Carolina Rig?

[Travis C.]

This is one thing (of many) that I haven't quite figured out how to use effectively. I am sure there are some guys on here quite good at it. Any pointer's like right setup/baits/methods to where I can fish it more often.

Thanks!

[Spencer L]

Set up wise I would say eiter get the pre made rigs or use carolina keepers. The keepers are the easiest way and a major time saver in crumch time. I always use a 7 ft or longer medium heavy rod with a 6.3 or higher reel. I like being able to bring in line quickly on long or really deep strikes. Bait wise the selection is unlimited. Brush hogs or rage's version are great. I've had good success kn rage tail craws as well. Large ribbon tails also seem to work well. Anything that creates a lot of ripple when pulled a distance. I always varythe time and speed I pull until I find what the want on a particular day. I haven't trie it yet but I have a feeling that a missile baits tomahawk will end up being a great bait for a carolina rig.

[nofish]

I've only used carolina rigs catfishing, but my buddy uses them for bass. He uses a half oz egg slip sinker above the swivel and maybe 2ft of leader. He rigs the hook texas/weedlessand uses plastic worms or crawfish. He casts it close to structure, lets it hit the bottom, holds his rod tip up and slowly reels it across the bottom all the way back to the boat occasionally stopping or twitching. Thats how ive seen him do it and everytime hes done it with me in the boat hes caught some decent lm and sm bass. Ive never had any luck with it. I think it takes some getting used to.

[Travis C.]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have to be out by OH today and may throw a rod in the car to try it a little.

Will try to fish it more often and hopefully get better with it. I can remember the one and only fish I ever caught fishing the C-Rig so that tells me to fish it a lot more. LOL...

The C-rig is my go 2 rig for summer fishing. There are a thousand different ways to fish the C-rig. It can be used for any fish that relates to the bottom. The important thing is to match the rod, reel, line, sinker weight, hook and leader and bait type to the targeted species.
I will describe my bass rig.
Lets start with the rod. I use a 7 foot medium heavy rod. I have used 7ft 6inch flipping sticks too. They work great. I want a long handle so I can 2 hand cast the heavy weight and for leverage against my side while working the rod or setting the hook.
I prefer a wide spool reel like the Curado. The ratio of this reel is 6.2 to 1. I have used the Revos too. I prefer the wide high speed reels. The wide spools will hold enough 20 lb mono to make long cast. The stretch in 20 lb is not so bad that I can't get a hookset on the end of a long cast. I never use less than 20 lb test on the reel.
Next on the line is a plastic bead of sufficient diameter as to not go thru thru tip top. Next is a home made brass carolina rig. Make sure the pointed end of the weight is pointed toward the rod....lol I have had to cut a few off and retie.
The home made rig is made up from : Nylon covered stainless steel wire @ 45 lb test, two #7 swivels and desired brass weight and 2 -#4 crimping sleeves. I put different color and type beads on for a desired affect. Plastic for a soft click....brass and glass for more aggressive clicking. I always put a bead in front of the weight. That will reduce hangups.
The leader is usually a 12 to 15 lb test mono or fluorocarbon. The standard starting length for me is about 30 inches. I have gone to 4 feet but that is rare. I like 6 to 9 inch lizards, hogs and when the bite is tuff I'll downsize to a 2/0 hook and use a centipede. The big lizards and worms I use in the heat of summer.
The cast.... Use a 2 handed lob cast. Be careful of your back cast. You'll have about 3 feet of line behind you. Just before the rig hits the water stop the spool with your thumb. This will straighten the rig out and help prevent tangles. Let the rig settle to the bottom. I tighten the line and use a side way drag and reel down and drag again. I'll drag about 5 feet at a time. The hookset is the same...sideways.... not overhead like a texas rig . I work this bait quickly and with rhythm. The sinker must not leave the bottom!!!! I sometimes when searching a hump or point make a long cast and drag the bait with the trolling motor looking for the " Sweet Spot" amazing what I have caught doing this.
I have posted a few pics to help explain my rig.

Travis,
One thing I forgot to mention is the bite. Most bites will not feel like a jig or texas rig bite. Rare is the " tap" bite. The bite usually comes when the lure stops and is gliding on a loose leader. I usually feel weight or a heaviness when I make another pull sideways. Set the hook if anything feels different on the retrieve. I almost always start with a Zoom watermelon lizard and I'll dye the curled part of the tail with chartreuse die. On occasion a bass will grab the lizard and run with it.......If that happens, I'll grab up a diving crankbait that will hit the bottom and start hauling the bass in. I have found that if a bass runs with a bait they have the feed sack on and a feeding frenzy is taking place. Let us know how your C-rigging adventures go for you.

[Travis C.]

Thanks for the pointers.

I made maybe 4 casts with it yesterday and on the last cast something happend on my spool sending the rig out into OH. If it was a backlash then I could understand but the spool looked normal. Guess the line somehow bit down under itself deeper in the spool. Only took that one rod and my creatures baits so will have to try again another day bringing spare gear.

Will definitely use it more and experiment because I never realize just how fast/much water you can cover with this thing. Its about like fishing a crankbait more so than a jig.

Originally Posted by Travis C.

Thanks for the pointers.

I made maybe 4 casts with it yesterday and on the last cast something happend on my spool sending the rig out into OH. If it was a backlash then I could understand but the spool looked normal. Guess the line somehow bit down under itself deeper in the spool. Only took that one rod and my creatures baits so will have to try again another day bringing spare gear.

Will definitely use it more and experiment because I never realize just how fast/much water you can cover with this thing. Its about like fishing a crankbait more so than a jig.

I do use it a lot as a search bait. I like cranking too but my fingers and shoulders are somewhat arthritic and need to change up every so often. sometimes when I find fish I'll slow down a little longer between pauses. Oh ....always keep a taut line, especially reeling down. Slack will prevent you from feeling the subtle bites.

This is a little different set up that I have used.
A 1 ounce sinker I prefer an egg shape but I have used a bullet weight. I first slide several beads up the line. The first one must not go thru the tip top on the rod. I have knocked several inserts out in the past because of reeling the swivel into my guide. Then slide a couple more beads on the line. Tie a #7 brass barrel swivel on and then tie a leader on the swivel followed by a hook and lure. The harder the sinker the more feel you have of the bottom. I'm to cheap to use the tungsten weights....lol The beads will help protect the knot and the first inch or so of line in front of the sinker. That is why I make my own from stainless coated wire. Inspect your line regularly for nicks and abrasions.

[Travis C.]

I hope to catch something on it next time out and put some of these tips to good use.

Thanks!

[sbrison]

Like most styles of fishing you will get better the more experience you have because you will begin to understand the "feel" of the rig. Many people look at a carolina rig as a deep structure technique but I have seen it used successfully for spawning fish in 2' of water. I agree with ALANGRAY, a one ounce sinker gives you more feel and lead works fine. Once you get the hang of it you can easily tell the difference between mud, sand, laydowns, gravel, shell beds, etc. etc. The best description I heard someone give to how a bite feels is that your line will feel "electric, or alive". Always use your rod to pull the rig and keep constant contact with the bottom. When a fish picks it up, reel down to it and cross their eyes. C-rig is a great method for numbers any time of the year.

Originally Posted by sbrison

like most styles of fishing you will get better the more experience you have because you will begin to understand the "feel" of the rig. Many people look at a carolina rig as a deep structure technique but i have seen it used successfully for spawning fish in 2' of water. I agree with alangray, a one ounce sinker gives you more feel and lead works fine. Once you get the hang of it you can easily tell the difference between mud, sand, laydowns, gravel, shell beds, etc. Etc. The best description i heard someone give to how a bite feels is that your line will feel "electric, or alive". Always use your rod to pull the rig and keep constant contact with the bottom. When a fish picks it up, reel down to it and cross their eyes. C-rig is a great method for numbers any time of the year.

like !!!!!