We use this for leader: Amazon.com : Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon 200 yards Fishing Line (4-Pounds) : Sports & Outdoors

And yes, to me fluorocarbon makes a difference. We use sliding sinkers rather than fixed because when a crappie shakes his head, we don't want him able to use the fixed sinker as a fulcrum to yank the hook... the head shakes are transmitted to the flexible rod.

This rig works for us, in the lakes we fish, YMMV.

Tom