oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

If Your gear (rod & reel) is older it may have been designed for mono. If so, you shouldn’t use braid - it will grove your bail & rod guides - leading to the problem you are having

Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

To check the ceramic insert on a guide, use a Q-tip to see if any cracks catch on fine fibers of the Q-tip. I doubt if it is the guides if line is frayed near end of line unless you are reeling the lure up to the tiptop. I doubt if sand paper would work on a ceramic guide unless it is a terribly poor guide. Good ceramic guides will withstand a lot of rubbing of the lines on them. grit inbedded in the woven super braid will cause a a little wear but the better ceramics will not wear. However they will not stand abuse by banging them against a hard surface, because they will crack. Best let a rod builder replace it (if it is a bad guide) for $10-15.

Nymphish Loc: Bend Oregon

I've not used braided line before.

Is there someone out there who could give me a brief intro to where it would be useful over regular monofilament line??

oldsalt Loc: Holland Pa

Braid is smaller diameter & lighter weight which enables longer casting. It also is more resistant to being bitten off - that’s an issue when ocean fishing for blues