The issue most people have with them is that if you break off there is a reasonable chance that the fish will get snagged on something and die.
I don't have an issue with pickerel rigs but if your are going to use them set them up properly. Don't just use them straight out of the package... You need better hooks and your line from rig to hook should be the weakest on the rig, preferably weak enough that a fish can break off if they are hooked onto a snagged rig, something like 6 to maybe 8 lb line. You should make your line to your weight lighter then the main line too so you can break it off and recover the rig if your weight gets stuck, if your main line is 20 lbs use 10 lbs for weight. If you do these things then pickerel rigs really aren't all that bad, it is when you use them as sold that you will leave rigs all over the place since most people fish with lighter strength main line then what the cheap pickerel rigs are made of...
One note when it comes to pickerel rigs. DO NOT USE THEM FOR STURGEON... They are not strong enough, use a sturgeon sliding rig...
Since you asked for other options a sliding rig is always an option too. Here is a picture.Same as above you should always design a bait rig so that if it breaks you only leave the hook in the fishes mouth, preferably with as little leader as possible. For sturgeon I use sturgeon leader instead of mono.