Some really good advice there I think although it pains me to lose the rotten bottom rig AND the lead!!!!!!!!! Remember that using slightly lighter line to attach your lead will work as long as you're not trying to hit huge distances!
I use 35lb braid with no shockleader, and with the lead tied on with 30lb mono, when i'm fishing the Swellies. This is because there's no need to cast more than about 60yds (average is 40yds!) when i'm after Bass as they will be feeding (hopefully) in the rough stuff which is were crabs find refuge. I've never tried the knotted piece of line idea as I have no real idea how much energy it needs before it parts! Perhaps it's worth trying when i'm alone and thus not in danger of 'braining' anyone!! Mind you it's only practice (many would say, bad practice) that allows me to do what I described above!
Since reading your initial posting I had a quick read of Mike Thrussels ideas/tips etc. up there on the left and in particular the stuff on 'Rough Ground Bassing' and one on Cod in similar ground. He talks of using no more than 2ozs because you don't need to hit the horizon. Come to think of it, that's all I ever used to use! Spark plugs are about that and I've lost masses of them too!
Why is it then that I've taken to chucking out 3,4 and even 6ozs?? Why?? Answer: because I bought a new rod/reel and that's what the articles in Magazines are advocating. They must be fishing in places with far more tidal flow than I do OR ARE HAVING TO CAST OUT FAR TO REACH THE FISH!! Fishing sandy/pebbly beaches in East Anglia, as I sometimes do, (about once every 3 months) I can afford to use heavy leads and even to clip then on directly to my rigs!!!!! I have been known to take off the initial lead at the end of the three hours, or even change leads to experiment!! So there I use thinner 15lb braid with a 40lb shockleader. It protects the natives and makes me feel a little more like a 'proper' sea-angler!!!!