if im only using 2 rods i normally wouldnt use fixed back leads, only the flying ones. i have recently started to fish with 4 rods so i find i have to use back leads to reduce the chance of fish picking up my other lines.
most of the places i fish are fairly uniform depth with no snags so i tend to use back leads most of the time. i find back leads are a must in the summer when day ticket waters tend to be packed with fair weather anglers. nothing worse than getting woke up by someone elses fish snagging your lines.
I cannot be bothered with all the complicated rigs that are out there to be tied. I only use a simple line aligner tied knotless knot style. this rig has never failed me and can be tied almost blindfolded. what is the actual point in tying these over complicated rigs? does it make you a better angler?
i carried on using small pva bags with crushed bolies and a few whole freebies but this didnt seem to work to well, as soon as i switched to pva stringers my catch rate increased.
i gave up using pop-ups ages ago. i prefer to find a really good bottom bait. i have been using bird seed based baits, they work really well this time of year.