I use 30# power pro on my rig and it sounds heavy, but i never loose a bobber, and with a 9'6" rod can damn near cast across the clack at mciver with a 1/2oz inline sinker. As far as braided line being more abrasion resistent, i have yet to see that using power pro, but i use it for the castability and strength. 30# braid diameter is equal to (8# mono). I also use braid on my drift rod, but i also tie about 6 ft of 15lb mono to the braid (uni-uni) splice, because when I drift with braid it gets frayed to sh_ _ on the rocks, and i find the mono is more abrasion resistent. It gets kinda expensive when you have to strip off 8 ft of braided line after drift fishing for a day because it has been thrashed on the rocks. Another thing i do is always run mono, or flourocarbon leaders. for steel head and salmon fishing i use 10 to 12 #. some people use 15 or 20# for chinook, but i think you can get away with 12#. set you drag accordingly and let the fish wear themselves out, dont horse em'. 300 yds of power pro, dont think you will have a prob with the fish taking that much line.