Have to admit that certain braids bother me. Some are just noisier and I seem to have better luck with the quieter braids when reeling in swim jigs. Rods and guides affect how noisey braid can be too. As for bearings, I have updated almost all of my reels to ceramic abec 7's. I will take the extra distance and control any day. I have gotten so used to the ceramic bearings I don't even think about them. In fact, when I am using a reel that don't have them I wonder what is wrong with it. Cant listen to the radio when fishing, every cast and retrieve takes attention and concentration. The radio is for taking a break or eating a lunch.
