I use braid to a leader on over 1/2 my set-ups, and feel they give me a definite advantage. I think I outfish a lot of guys I fish with, because I feel more bites than they do. I just recently went to 8lb Power Pro high vis yellow with a 8' long 6lb mono leader on my 5-1/2' dock shooting rod for crappie and LOVE it as well. In this cold water a lot of bites are just the fish mouthing it, there is no line jump, slack, thump, tic...and absolute ZERO MEMORY is a huge help.
My #1 bass set-up is a 3000 series spinning reel, 7' M Heavy rod spooled with 20lb Daiwa J Braid with a 5' 15lb P line leader with a shaky head tied on. I have landed a LOT of big fish on that set-up the last couple years. For braid to leader connections I use a Modified Albright Knot, far superior to FG, Double Uni etc. I never "hear" my knot going through the guides.
I do use 50lb braid on a 4000 series spinning reel for A-Rigs, because I want them back...I get them hung 2 out of 10 casts. I use a Palomar Knot.
Flippin rod is 40lb braid to 22lb fluoro. For fluoro or mono direct to hooks / lures I use a trilene knot.
Jerkbait rod is 12lb Tatsu fluoro. If you have not tried this line, I think it is one of the biggest breakthroughs in line in some time. It is way under rated for strength, amazing stuff.