I don't know how everyone else fishes, but when using fixed weight I tie on a dropper off of a three-way and then either put on a slinky by using a loop or crimp on hollow pencil lead. When using sliding weight I put on a snap swivel above the barrel swivel, to which I attach my leader. The lead is put on the snap swivel via a hole which is made with a set of driftmasters. Putting the weight directly on the mainline (like splitshot) seems silly cause if you get hung up, the whole thing is gone.