I'm going to have to check out the sinking leaders also.  Never heard of them. I've been using a sink tip from KT-bone but its not all that enjoyable to cast. Used it yesterday for smallmouths with an old Pleuger and a floating line.  Tied up all kinds of bass flies this winter and ended up getting the bass on a Barnes special streamer.  

Regarding the casting basket, it is also useful to hold your line and reel when you get home to hose everything off.  I strip out the entire line and take the spool off the reel and hose it all down in the basket on the lawn as soon as I get home or else I won't do it.   Hose down the rod too.