Carolina Rigs

[midnighthrasher]

I'd like to try carolina rigging. Am i better off to use the pre-done rigs or should i build them myself? I found these...

Tackle warehouse

http://www.***.com/descpage-TBCRR.html

Basspro

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_15792____SearchResults

[Bigbub]

Rig them yourself, their not hard to do. Weight, bead, barrel swivel, leader, hook, and bait. Shallow I like a 1/4 or 3/8 weight, deep I like a 1/2 or 3/4 or sometime a 1 oz. weight. I like a 3.0 to a 5.0 hook depending on your choice of bait. Any soft plastic will work fine. I like brush hogs, big worms, and craws. Just my .02. Hope this helps.

[Grey Wolf]

You can also use crank baits if you want.

[Shad_Master]

I use the ready rigs all the time and have found them to be very good - less time on the water fumbling around with lots of stuff - just tie 'em on and give 'em a fling

[midnighthrasher]

so i would tie on the rig (or one that i have made) and then a couple feet of leader to a texas rigged plastic of choice..... right

[Mottfia]

Definately rig them yourself. You will save yourself alot of money and probably frustration. I don't know how well those pre-rigs are done but I can't trust anything that  has been in a package for that long. I aren't too complicated once you get a feel for them.

Mottfia

[dixieboysles]

C-Rigs is something that me and my fishing partner use all the time!  they are great for combing points and flats, especailly if there is rock on the bottom.  just be careful around too much rock or brush, or you will lose a rig everytime!  i always use either a Zoom trick worm, brush hog, or 6 in lizard.  also, clarity of the water should determine length of leader.  the best thing to do is to take a night your not doing anything and tie you a bunch of them and put them in really small plastic baggies.  then label them as to what length they are.  the dirtier the water, the shorter the leader will be.  in clear water, you can use up to a 3 ft leader (my limit anyhow)then just throw it out there and let it sink.  when it hits bottom, put tension on the line and use your rod to "pull" the weight across the bottom. 

fishing one is alot different than fishing a T-rig or anything else.  ive been told to use a longer rod with a good tip.  you also want to use a good heavy line.  the leader should be a lighter line, that way it floats up.  personally, i use a 2/0 thin wire hook for more bouancy.  also, i use a 1/2oz weight.  i put on one bead, then the weight, then two more beads. then the leader.  i have found that the best beads to use are the clear ones in walmarts craft section. they come in a good sized bag for like $3.50.  on hook set, it is more of a sweeping action than a jerking action. 

if you ever get hung, you can usually go to the other side of where its hung and it'll come loose, if not, more than likely its gone. 

[BassDood]

I agree with everyone here: make them yourself! I like the idea of "pre-staging" the rigs ahead of time.

[bigtimfish]

C rigging is not hard to set up. I use carolina keepers and they work fine. Put the weight on (bullet weight), put on the keeper at the length you want then tie on the hook and done.  http://www.2catchbass.com/store/info.php/id/911

[aarogb]

  I tie my own, but I don't see why using pre-made rigs would hurt your catch ratio.  In fact, the only thing it might hurt is your wallet.

[dixieboysles]

i use a 1/2 oz steel egg weight for mine, is there any negatives to this vs. useing a big bullit weight?

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

i use a 1/2 oz steel egg weight for mine, is there any negatives to this vs. useing a big bullit weight?

Not really except a bullet can get stuck in rocks easier.I like bullets for regular terrain and eggs for rocks and mojo style(long cylindrical) for grass.

so i would tie on the rig (or one that i have made) and then a couple feet of leader to a texas rigged plastic of choice..... right

Not necessarily.In more open water where you may be less prone to snags you may choose to "nose hook" the bait and it will have a lot more action and a very positive hook up in some cases.Not talking about long worms but creatures,frogs,tubebaits,craws,andminnow style plastics work well nose hooked

[grimlin]

i use a 1/2 oz steel egg weight for mine, is there any negatives to this vs. useing a big bullit weight?

Like Bassin_Fin@tic mentioned,if you fish rocky areas they actually work better.I wish i could find them in brass.

[BobP]

I like to tie my own with a 3/4 oz egg sinker and barrel swivel.  It allows the weight to sit in place while the line runs out when a fish bites, and the bass doesn't feel the weight until you set the hook.  Not saying that matters most of the time, but if it gets 5% more fish, well, that's more fish.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

I like to tie my own with a 3/4 oz egg sinker and barrel swivel. It allows the weight to sit in place while the line runs out when a fish bites, and the bass doesn't feel the weight until you set the hook. Not saying that matters most of the time, but if it gets 5% more fish, well, that's more fish.

I agree. the only thing the "pre-rig" saves you is having to thread a weight and bead on the line.You still have to tie 3 knots.I like my sinker to be able to move up and down the line.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

i use a 1/2 oz steel egg weight for mine, is there any negatives to this vs. useing a big bullit weight?

Like Bassin_Fin@tic mentioned,if you fish rocky areas they actually work better.I wish i could find them in brass.

Right,and steel is harder than lead and will give you better feeling of the bottom but it is huge and even bigger than brass.

Grimlin,these are the only ones I have found in brass yet.I haven't used them yet but they seem kind of neat. I just don't know if you would get the same "rolling effect" like a regular egg sinker.

http://www.***.com/descpage-TBSS.html

[The_Natural]

Those 'Carolina Ready Rigs' will kill your sensitivity.  The strike vibrations have to try and travel though all that metal wire to get to your main line.  To get the most feel (and ease of rigging), use Carolina Keepers.  Keeping your line intact telegraphs bites better.