Do You Like Using A Carolina Rig?

[Trailer]

I've always had a carolina rig in my tackle box as long as I've fished. I sometimes hear people talk as if it is their last resort method. I'm wondering if there's any of you guys who would rank it near the top and if so, what pointers would you offer when using this rig.

[jeb2]

I NEVER do not have a C-rig tied on one rod. I fish it almost everytime I go fishing. It's been a huge producer for me over the years. Pointers are well listed in many online articles, but I'd say there is no "one way" to fish them. You need to fish them enough to get a feel for what works when, from slow dragging to steady retrieve, small baits or huge baits, heavy sinker (even shallow at times) or light sinker, etc, etc.

[Trailer]

I NEVER do not have a C-rig tied on one rod. I fish it almost everytime I go fishing. It's been a huge producer for me over the years. Pointers are well listed in many online articles, but I'd say there is no "one way" to fish them. You need to fish them enough to get a feel for what works when, from slow dragging to steady retrieve, small baits or huge baits, heavy sinker (even shallow at times) or light sinker, etc, etc.

Do you think tungsten makes that big a difference? I always throw lead but recently bought tungsten.

[Trailer]

By the way, good to see you, fellow Hog!

[jeb2]

I do think you feel a bit more with tungsten weights. But in the rocky lakes around here like Beaver and Table Rock, you just loose too many of them. I made the switch to Mojo weights late last year and have been very impressed with them. Don't get snagged as often, pull loose more often when they do, still give excellent feel and don't damage the line above the swivel as quickly.

[Blue Streak]

I fished them for years with excellent results but stopped because i was gut hooking too many bass. Now I do the same thing with a football jig and it is just as effective.

Yes tungsten is worth it on any rig. They help you feel the bottom much better.

[Trailer]

Do you guys think the C-rig is a good year-round rig? I know as the weather heats up in the midday sun I throw them during summer but right now water temps are high 40's, maybe 50.

[Teal]

I have C rigged in cold weather. It works. Just have to go SLOW! But thats any cold temp bottom technique. the past couple years, ive replaced some of my carolina rigging with a Football jig.... espcially in the winter. Ill still c rig in the spring and summer. A senko or GYCB Kut tail on a carolina rig is deadly.

Braid and tungsten here. When i fish Kerr Lake, its Mojo weights. Gaston is fine with the tungsten barrells.

[TrapperJ]

They work, but its hard for me to fish sooooooooooo slooooooooooooooooooow. so it falls into the last resort category for myself. But all the time you waste fishing other baits you probably could have boated some fish on the ole C-Rig.

 

I have always been told when you cant get a bite on anything else, go to the old C-Rig.

 

And on the note, i think i'll add a Carolina Keeper (for quick C-Rigging Action) to my arsenal for my upcoming Grand Lake Tourney next month, you never know!

[TrapperJ]

I may try one of these to get the good ole "clacking sound working as well"

 

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Carolina-Shortcut-Rig/product/15792/

 

http://www.basspro.com/Strike-King-EZ-Rigs/product/103467/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT

[ww2farmer]

I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I have had days where it's the difference between fish in the boat or not. Dropshotting has replaced it for me as the "go to" technique when I just need a bite.

[Lip 'em!]

I dont like throwing it simply because its awkward to cast. With that said though, it has its time and place and has produced several good fish for me.

[Darren.]

It is a rare thing for me to throw a Carolina rig. I've honestly not fished it enough to say it's awesome. Other techniques do better for me like mentioned above, drop shotting, jigs.

[scrutch]

I always have one rigged up on the deck of the boat. Usually with a Rage Tail Smokin Rooster on it. I feel a lot of the bottom with a lead weight. I can feel the difference between wood, big rock, small rock, sand, etc. if you use it enough, you'll be amazed what you can tell about the bottom.

Glenn got me started on the Carolina keeper. I really like them. Only one knot to tie and it allows you to adjust the leader length.

[Sam]

Trailer, throw it!

 

Here are some additional suggestions to compliment what was offered above:

 

1.  Use a MOJO one-ounce Carolina slider weight. You will not find them in stores so you will have to order them on-line.

2.  Use a Gamakatsu Super Line EWG 4/0 hook.

3.  Consider 17 pound test flourocarbon line.

4.  Use any plastic you wish.

5.  Throw the rig on a 7-foot heavy rod.

6.  Use a strong reel, like the Abu Ambassadeur 5:3:1 6500 size round reel.

 

Tungston weights are excellent however they are expensive and you will lose them if you throw the C-rig into structure. But that is part of the game and if your sonar does not pick up the bottom you will need the tungston weight to feel what is down there.

 

Some guys use braid and then a flouro leader. Your choice.

 

And you can use any reel you feel comfortable using.

 

However, after all is said and done and you consider the suggestions, there is one that always guarantees you will catch some nice bass.

 

The secret is to wear anything purple and gold. These colors call the bass to you.

 

Geaux Tigers!!!!

 

I a

[Dave P]

If I'm not getting bit on what I think I should be the pattern, it's the first thing I pick up.

[K_Mac]

There are times when it will work better than anything else for me. I also fish football jigs often in places where I used to throw a C-rig, but have much confidence with the C-rig based on many years of success using one.Tungsten definitely gives more feel for the bottom-whether it is worth the cost depends on how deep your pockets are and how heavy a mainline you use. I use 15# CXX and don't lose too many.

[Crappiebasser]

I fish it year round. I use a 3/8 or 1/2 oz tungsten weight. I usually use bullet weights but will go to an egg or barrel weight in the rocks. I use braid with a mono leader. I always use a Carolina keeper instead of a swivel. My favorite bait is a 4" lizard on a 1/0 EWG. In the spring and summer I use a small swim bait like a Little Dipper.

[Blues19]

I just started throwing it last year and got somep pretty decent results. I really hated it before, but this year I am actually really excited to throw it a bit. CrappieBasser, I see you use a Carolina Keeper, does anyone else use them or do yall use swivles and leaders? Ive used a Carolina Keeper everytime, but if yall think the other way is better I may switch it up

[Teal]

Has anyone experimented with using two weights, like two 1/4s or two 1/2s either or tungsten or brass?? (For c rigs)

I thought about trying it as a way to create more noise (when the two weights bang together)

Any thoughts?

[papajoe222]

I am not a big fan of the C-rig, but like any presentations, it has it's strong points and times when it's the only one that will get results.  Yes, it can be used in the summer for probing deep structure. It can also be used in the winter as an option in either season to drop shotting or using a jig. Like the drop shot rig, it lets you present your offering off the bottom. Unlike the drop shot, however, the fish feel very little, if any, resistance when taking your offering as the weight is ahead of it and not behind. I personally like using a tube stuffed with a packing styrafoam 'peanut' to really float it. It's a great dead sticking presentation as the tube will stay off the bottom. If catching weeds and other junk with an exposed hook isn't a concern I'd suggest nose hooking your soft plastic using a circle hook to avoid gut hooking fish when using long (over 2ft.) leaders.

I actually prefer split shotting to C-rigging and often use a heavy split shot to maintain bottom contact while still using a fairly fast presentation.

[eyedabassman]

Man i can;t beleave all the bad feed back on the C-rig! I love this rig, and it is a big bass rig because most people fish it in deep water were the pigs hang out! The C-rig has been VERY good to me and I have also fished a small floating crankbait on this rig.True the Football and the swim jig are wright up there too.The one tip I can give is NEVER set the hook in a upward motion, always side set!

[Bluebasser86]

I hate fishing a C-rig but I've caught lots of fish on them and can't deny their effectiveness. It's just a very boring way to fish for me. I normally fish a full sized brush hog on one with brass bullet weights, glass beads, and a brass clicker. I fish them on a 7' 3" MH/F LTB with a 200E7 and 50lb braid mainline with a fluoro leader.

[Teal]

I hate fishing a C-rig but I've caught lots of fish on them and can't deny their effectiveness. It's just a very boring way to fish for me. I normally fish a full sized brush hog on one.

A buddy on mine got his person best with a big brush hog on a c rig. I think it was just shy of 11lbs. He was fishing it on an old road bed (35 FOW) that is known to hold hawgs.

[Jaiden]

I love Carolina rigs. I'll hit deep structure and shallow waters as well. I'll go with a baby brush hog or a Rage hawg. Very effective set up.