Carolina Rig.....tell Me Everything

[PondBoss]

I fished a tournament yesterday and the C-rig was about the only thing that was working.  The problem with that is I had never fished one before.  My partner caught fish all day long, I only caught 2.  I missed a dozen fish and broke a big one off.  What is the secret to making those misses into fish in the boat?  My partner said I was using the wrong type of hook, is that possible?  I was using an Trokar 3/0 EWG light wire hook.  It seemed like all of my bites were really fast and aggressive, it was a quick hard tap tap, reel down set the hook and nothing.  What was I doing wrong?

[Trailer]

I don't know but there was a great video posted on the homepage here. It was Mike Iaconelli talking about the Carolina Rig. I thought it was a good video. I'm always trying to learn.

[PondBoss]

I watched the video, it didn't seem to answer any questions I had.  I used a 2ish foot leader, water was around 57*, hard bottom.

[yoyoman]

i use 50 lb braid tied to a swivel with 10 lb flouro. 1/2 to 3/4 lead sinker with bead. 2/0 ewg gammy hook. I drag my creature bait and pause at the end of my drag. on hook set i always set by reeling down and hooking to the side. i dont miss or lose alot of fish this way.

[Glenn]

Here's more info:

 

http://www.bassresource.com/beginner/Carolina_Texas_Rig.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/carolina-texas-rig.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/carolina_rig.html

http://www.bassresource.com/hank-parker-fishing/carolina-rig.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/Texas_Carolina_bass_fishing.html

 

That should keep you busy for awhile. 

[Crappiebasser]

What type of bait were you using? I use EWGs with lizard or creature baits. I use a 7'3" rod and fast reel. I prefer using Carolina Keepers instead of swivels because I get better feel of the bait. I use braid to a heavy mono leader to help the bait float better. I try to use the lightest weight that will get me to the depth I need but I mostly use 3/8 barrel weights.

[Comfortably Numb]

Tap is i bass. Agressive Tap Tap Tap is a bluegill.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm not an expert on the Carolina rig and I only fish it when I've got to, when it has been proven to me that it is the best option.  That being said, I started catching a better percentage of fish when I got the hookset down.  Hard and fast TO THE SIDE.    I seldom caught a fish when I went up and over my head with a fast, hard hook set.  I would try to remember to set to the opposite side that the bait was moving but that wasn't always an option.  The key thing for me was the hook set to the side.

 

Oh yeah, my catch rate got better when I changed up the rig I was fishing with.   I was using a 7' MH rod ( on the heavy side of MH) with a bait caster and 17 lb mono and15 or 12 lb fluorocarbon leader.    I generally used a 3/4 oz weight, sometimes an ounce. I got more distance casting, and it got down quick.

 

I switched to a 7'6" MH spinning rod and a 4000 size reel.  30 lb braid connected to a 10 to 20 lb fluorocarbon leader.   Same weight range.     Casting range with this rig seems unlimited, and the feel is good when the weight is on the bottom.  

 

I know most guys use bait casting gear for the Carolina rig, but I've done better with heavy duty spinning gear.

[gripnrip]

Tap is i bass. Agressive Tap Tap Tap is a bluegill.

I disagree.  I have caught bass with more than one tap.  I believe it depends on what type of bait you use.  More taps, if it's a bass, means they are trying to crush the bait before completely getting it in their mouth.

[gripnrip]

I fished a tournament yesterday and the C-rig was about the only thing that was working.  The problem with that is I had never fished one before.  My partner caught fish all day long, I only caught 2.  I missed a dozen fish and broke a big one off.  What is the secret to making those misses into fish in the boat?  My partner said I was using the wrong type of hook, is that possible?  I was using an Trokar 3/0 EWG light wire hook.  It seemed like all of my bites were really fast and aggressive, it was a quick hard tap tap, reel down set the hook and nothing.  What was I doing wrong?

What type of bait were you using PB?

[eyedabassman]

 

Tap is i bass. Agressive Tap Tap Tap is a bluegill.

 

Like the others have said,the side hook set is the way to set the hook.If you set upwards you use the weight against you. As for the tap,Tap,Tap, that is not always a bluegill. I fish the C-rig alot and I have had many tap,tap,tap,that were very big bass!!!!

[eyedabassman]

And if you are not setting the hook on a tap,tap,tap,and thinking it was a bluegill,you are missing alot of bass!

[Jaiden]

The hookset is not like a T Rig. It's a long sweeping motion to the side like everybody else said.

[Teal]

What rod,line, and lure were you using? Do you know what your partner was using?

I have good success on carolina rigs, not my favorite technique but i do it. I use a flipping stick 7'6H that has a mod fast taper for my carolina riggin. I use 50lb braid with either fc or mono leader depending on the speciific area and if mono if im really trying to keep the bait up. I also use a tungsten weight normally 3/4 oz. Ill use a 1/2 if it is not windy and the water is slick.

The thing that i changed that really really helped me put those missed fish in the boat was changing my hook set. I used to try and cross their eyes and boy was i wrong. A hard SIDE SWEEPING HOOKSET is what i do now and i dont miss nearly as many.

[Dave P]

Definitely the MH or H rod and braid. 3/4 oz weight, Side sweep and you are good to go.

[skeetercraig]

always set the hook on a tap or tap tap tap lol , never guess whos knocking if they knock i crush them

[PondBoss]

Sorry I didn't post my set up or how I was setting the hook.  Set up is a 7'6" MH Ethos with a 7.1:1 Menace 30lb braid to 15lb fluoro leader.  Baits used were super hog, lizard, worm, etc.  Hook set was sweeping to the side.  I have seen numerous videos and read articles about fishing the rig, but my lack of connection really had me wondering.  The only thing I can think of that I was doing different was my partner was using some sort of scent.  Maybe that was all the difference in the world.

 

I asked him about the tap tap bites and thought they were blue gills, he promptly told me they were bass and to set the hook on anything I felt.  He brought back in a lot of half eaten baits through out the day, but he also caught fish all day long.

[aharris]

Your set up seems okay. I don't use braid but I'm not saying its wrong. Whatever u feel comfortable with. Just remember to drag the weight. I try to always stay in contact with the bottom. My personal pref on weights depends on the wind. I'll go up to an ounce if the wind is blowing. When I feel a tap, I drop my rid and give it slack. Then slowly raise it up...any tension at all, and I lay the steel to it. My normal jerk style is at about 2:00 so it works for me. Again, these are preferences for me. I'm not saying they are 100% correct.

[webertime]

What depth? What weight were you using?

A bunch of locals (including some tournament studs) use standard offset worm hooks, not ewg. They feel when the fish do their tap taps, they are trying to crush the bait on the bottom. Since ewg's hang lower they cause the bait/hook to rotate when they get smacked on the bottom, goofing up the "geometry" and hook up. In colder waters we go with 4'+ mono leaders.

[PondBoss]

Was fishing at depths between 3 and 12.  Usually no deeper than 9.  The wind was howling 20-30 so I was using a 1 1/4 oz weight.  Weight never left the bottom.  The first thing I did when I got home was go buy regular off set hooks.  Hopefully that will solve my issues.  I will also try some scent next time when the bite seems to be quick.

[11justin22]

Two things, first I don't like ewg hooks because I have personally tested them and the hook up ratio is not as high. Everyone else's will have a different opnion. One thing u can do to ewg hooks is bend the point out just a little where its not in line with the eye of the hook. That will help a lot. The other thing is when u feel a tap reel down and make sure the fish has ahold and there is weight. A soft tip will help with this. In my experience when the water is still cold the fish are sluggish and often just kinda slap at a bait, waiting until there is weight will make sure he has a firm grasp. Don't wait to long though or u will gut hook the fish.

[Diggy]

additional fun/tutorial vid

 

[Loop_Dad]

Other possibility is the fish knocking the door for you were smaller fish. You mentioned your buddy had lots of half eaten baits When I have lots of non-hook up, I downsize the baits a bit to see if that makes the difference. If that works and the fish is small, then I can verify my theory was correct. And then I upsize to eliminate the little boys.

[BassmanDan]

The other thing is when u feel a tap reel down and make sure the fish has ahold and there is weight. A soft tip will help with this. In my experience when the water is still cold the fish are sluggish and often just kinda slap at a bait, waiting until there is weight will make sure he has a firm grasp. Don't wait to long though or u will gut hook the fish.

 

This. Sometimes the bass will smack it around once or twice and then crush it...this seems to happen more with a c-rig then texas rig for some reason. Feel the weight, then put the hammer down.

[Comfortably Numb]

I understand that it was windy and you needed the heavier weight. Fish may have felt the weight and let go. I go to 1/2-3/4 if depth and wind allow it