Startin To Really Like The Carolina Rig...questions

[airborne_angler]

I think this season I'm gonna start throwing the C-Rig more often. I've become somewhat addicted after catching a few fish on it. Question I have is about the bite. Occasionally on the retrieve ill get the "tap-tap". What do you all do when you get that? Do you just stop and wait to see what happens next, do you swing on it, or just continue the retrieve? Wondering if that tap is maybe a curious Bluegill striking the sinker.

On the fish I caught yesterday, I was dragging bottom, it felt like nothing...probably soft bottom, then suddenly it got "crunchy" like a bunch of chunk gravel. Then the line started pulling away slowly...wonder if I was in some chunk gravel or if maybe the crunchinesd was the fish chomping on the bait.

There's one thing for sure that holds true...always be aware of the "feel"...if it suddenly starts to feel "different"...be suspicious...its likely a fish.

[Darren.]

I think this season I'm gonna start throwing the C-Rig more often. I've become somewhat addicted after catching a few fish on it. Question I have is about the bite. Occasionally on the retrieve ill get the "tap-tap". What do you all do when you get that? Do you just stop and wait to see what happens next, do you swing on it, or just continue the retrieve? Wondering if that tap is maybe a curious Bluegill striking the sinker.

On the fish I caught yesterday, I was dragging bottom, it felt like nothing...probably soft bottom, then suddenly it got "crunchy" like a bunch of chunk gravel. Then the line started pulling away slowly...wonder if I was in some chunk gravel or if maybe the crunchinesd was the fish chomping on the bait.

There's one thing for sure that holds true...always be aware of the "feel"...if it suddenly starts to feel "different"...be suspicious...its likely a fish.

 

You know, I have tried the C-rig, but not had a lot of success with it. However, when I feel the tap-tap on say a split-shot rig, I'll reel down and set the hook. I've heard things like "count to three and set the hook at the first tap", etc.

 

I threw a TX rig the other day at an area (I wasn't aware it had beds on it at the time) and kept feeling the  (as you describe) crunch. I'd reel down and set the hook to nothing. I knew there were some sticks on the bottom.

 

I changed over to a weighted/weedless wacky rig and BANG there they were. As I paddled over that area to free a snag, I saw the beds (in 6-7' of water!), and then knew the bass were picking up and spitting out my TX rig. So I agree on the feel.

[eyedabassman]

I fish the C-Rig more in the summer when they are on deep weedlines,As for bed fish I think there are better ways to go than a C-rig,drop shot or a weighted worm or unweighted. On the Tap,Tap I just go back and pick my line up and set the hook on a side set ( Never set upwards ). If i keep missing fish i will change my bait or go bigger or smaller.I hope that this did help!

[Fishes in trees]

I'm not a carolina rig expert.   I don't fish it that often.   One thing that I do know is that hooksets are free.

If you think that a bite is happening and a fish has your bait anywhere near its mouth you should set the hook.

[Quillback]

I fish a c-rig quite a bit and my fishing buddy fishes them a lot.  First thing I'll say is that is definitely a technique where a sensitive rod is a plus, you want to be able to differentiate between a bite and what it feels like when you're going through rocks.  And as you noticed, when you're dragging through rocky stuff that's where you'll get your bites most often, I will usually avoid using a c-rig around muddy bottoms or weeds.  As far as bites, I usually will put a little pressure on the rod when I feel a tap-tap and if it feels fishy, I'll set the hook, I'm a fun fisherman so I won't let them take it too long as they can end up swallowing the bait and end up as bleeders.  I'd rather miss a few than kill a few.  But with bass on a c-rig bite, if you feel a bite they've more than likely got it in their mouth, so go ahead and set on them.

[airborne_angler]

I'm throwing my C-Rig on a Falcon Lowrider Carolina Lizard Dragger I which I have also used for a Frog Rod.I'm running a 1oz Steel Egg weight with a 65lb braid mainline and a 24 inch 12# mono leader. Got hung on something yesterday and try as I might I couldn't break free. The knots held, the lines held...in the end the hook straightened...so I'd say my knot tying ability is up to par...

[00 mod]

Try fishing a tungsten weight.  It will open your eyes to what is down there.  Also it will be smaller for the same weight and not hang as much.

 

Jeff

[Sam]

When the bait feels different set the hook.

 

That is why we all need to know how each bait feels without any tension.

 

I will PM you some Carolina rig suggestions.

[airborne_angler]

Thanks for the pointers You sent Sam...thanks for all the replies

[jeb2]

I fish a c-rig quite a bit and my fishing buddy fishes them a lot.  First thing I'll say is that is definitely a technique where a sensitive rod is a plus, you want to be able to differentiate between a bite and what it feels like when you're going through rocks.  And as you noticed, when you're dragging through rocky stuff that's where you'll get your bites most often, I will usually avoid using a c-rig around muddy bottoms or weeds.  As far as bites, I usually will put a little pressure on the rod when I feel a tap-tap and if it feels fishy, I'll set the hook, I'm a fun fisherman so I won't let them take it too long as they can end up swallowing the bait and end up as bleeders.  I'd rather miss a few than kill a few.  But with bass on a c-rig bite, if you feel a bite they've more than likely got it in their mouth, so go ahead and set on them.

100% agree. While there may be a few days where I'll miss a few setting the hook as soon as I feel them, I still have a great hookup percentage with setting the hook immediately. Also agree a very sensitive rod is a big key to this technique. Used a Loomis 803GLX for a long time and it's the gold standard in this area, IMO. Now I'm using the Loomis 873CRR NRX and it is also excellent for it.

 

C-rigging is the first technique I forced myself to study and learn beyond just throwing spinnerbaits and dragging jigs. And I've had a tremendous amount of success with it. So it's really become my go-to technique whenever the conditions allow for it.

[mtaag3]

Has anyone tried using big Texas Rig weights with their C rigs? I've put one on and there is a significant difference in the feel of the bottom it seems. Also, I've notices that resistance and "snags" seem reduced.

[Quillback]

Has anyone tried using big Texas Rig weights with their C rigs? I've put one on and there is a significant difference in the feel of the bottom it seems. Also, I've notices that resistance and "snags" seem reduced.

Not sure what you mean by "big" but I use tungsten bullet weights anywhere from 1/4 - 1/2 oz.  They do come through cover well, and do a better job of transmitting bottom structure better than lead, but are more expensive.  My buddy has been using the lead Mojo weights with great success, they seem to get snagged with less frequency than anything else we've tried (and we've tried a lot of different weights).

[mtaag3]

By "big" I meant heavy >1/2 oz.

[eyedabassman]

The bigger the weight the better the feel. I fish a 1/2 to 1oz..tungsten weight on my C-rigs.

[airborne_angler]

So I just got in an assorted lot of tackle that I bought on Ebay. Included in the lot was a 1oz Tungsten weight from Strike King. WOW... I have never messed with Tungsten...thats some heavy stuff for the size...I'm gonna give it a try on my next outing to see how it feels.

[BobP]

I most often use a 3/4 oz brass or steel weight.  C-rig bites can be really subtle.  Sometimes you feel nothing until you move the weight enough to tighten up the leader.  Fortunately, fish will usually hold on long enough for you to do that but a very sensitive rod is a big plus.  Sounds to me like you have a good setup with braid mainline and mono or fluoro leader.  That's what I fish too.

[BassThumb]

Half the time, a strike on a C-rig just feels kinda mushy. I make a lot of unnecessary hook sets while Carolina rig fishing, since with tungsten sinkers, every little pebble results in a tap. There is no other bait that's as well suited for the old adage, "When in doubt, set the hook."

[mtaag3]

I have been fishing a lot with the C rig with no luck. Unfortunately I am fishing from the bank with a lot of mud/grass and I've only felt one or two bites (although I could have had many more) but I'm starting to think the C rig from shore is not a good idea as I can't seem to get the bait off the bottom and hence the bait just drags and never gets "up" to get the fish's attention. 

[HeavyDluxe]

... but I'm starting to think the C rig from shore is not a good idea as I can't seem to get the bait off the bottom and hence the bait just drags and never gets "up" to get the fish's attention. 

 

I'm not a wise enough angler to even begin to tell you whether the C-rig is the right thing to throw from *your* shore or not, but I can tell you two things:

 

First, I've used the Carolina Rig from shore at our local pond (sandy, grassy bottom) with success.  Second, I tend to fish soft plastics very slow and leave them on the bottom for 30 seconds or more between hops.  Fish will pick them right up off the bottom, even after they've just sat there for a season.  So, unless you're trying to get the bait 'up' over vegetation or something I think the C-rig ought to work for you.

[mtaag3]

I'm not a wise enough angler to even begin to tell you whether the C-rig is the right thing to throw from *your* shore or not, but I can tell you two things:

 

First, I've used the Carolina Rig from shore at our local pond (sandy, grassy bottom) with success.  Second, I tend to fish soft plastics very slow and leave them on the bottom for 30 seconds or more between hops.  Fish will pick them right up off the bottom, even after they've just sat there for a season.  So, unless you're trying to get the bait 'up' over vegetation or something I think the C-rig ought to work for you.

 

 

I'm sure it's possible I am trying to fish it too fast. Maybe I need to let it sit in place much longer than I currently am. I'm currently fishing it like a very slow jig or T rig retrieve. 

[Oldplug]

A Carolina rig is like a y other system to me. It has it time and places. It also has many variations and you need to spend a lot of time trying them out. I am currently fishing a fishing a 6 inch worm about a foot in back of a 1/8 oz split shot. In a finesse way. I fish it on channel banks. It is very effective this time if the year. To be honest though in the past few years I have been fishing the Carolina less and less I have found that I can get better results casting a drop shot and retrieving it. I really believe it is more versatile.

[airborne_angler]

The first time I threw a C-Rig years ago was at a pond, from the bank...Caught 2 nice ones...so throwing from the bank can work.