Prefer straight 12lb UG or 15lb UG w/12lb UG leader for coho and winter steelhead. Never liked the braid much.

I always follow the hookset mantra of "when in doubt,... rip their mouth out". Then again I have a lot of stretch to play with considering my set-up.

Never had one break at the knot. Have had hooks bent and lost them off the hook, but that's just the name of the game.