I'm asking those who have used braided line and mono line if it was a bad idea to switch. Is mono harder to deal with birdsnests? Did I take a step backwards here regarding casting distance and strength? Stuff like that.
RobertO

i think its personal preference. i know braided line has gotten a bad rap because of all the 80lb test line that ended up in the river systems,  after being snagged up. these lines in turn 'snowballed' to create  deadlier form of snags (that will break monofilament every time).

myself, i like braided because of the small diameter and low memory retention.....what sucks is the punishment that my abu reel takes because of the lack of stretch.

You've been fishing a whole summer now.  What are you doing still getting bird nests  You did the right thing goin' to mono.  Clear water salmon will freak at the sight of braided.

I have a problem with that statement.   If they freak at the sight of braided, how do you manage to put any weight on your line - It's MUCH larger and bulkier than the line?  Swivel?

The important part to the salmon is the part BELOW the weight, down to the hook... change up the weight of THAT, based on water clarity and targeted species IMHO, and the mainline shouldn't be a factor.

This is my experience with mono and spectra braid.
With Spectra Braid Power Pro:
1. Plus - I do not have to worry so much about my line getting nicks when it tangle with that of others.
2. Plus -My line does not break as easily when it gets tangled up with that of others (specially when I have a fish on.)
3. Plus - More sensitivity and better at setting the hooks.
4. Minus - It is very hard on the reel.  Worm gear mechanism seems to last me only 2 seasons.
5. Minus - Catches the wind causing bow on the line when it is windy.
6. Minus - Others fear my line thinking that it is the abrasive Fireline and give me dirty looks.
7. Plus - It last longer and more cost effective in the long run.
8. Minus - Cannot be used as a leader.
9. Plus - Make for a great backing on my fly reel.

With Mono:
1. Minus - Memory seems to cause me more birdsnest.
2. Minus - Cannot hold up to gong show fishing situation.  I lost alot of fish when my lines gets tangled up with  that of others.
3. Minus - Always have to be checking the line for nicks and kinks.
4. Plus - Easier on the reel.
5. Plus - It is cheaper in the short term.
6. Plus - Does not catches the wind as much as braid, less bow in the line when windy.
7. Plus - A necessity as leader.
8. Minus - Cannot be used as a backing on fly reels.  I did not actually try this.

Based on durability I will always use Spectra Braid Power Pro as my mainline.

Birdnester, to help with birnesting go practice your casting on the field, not on the river, where the time is so precious. To get rid of birdnests during the cast your thumb should have it's own brain  . I mean it should be automatically on the spool when the line starts flying off, but not so hard that it will interfere with the line flow. You will reach the top professionalism if you can cast with no breaks on the spool (free-spooling) and control the spool so no birdnest can occur. Hint: do not swing your rod too much

Normfish is exactly right!

I traded my braided for fireline midseason...
I will never go back to braided.

CJ

Going to be hard to select a multi purpose rod and line for many kinds of fishing.But if its what your stuck with it should be ok.Personally Ive tried braded on some good advice this year and Im going to stick with it for heavy bar fishing.For coho chum pink dolly steelhead ect Ive got 12lb mono on my level and spinning reels.Keeping in mind where I fish the water is smaller and less chance of a big white spring to spool me  or break off, though Ive heared many say they can controll 'em easy in the Ved Ive lost all mine.Good luck on the Vedder this year.