I've never fished with leaders outside of fly fishing and now I am interested in trying them out on my angling rods. Since I will be using my bait caster for top water frogs, grass, and big cranks I need something that can be tossed into the weeds and heavy cover and can be ripped out no problem and also has no stretch so I can get better action. Should I used mono backing with a braided leader or just go with braid backing and a fluorocarbon leader? 

There's a difference between the main line and the backing. You will need some sort of backing on your reel, as braid has a tendency to slip on the spool if you don't secure it to the spool somehow (some reels have holes that you can secure the braid to). A few turns of 10# - 12# monofilament on the spool first, will accomplish this nicely. Use any knot you choose to make the transition, however I prefer the Alberto for every connection between braid and other types of line.

 

Now, as far as braid being your main line, yes, do use a leader IF you are fishing beneath the surface. Top waters - frogs, poppers, etc. - need line to float somewhat, in order to maintain good contact and action. Straight braid would be fine in this scenario. You can also get away with a monofilament leader (2' - 4' would be sufficient), as mono has a tendency to float.

 

Now if you are going below the surface and dealing with the bottom weeds, rocks and debris, you will need a leader that has some abrasion resistance to it. Straight braid or monofilament doesn't accomplish this very well. You would be better off with a fluorocarbon leader in this case. Regardless of what kind of leader you choose, do yourself a big favor and learn to tie the Alberto knot for the joint between the two types of lines, especially the leader joint.

Good advice, Crestliner.  I will only add that for the Alberto to function correctly the tag end has to go back through the loop in the right direction or it will fail.  I've made that mistake way too often until I realized that it is critical to the success of the knot.   (Learned that here not long ago!)