sounds if your doing things right. i use a five foot lenght of lead core and a break away lead which is tied useing a rottern bottom. i've just started tying my chods useing a slightly less stiff mono maxima line in 12lb breaking strain it still curves nicely if youwant to but i don't bother as the hook kicks over nicely without a curve to it. the lenth i tie them is about 2/3 inches. the water i'm fishing is very weedy and i wold not pull back as this could end up bogging everything in the weed. i also fish the chod link running on the lead core. i wouldn't bother changing over to floro carbon leaders theres no need just match the colour of your lead core to the lake bed ect. i use the weed green esp lead core at the moment.
on a note lead core is only dangerous if used incorrectly as was make sure the hook link can come off easy and always use a rotter bottom so the lead drops of if things do get stuck.