I also was of the opinion that the effectiveness of the copper in addition to being out and away from the boat, is that the copper will "swim" or move up and down from being pulled by a board or boat, and side to side in current as an example, and adding misdirection to the lure, thus giving it better action? By adding weight at the leader, i think you would kill that action? why not snap the weight at the backing knot, you will still get the added benefit of the additional weight for depth, but the action of the copper remains.. just a thought.