Hi, Ken, how are things?

To tie spinnerbaits to the line, I personally use the uni-knot (I use the uni-knot 99.99% of the time):

http://www.animatedknots.com/uniknot/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

or you can keep it simple & use the palomar knot:

http://www.animatedknots.com/palomar/index.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

As far as weighing down spinnerbaits, this is something I never do. If I want a spinnerbait to run deeper, I do one (or more) of the following:

1. Slow down my retrieve. The slower you go with a spinnerbait, the deeper it'll get.

2. Use a larger spinnerbait if I want to stay at the same retrieve speed.

3. Go to a lighter line. The lighter the line, the smaller its diameter, and the smaller its water resisitance, so lighter lines will let lures run deeper. I wouldn't go too light, though. If I'm using 14 lb.-test line, for example, I wouldn't go much smaller than 10 lb.-test when I shrink it.  If you want to shrink line diameter but not lose any strength, use a green colored braided line.

If you want to weigh spinnerbaits down to go deeper yet keep the same size & retrieve speed... or you want the spinnerbait to go faster but still hold its depth... I imagine you could weigh one down the same way I weigh down crankbaits. Use a Water Gremlin Bull Shot weight. This is a weight that's shaped like a bullet weight, but gets crimped on the line like a splitshot. Point the narrow end toward the rod, and the fat end toward the lure, about 18" to 24" ahead of the spinnerbait. Then squeeze it onto the line with a pair of pliers.

Hope I helped you a little, Ken. Tight lines.