Anyone fished this setup? I will be targeting smallmouth on a crayfish pattern and thought about giving it a try. Just curious what you guys thought.

Sure, it can work great.

What kind of water are you going to be on?

I have used them and have had success with them. The faster sinking ones seem to be more difficult to cast, but they can be very successful.

I will be on the buffalo river in Arkansas. Just wondering if it is even necessary or if I should just let the crayfish sink slow.

I'll echo this. I used Rio's versa leader for hill country white bass and it works really well, but don't expect to drop dimes from 80 feet away. It's basically a lob, pray, and plop game because the heavier leader creates a wicked hinge point. It's one time where you will want to open up your cast and form a big open loop.

Rio's Versileader works well for me and are available in a good variety of weights.

It can't hurt to keep a couple in your bag. If the flow rates increase in the river you're fishing, simply relying on the weight of the fly to sink may not be enough.

An all fluorocarbon leader will sink and won't cause any additional casting issues over and above an equivalent sized nylon leader. A fluorocarbon leader offers a mid point between using a floating nylon leader and going with a harder to cast sinking leader. I'd tie up a few fluorocarbon leaders just in case they offer enough sinking action.

That's what I was thinking about, the flow rate. If you're in faster water, they can really be useful. That said, the Buffalo isn't exactly a ripping river, but I can think of a few places there that I might put one on. I always carry a couple with me just in case.

I don't know if you've ever floated the Buffalo before, but if you haven't, know you're in for a great trip. That river is absolutely stunning.

They work. A line that is actually designed as a sink tip is a better option.

I keep a couple in my bag. They work for sure in certain circumstances, and they take up like no space and aren't expensive.

Carrying multiple spools/lines is probably better, but also a lot more trouble and expense.

The orvis poly leaders come in different lengths and sink rates, and they're like ten-fifteen bucks each I think.

I use a 5ft Airflow fast sinking, then tie on about a 4ft or 5ft fluro. (Invisx).

I like them and find it way easier to cast a sinking leader than a heavy fly, especially if I'm putting on split shot.

This situation appears to be Ideal for the Micro Skagit application with sink tips. That method of casting is so ideal for big flies and sink tips.

I generally use a Rio sinking leader but prefer the shorter length for easier casting. I like no more than 7" in length.

I normally don't change reels/line that often when I'm on the water. I do add a flourocarbon leader/tippet when I want to drop below the surface a little bit and have a floating line on.