Carolina rigs are like our taste in women, we all like something different. I rig in rocky, deep, zebra mussel infested areas and use:
16-20 Fluorocarbon line
Spro swivel
GLASS BEAD
Lead or Brass cigar/MOJO shaped sinkers (1/2-1oz)
15lb mono leader (3-6')
I prefer to use an offset worm hook, not ewg, when I can get away with it.
I've cut lines when a tungsten sinker cracked a glass bead. Braid is almost too sensitive and you set the hook on everything.