Carolina Rig Setups

[Zach Dunham]

I'm looking to start using the Carolina rig more later this summer and into the fall once the fish move down. The lakes I fish up here in Pennsylvania (Lake Wallenpaupack mostly) just do not produce with a crankbait. The fish seem to always like the slower "finesse-ier" baits.

 

Just curious as to people's most common setups (weight size, leader length, hook size, bait, line weight, etc..). Any information I can get would be awesome!

[Teal]

Hook size varies for me depending on lure. Anywhere from 1/0 to 4/0. My setup varies but the following is my average.

50lbs braid, 3/4 oz tungsten barrell, 2ft leader of 12 lb Sunline SNIPER, 3/0 worm hook with zoom trick worm, or 7inch robo worm.

If im trying to keep my lure up and floating, ill switch to 15+ mono

This is a good set up, but take it with a grain of salt. Other than my crankin/topwater rods, i use braid and i mainly use two sizes, 30 and 50, one of my flipping sticks doubles as a c rig rod. This is convienent for me and it is still a good set up. I like the length of the flipping stick to really get a long cast with my c rigs.

[mtaag3]

I'm a new guy so take this for what you paid for it. But I am having fun with the C rig. I take a 3/4 oz worm weight due to it's bullet shape and then put a bead or two along with one of those brass rings behind it. I then use a Carolina Keeper and then tie the hook on. The nice thing about it is the Carolina Keeper allows you to change the length of the leader any time and the worm weight doesn't get hung up (or at least it hasn't for me yet knock on wood).

 

Just my opinion

[airborne_angler]

If you prefer the traditional 3 knot set up (one knot at each end of the swivel and one knot at the hook) and just like many,you prefer using a Palomar knot exclusively please be advised that to properly tie the C-rig in this manner,with these knots you MUST tie your leader to your swivel BEFORE tying on the mainline to the swivel. This is ONLY if you want to use all PALOMAR knots. Trust me on this...if you tie your mainline to your swivel first, then tie a Palomar knot with your leader to your swivel...its not gonna happen. Try it...you'll understand.Jist a little tip I learned along the way.Hope this helps.

Oh and be mindful of "sinker strikes" where the fish clobbers your sinker repeatedly.Had one yesterday smack at it over and over,pecking at it, and e entually it pickrd it up and made a run, went to set the hook, NOTHING"...as soon as the sinker settled...the fish hammered it again a couple of times...can get really annoying...this was my first atempt at using a Brass sinker...I'm going to do like was suggested in another post...I'm gonna try a Carolina Slider from Mojo Weights.

[annexation]

Been there on the all palomar knot c-rig - been there, and felt like a total doof. I've learned my lesson.

[eyedabassman]

I love the C-rig in the summer on deep weed lines! I throw a 3/4 to 1 oz.tungston weight on 50lb. braid with a fluo.leader.The Carolina Keeper is very cool like the other had posted but you will get line twist.The knot I use all the time is the SD jam knot!

[backcast88]

I prefer a lighter/finesse Carolina Rig. 

 

I stick to 1/4-3/8 oz weights, preferably Tungsten, but will use 1/2 oz on rare occasions.  For hooks, either 1/0 or 2/0 offset round bend depending on my baits.  The only time I use EWG hooks is when I use flukes or anything thicker then a Baby Brush Hog.  I have 12 lb fluoro main line and 10 lb mono/co-poly leader, usually 18"-24".  I use a 6mm bead, pastic or glass doesn't seem to make a difference for me, and a no. 6 Spro power swivel.  I always use the San Diego Jam Knot for all 3 knots. 

[The Next KVD]

Rod: 7'6" MH St.Croix Legend Tournament Bass

Reel: Shimano Curado E7

Line: 50lb Suffix 832 braid

Sinker: 1/2 oz Tungsten barrel weight but I go up to 3/4 in water deeper than 15ft, and 1 oz in heavy wind

Leader: 15lb P-Line 100% Fluorocarbon  (2-3ft)

Hook: 1/0-4/0 Gamakatsu EWG

Bait: My go to is a Brush Hog but a PowerTeam Lures Gator is a close second.  Really any soft plastic works.

[Fishes in trees]

I don't C-rig very muck, but when I do I've got a rig that I like for it.  Fenwick 7' MH Spinning rod with a US Reels 240 Supercaster, spooled with 30 lb braid.  I like a 3/4 oz weight to a ball bearing swivel and a 2 foot (more or less) fluorocarbon leader.  This rig has virtually unlimited casting distance and wind isn't much of an issue.  Retrieve is always the same - rod tip down, drag a few feet, pause and retrieve line - repeat.  You can reliably set the hook at 100 feet or so with this rig.  (Note to self - always, i.e. ALWAYS, hook set to the side, not over your shoulder)

 

I really don't like the Carolina Keepers, because I think that they help cause line twist and I think that they will slip just when you don't want them to.

[Grantman83]

Dx mike long jig rod

Zillion 50th Anniversary high speed

17lb sniper fluoro with 15lb leader...

4/0 EWG and a creature bait whether it be a lizard, hawg or big worm etc..

Need a long rod for long casts/deep water hooksets. Fast reel for line pick up

[Loop_Dad]

I do c-rig from bank during colder months. I use 50 lb braid to swivel and the flouro leader maybe 2ft long depending on water clarity. I use 1/2 oz mojo weight or walker sinker, sometimes heavier. I like this set up because, these sinkers seem to get snagged less than other type of sinkers, and if they did get snagged, I have better chance of yanking them free because of the braid up to the swivel. Hooks, depends on the bait.

[WRB]

I mainly use the slip shot rig or as it has become known as the finesse C-rig. This is a scaled down C-rig and doesn't use any swivels or multiple knots to fail.

The slip shot rig is make up around the mojo style tubular shaped sliding weight, a tempered faceted glass bead, a rubber Peg-It or Carolina plastic keeper and light wire hook.

For spinning outfit the line is light 6 to 8 lb FC, 1/8 to 3/16 oz lead mojo or brass Pro-Jo weight, 8mm bead, Peg-It II rubber pegs, size 1or 1/0 Owner #5133 hook.

For baitcasting I use 12 lb FC, 3/16 to 1/2 oz Pro-Jo black brass weight, 8mm bead, Peg-It II and Owner #5133 size 1/0 or Gamakatsu #011 size 3/0 hook.

Spinning for smaller finesse worms 4" to 6" or 3" reapers and grubs.

Casting for larger worms and creatures and Hula style grubs.

You can easily change the "leader" length by adjusting the pegged glass bead or Carolina keeper.

Strikes are easier to detect with this rig and you rarely snag the rig so badly that you break it off.

This is an excellent rig to teach bass fishing to inexperienced anglers or just catching numbers of bass.

Tom

PS; the Yamamoto single or double tail 4" Hula grub is an excellent post spawn rig, looks like a small bit size school of fry.

[merc1997]

i rarely use the traditional c-rig. instead, i use a three way set up. i have used it for years, and all of my friends have converted to it. you use a three way swivel. to one ring attach the main line. to one ring attach a short drop with weight. on this drop, i do not just use weight. i use a slip sinker and jig. on the last ring, tie your leader and hook. this set up is easier to throw, easier to detect strike, and a much better set up to set the hook. if you are confused on how to rig this, pm me and i will send you some you tube links that i did on the set up and how to use it.

bo