Sounds like the right idea Kidney Slapper. Im currently running 8lb braid to a 4lb leader and it is working reasonably well. Although I know of others that run a 2lb leader.
I agree with Mickyj about the Bream seeing you. In my very limited experience, once that happens its "all she wrote" for that Bream. Im lucky if the Bream provide a safety escort for my SP / HB from that point on.