I've been experimenting with braid on surf rods since 2008 or so, and still can't decide the right answer. Initially I was all in on braid, and used nothing else. That changed in the last couple of years.
Some of my big reels (Saltist/Slosh 20s/30s) are loaded with straight 50 pound braid. Some have 30 pound braid backing, topped with enough 17lb mono that I can't cast it all off (so ~120 yards, I'm a poor caster). My lighter reels the whiting/pompano stuff, are mostly spinners loaded with 10-12lb mono or 15-20lb braid.
When it's really nasty out -- lots of wind and current -- I mostly fish mono. Otherwise, I like the sensitivity and castability of braid.
Backlashes suck regardless of line type, but I honestly think I'm more successful recovering from those with braid -- as long as it doesn't zing-pow mid-cast.
Some of my big reels (Saltist/Slosh 20s/30s) are loaded with straight 50 pound braid. Some have 30 pound braid backing, topped with enough 17lb mono that I can't cast it all off (so ~120 yards, I'm a poor caster). My lighter reels the whiting/pompano stuff, are mostly spinners loaded with 10-12lb mono or 15-20lb braid.
When it's really nasty out -- lots of wind and current -- I mostly fish mono. Otherwise, I like the sensitivity and castability of braid.
Backlashes suck regardless of line type, but I honestly think I'm more successful recovering from those with braid -- as long as it doesn't zing-pow mid-cast.