I know there are trade-offs, like the supposition that fish won't strike if they see the leader....

Both George Harvey and Vince Marinaro, IIRC, conducted experiments to
demonstrate that it doesn't matter if the fish "see" the leader.

They attached short pieces of very heavy leader to flies, and dropped
them into the water. Fish took them eagerly.

The reason for a fine leader is not that it's hard for the fish to
see, but that it is more flexible and thus less likely to produce
drag.

vince