Carolina Rig Question

[Frank19]

I'm still new to bass fishing.  I started last year with some simple techniques and this year I want to try some new things.  One thing I would like to try is a Carolina rig.  I was watching the Bass Pros on the VS channel and the guy was using a 50lb florocarbon line on a baitcaster with a one ounce weight, swivel and then a much lighter line for the leader.  What do you guys think of this setup?  Is it something I should try or should I set it up differently?  Any suggestions?

[Bama55]

Check this thread out, it should help you...

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1120348381

[Frank19]

That's a great thread however I noticed most guys are using 14-20 test line.  The guy on the Bass Pros show I was watching made a few good points about using 50 lb fluorocarbon line.  He was saying that because fluorocarbon does not stretch like braid you can feel the bottom more accurately.  He also said using a heavier main line will help you save your weight and swivel if it gets caught up because most likely you will just break your lighter leader line and only loose your hook and plastic.  So do you think that this is a good setup to start with my first time C-rigging?  Should I try something else instead?  Is 50 lb fluorocarbon really too heavy?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I think you may have some wrong info....the fluoro will actually stretch, not the braid.

50lb fluoro is HUGE, to say the least. You would need a serious reel to hold a decent amount of line.

I am not an expert, just started C rigging last year. But I did use braid without any problems.

Wayne

[Frank19]

Good to know.  Maybe I just heard him wrong.  I could have swore he said use fluoro instead of braid.  I'm still very much a newbie to bass fishing so I still don't know a lot about the differences between lines.  What would you suggest then for my line setup for my first time c-rigging?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Like I said, not an expert. I can only give ya what I was using, seemed to work just fine for what I was doing.

7' MH rod, 6.3:1 reel, 30lb spiderwire stealth, 12lb leader

varied between 1/2 and 3/4 oz weights using trick worms, brush hogs and lizards.

Wayne

[Frank19]

Ok, thanks for the help  

[Frank19]

I've been reading through a bunch of other threads and you are right...I must be remembering what he said backwards.  It would make sense to use 50lb braid with much lighter fluorocarbon as the leader.  Sorry for the confusion.

[huskertko]

I've been reading through a bunch of other threads and you are right...I must be remembering what he said backwards.  It would make sense to use 50lb braid with much lighter fluorocarbon as the leader.  Sorry for the confusion.

The show I think that you are refering to is the one with Edwin Evers fishing the C-rig on a power plant lake.  He said he likes Floro instead of braid for C-Rigs because the braid will tend to float whereas the floro will sink, so his line is in a straight path from the rod tip to the bait.  This results in better feel as well as a better hookset because he is not having to take up much slack when he sets the hook.

[bassmaster8100]

Ive been C riggin for alot of year, its my go to bait. In my opinion its the most versatile bait you can fish with. I vary with the length of the leader depending on the water situation. I fish mine on an Abu Garcia baitcaster with a 7 ft MH action rod. I rig it with 25lb flouro with 15lb leader, 1/2 ounce weight. This is the setup that works for me and has for alot of years.

[Grey Wolf]

Each to their own but I use braid with a leader of flouro . Definately less stretch.

[Wayne P.]

I disagree with Edwin Evers analysis of the use of braid when Carolina rigging. While it does float when not under tension, it is smaller per pound test than any mono including fluorocarbon and has less water resistance. When Carolina rigging, the line is under tension all the time due to dragging of the weight. Carolina rigging is not a slack line presentation that would preclude the use of slightly floating braid. Another thing, the braids float as compared to monos but even the slightest tension will pull it under the surface. The weight of a bare hook will pull it under. Even mono will float due to surface tension if not prewetted or weighted. Try it sometime, just throw a couple of feet of dry mono overboard and watch it float. Have you ever gotten mono line around your trolling motor shaft or OB propeller shaft-someone discarded some line and it didn't sink.  Don't leave it there though, LOL. As far a leader material, I use fluorocarbon with lures that I want to keep close to the bottom. I use regular mono when I don't want a bottom hugging presentation or I want a slower fall especially fishing in weeds.

[VAbacklash]

I guess I'm "old school" if there is such a thing where Carolina rig fishing is concerned. I use an Abu Garcia 5500 C3 reel spooled with clear/blue 17 pound test Stren mono and 6 & 1/2 ft. Shimano heavy action trigger handle rod. I use coated wire leader, that I make myself, that has glass beads, brass bullet sinker and noise maker. To this I attach a 14lb. leader about three feet long with swivels and with a 3/0 or 4/0 Owner offset worm hook. Wally World has a wire sinker rig similar to what I make that is called a"Clacker" that would work just as well.

The are many variations as to how and what rig you need to fish Carolina rig style. Some times we fishermen tend to make things more complicated than they need be. I consider the way I rig my stuff to be pretty basic and simple. My point is: try the basics first and then refine it to your likeings. That way you wont have a ton of money tied up into something that doesn't work for you.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I guess I'm "old school" if there is such a thing where Carolina rig fishing is concerned. I use an Abu Garcia 5500 C3 reel spooled with clear/blue 17 pound test Stren mono and 6 & 1/2 ft. Shimano heavy action trigger handle rod. I use coated wire leader, that I make myself, that has glass beads, brass bullet sinker and noise maker. To this I attach a 14lb. leader about three feet long with swivels and with a 3/0 or 4/0 Owner offset worm hook. Wally World has a wire sinker rig similar to what I make that is called a"Clacker" that would work just as well.

The are many variations as to how and what rig you need to fish Carolina rig style. Some times we fishermen tend to make things more complicated than they need be. I consider the way I rig my stuff to be pretty basic and simple. My point is: try the basics first and then refine it to your likeings. That way you wont have a ton of money tied up into something that doesn't work for you.

Exactly what he said. Most baits, as many know, are all about confidence. VAbacklash has confidence in his "old school" (as he calls it  ) setup, and others have stated what their preferences are. Whatever you decide to use, make sure you are confident that you are going to get on fish, no matter what.

Good luck.

Wayne

[Frank19]

I went down to Gander Mountain to buy everything I needed for a Carolina rig and I got to talking with the pro staff guy there.  He told me to go with an adjustable weight system instead.  I wish I could remember the name...I don't have the package here at work.  Basically it is a long tube weight that you put the line through and then pull a type of black rubber through the weight.  It allows you to slide the weight up and down the line but it won't slide on it's own when fishing it.  He said that this was the best way to fish the Carolina type rig around here because most of the water is clear enough that you don't need a clacker.  He also said it comes in handy when you want to try different leader lengths because you don't have to worry about cutting and re-tying knots.