Braid or not

[keana]

I`ve never used it as i`ve thought it an expensive comodity but i`m thinking of changing from mono to braid on the boat. I gather it is very different from using mono and wondered if anyone can answer some of my questions about using it.

Firstly, i`ve seen it for about £20 for 150 yds, is it worth the expense?
2, what breaking strain should I use for the Bristol channel and what weight of lead could I conceveably use with it? At the moment i`m using just over
1lb of lead on a good tide with 30lb mono.
3, As a trial, would it be best to use it uptiding or downtiding first?
4, Should I still use a shockleader or will that defeat the object and catch the current? if so will mono knots suffice?
5, Should I use mono as backing on the reel?

I`d appreciate it if someone could help me out here.
Cheers all in anticipation

[Greenheart]

I changed the 20lb Mono on my boat fishing outfit for 20lb Berkley Whiplash Pro (300yds for £9 on Ebay) & found I could get away with using much lighter lead weights as tide drag is much reduced. As it is low stretch, it's much more sensitive for bites too. I use about 15ft of 18lb mono shock leader to absorb lunges by big fish & also to act as a rotton bottom in case of snag ups. This prevents you loosing your expensive braid.
With 300yds of line, i've not bothered with any backing & I use a uni knot to join it to mono. It's definately worth the money. Once you use it you'll never go back. I can't answer the questions on up-tiding, as i've never tried it.