For Kermit fishing you need to have braid imo. For abrasion resistance, strength, and no stretch on your hook sets. In a tournament I wont chance it, I like being able to winch fish when I have to. If you break them, doesnt a Legend Elite have a lifetime warranty? Bust it, get a new one, if a $300 7' MH rod cant handle braid, it wasnt build right imo.