I’ve been using the craziest setup. I don’t recommend anyone try it, because I still can’t believe it works so well. I have trouble tying those knots (Alberto, FG, etc.) in the boat, on the lake, in the wind with light braid. So, one day I just tied a loop knot on my fluorocarbon leader and a loop knot with a half hitch to keep the knot from sliding on my slick braid (Gliss or Smackdown). Then just passed the loop of fluoro through the loop of braid and put the tag end of the fluoro back through the loop of the fluoro and pulled the rest of the fluoro leader all the way through. Couldn’t believe how strong it is. Been using it for three years now. Biggest bass I’ve caught is only a 8.8lber. Hope to get a 10lber with it to really prove the strength of this crazy setup. I haven’t had a single fish break my line in three years. That includes some big-o cats and drum too. I use 20-30lb braid with 12-15lb fluoro when I’m fishing with the big bass baits like chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, etc. Of course it’s not a small knot that passes easily through guides, so I usually have it anywhere from 18” to 3’ long. Since I’m using such a small amount of fluoro line these last few years I often use the more expensive ones, but they all work well. Red Label is still the best for the dollar.
My favorite drop-shot rod has very small diameter guides, so I’ve gone straight fluorocarbon with no braid on that rod. I fill the spinning reel 3/4 full with braid and then tie 30 yards of 8lb fluorocarbon line on to fish with. I change that 30 yards fairly often as you know how twisty and worn out it gets catching bass on the drop-shot.
Also use straight fluorocarbon on my casting reels 10lb, 12lb, 15lb Red Label or Invisx except for topwater baits I use a floating braid or mono line.