... bit odd i thought... but their dog had walked through an easy 150yard length of balled up braid (anyone who has ever used it know how tight and difficult it knots) so i spent 15-25mins untangling and cutting this braid off (also without super sharp scissors it is difficult to cut without tension in it) I just had to appologise and explain the type of line and idots who have started using it obviously have no clue it does not degrade and weaken as fast as mono and so has to be treated carefully in regards to disgarding it... the usual methods of cutting in 4" lengths or burning is good enough... but how many times have you seen big nestballs of mono?
this post has prolonged into a rant... sorry, but thought it should be shared
