I've fished braid on my drift rods for 4 or 5 or 6 years or maybe just a long time now...hard to go back to mono after getting the feel for it, you'll lose (snap off) a few on wild swing hooksets when you start off, the bite will jolt you a bit...I like to equate it to the fish chewing on your finger.
I fish 30lb pp and see no reason to change, 10 lb braid will be waaaaay too light, 30 is as light as you will want to go, leaders need to be 10lb or better, 8 will just cost you fish. I've never used it on a side drifting rod like yours, though I have discussed it with lowedown and I suspect we will give it a shot one of these days, if you are stuck on the bank with that rod....I would recommend a new rod, a bit heavier....8 to 12lb.