I use 50# tuff xp because when I was using 30# fireline I was constantly losing gear (musta been my knots!). They sell those wire rigs now at tackles shops with a connection for leader, weight and mainline. They are the absolute BOMB as I've lost less weights/gear since trying it out. After pulling in many many bb rigs that were snagged it was easy to see that most lines were snapped just an inch or two above the weight, making the wire or heavier abrasion resistant line a better choice to connect close to your weight. Now tossing more junk like wire to be lost in the fraser, dunno how that weighs on people's minds. But last time I pulled up a bar rig with 120lb wire and a 20oz weight I made 4 of those wire leader/weight connector things. I usually pull in 4-5 weights for every 1 I lose.
When snagged (its easy to tell, with braided line a snag WILL NOT move) I wrap a towel around my hand, wrap the line around and walk back slowly. Yanking fast and hard will usually break your line, even at 50#. And reefing on your rod to get rid of a snag usually makes the line not only damage the gears in a high gear ratio reel, but it digs the line into the spool thus causing birds nests next cast.
I also find that with mono, it is almost a must to use the high sticking technique to feel the bounce, and is difficult to distinguish between a fish and a snag/rock.
With braid I point my rod at my line after reeling in slack to 12oclock, so the line barely touches my guides. This allows you to "feel" the rocks. (and eventually help distinguish what a fish is)
So anglers, high or low stick bouncing?