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One of the big reason to use braid in LJ is so you can cut yt n wsb out of the kelp. A top shot prevents this kelp cutting benefit. I run 65lb braid to a 3-5' leader of 30 lb fluoro. Some have found a short leader to braid doesn't provide any shock absorption to cushion head shakes or quick runs that can cause break offs or pulled hooks. I haven't found this to be an issue. Use a heavy old all glass cal star that is softer than a graphite rod.
Braid can be a pita to break off if you get hung up on the bottom but its lack of stretch provides much greater sensitivity when bottom fishing. Imo particularly for light biters like halibut. It's finer diameter also lets you used less weight to fish comparable depths than with mono.
Many people do not like to cast braid and will use a 50-100 yard top shot of mono on jig sticks. It took some practice but I now prefer casting braid and use the same 3-5' leaders on my surface iron rods.
Well those are my reasons to not use top shots. A good time to use a top shot is definitely when on a sports boats. Tangles are going to happen and braid tangles can be a nightmare. Cutting out of tangles and losing 20-40 bucks worth of braid sucks. Mike
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