Why is there a need for a shock leader?
Is it required?
Is braid ok to use or, do you need the fancy spod line?

Depends on if you can feather your spool to slow that spod down, to hit the same spot time and time again you have to clip up the line, If you cant slow the spod down you can say good buy to it

I have never used a shock leader but I chose a smaller spod that I could cast easier.

The rule of thumb when using any type line be it mono or braid and trying to cast from the surf is for every oz. of lead multiply by 10 for the shocker strength. In other words if you are going to use 5oz. you should use a 50# shocker.

The correct shocker length would be 5 wraps of shocker around the reel, plus the line up through the rod and down to the terminal tackle.

This set up will allow all the initial shock of the cast to be absorbed in the heavier line.

This info should be the same for a heavy spod, if your going to use a small spod, look at the Korda ones, I hear they are real good.

I now like yellow spods....Not sure why

Is there a spod in that picture?