Finegrain, you are not ignorant at all about many of the superior properties of the superbraid Spectra type lines for mainline use. I have been reading this thread with amazement that more haven't been using it. It's small diameter to strength ratio and lack of stretch make it great for backbouncing, driftfishing, and boondoggin'. Particularly, it's non-stretch makes it much easier to tap and pick up lead when backbouncing bait. And to tap the full potential of today's very sensative rods you really need this line. You can feel everything with it and stick an instant hookset with it. It is much more durable and is not affected by longterm light or water exposure. And it is stronger! 30 lb. superbraid will consistently break 30 lb. Chameleon or XT mono. The 30 lb. test has about the diameter of 8 lb. mono, so it makes a great plugging line because it will allow the plugs to dive deeper.If you use a rodholder at a 35 deg. angle and have the drag set moderately, the lack of stretch is not a negative when fish hit the plugs. In fact it hooks them quicker and deeper. It's excellant for floatfishing because it wll float on the surface making it easier to see and mend the line. And the quicker hooksets again. It does have some downside. I use it only on my baitcasting reels so far (I use a spinning reel with 6 or 8 lb. Max UG for summer steelhead and low water jigging) and it takes a little getting used to for casting but it's just fine for that. However, with baitcasting reels it can occassionally bury itself in the spool a little when pulling out of snags, and then become a little more backlash prone temporarily. You have to learn to tie a double palomar knot for the thinner and more slick versions, but a single palomar is fine for thicker and coarser versions. Easy to learn. If you slack the line quite a bit it has a tendancy to snake around the rodtip sometimes, and it is slightly more prone to twisting. But this stuff is a real performance enhancing line due to it's superior properties, and that's what it's all about! - As for leaders, I have always liked Maxima and gone back to it after trying others. I use the UG for clearer water and the slightly tougher Chameleon for colored water. However, I profess to not experimenting enough with the very latest monos for leader use, so I need to listen to other guys and also do pull tests and river testing on the new stuff when I get enough time - until then I'll rough it with the Max. - RT



[This message has been edited by Reel Truth (edited 09-28-2000).]