The only time i use braid for topwater is when i'm fishing slop and muck with frogs, other than that i use mono----14-17 pound test. I have also found that if you want to cast HARD at some schooling fish that are just within your casting distance you would want mono. Braid has a tendency to fight you when you want that distance. Mono has always been easier for me to cast hard and far with no threat of a backlash. I use to fish braid when throwing buzzbaits and lost to many fish because there was no stretch. Good luck!