Trolling Sinkers and sensitivity

I've recently been shad fishing from the shore in Richmond, VA, the shad run is really popular in this area and I've been a few times.  I've seen many people use the trolling sinkers (main line tied to one end and leader side tied to the other) I get the feeling that the weight would kind of mute the feeling you'd get from a bite, but swivels on a C-rig are similar...any one have any ideas on this? I was thinking maybe an Egg sinker above a swivel as an alternative.