Carolina Rigging In Summer

[TWMstr]

When Carolina rigging in med/heavy cover what type of line should I use? Whether it be mono, braid, or flouro. Braided main with flouro leader? Plain flouro? Had pretty bad experiences with mono since I've started Carolina rigging. Seems to stretch way too much. Have a lot of break offs too. Just to give you guys an idea of what gear I'm using I've listed it below. Help me figure out what I should use, or what I should change up.

Abu Garcia Black Max Med/Heavy 7' Rod

Abu Garcia Black Max 6:4.1 LowPro Reel

SpiderWire 10lb Ultracast Mono

[B@ssCrzy]

I always use braid for my mainline and use 14lb mono berkley XT for my leader.  I like braid because of the no stretch factor and the mono because it floats.  Used to use 12lb mono for my leader and then lost couple good fish with break-offs and so upped it to 14lb.  Have not had a problem since.  Love braid for the sensitivity and because it gives me confidence that I don't have to worry about missing fish b/c I can't get a solid hookset. Hope this helps. 

[(='_'=)]

I always use braid for my mainline and use 14lb mono berkley XT for my leader.  I like braid because of the no stretch factor and the mono because it floats.  Used to use 12lb mono for my leader and then lost couple good fish with break-offs and so upped it to 14lb.  Have not had a problem since.  Love braid for the sensitivity and because it gives me confidence that I don't have to worry about missing fish b/c I can't get a solid hookset. Hope this helps. 

 

and dont you loose sensitivity because of the mono?? i have been debating the same questions as i want to try C rig for the first time this season... for T rig i use braid with a 12# fluoro leader, but for C rig i dont know...

[B@ssCrzy]

and dont you loose sensitivity because of the mono?? i have been debating the same questions as i want to try C rig for the first time this season... for T rig i use braid with a 12# fluoro leader, but for C rig i dont know...

 

No I don't think so.  I think since the braid is the main line you feel everything that the bottom sinker comes into contact with in a much more defined way and with the mono only being a short run your are not going to get the loss of sensitivity that you would if your whole mainline is mono.  At least that has been my experience.

[bigbill]

I use excaliber silver thread 12lb test copolymere line. I lost too many good sized bass using mono.

[papajoe222]

I echo the braid mainline and mono leader approach. as B@ss Crazy said, you don't loose much, if any sensitivity over that the short length. I prefer Stren Big Game or High impact as they are larger diameter lines. Don't forget guys, the longer the leader you're using, the longer your rod sweep needs to be on the hookset. I learned that lesson the hard way...lost fish.

[Sam]

Depends on what is on the bottom.

 

Lots of structure that will tear up your line and snag your bait or a flat sand bottom with some grass here and there.

 

I go with your rod and reel set up but would rather throw a 15 to 17-pound test fluorocarbon line and leader.

[TWMstr]

I always use braid for my mainline and use 14lb mono berkley XT for my leader.  I like braid because of the no stretch factor and the mono because it floats.  Used to use 12lb mono for my leader and then lost couple good fish with break-offs and so upped it to 14lb.  Have not had a problem since.  Love braid for the sensitivity and because it gives me confidence that I don't have to worry about missing fish b/c I can't get a solid hookset. Hope this helps.

  

and dont you loose sensitivity because of the mono?? i have been debating the same questions as i want to try C rig for the first time this season... for T rig i use braid with a 12# fluoro leader, but for C rig i dont know...

  

I use excaliber silver thread 12lb test copolymere line. I lost too many good sized bass using mono.

  

I echo the braid mainline and mono leader approach. as B@ss Crazy said, you don't loose much, if any sensitivity over that the short length. I prefer Stren Big Game or High impact as they are larger diameter lines. Don't forget guys, the longer the leader you're using, the longer your rod sweep needs to be on the hookset. I learned that lesson the hard way...lost fish.

Decided to try this set up. Gonna try it out tomorrow. 30lb / 8lb dia. Braid , 15lb fluorocarbon leader. Thanks for the advice guys. Truly hope this works against all the line stretch and break offs. Tired of losing fish due to stretched mono.

[Loop_Dad]

I use 50lb / 65 lb braid with flouro leader. I just use this size braid because I do share my reel with other use. I use mojo style weight or recently trying out the walker type weight which seem to get snagged less.

 

I noticed your title was Carolina rigging in Summer. But me, I do this more in winter in deeper water.

[webertime]

Riggin' is a way of life up here.  Braid to a Mono leader is standard, the mono leader is 2-6 feet.  Such a short length of mono isn't going to have a noticible change in sensitivity, especially with a big sinker ahead of it banging around anyway.

[TWMstr]

I use 50lb / 65 lb braid with flouro leader. I just use this size braid because I do share my reel with other use. I use mojo style weight or recently trying out the walker type weight which seem to get snagged less.

 

I noticed your title was Carolina rigging in Summer. But me, I do this more in winter in deeper water.

 

That's the thing though, bass head to shallow water for the winter for the warmth. They go to deeper water in the summer for cooler water. 

[TWMstr]

Riggin' is a way of life up here.  Braid to a Mono leader is standard, the mono leader is 2-6 feet.  Such a short length of mono isn't going to have a noticible change in sensitivity, especially with a big sinker ahead of it banging around anyway.

 

Mono is my problem. When fishing heavy cover on the bottom, mono stretches way too much. That's why I keep losing fish.

[webertime]

Mono is my problem. When fishing heavy cover on the bottom, mono stretches way too much. That's why I keep losing fish.

Are you using EWG or Offset worm hooks? That choice can make a huge difference.

[Bluebasser86]

Mono is my problem. When fishing heavy cover on the bottom, mono stretches way too much. That's why I keep losing fish.

If you just use mono for a leader it won't stretch very much at all and won't cause you to lose fish. I go with 50lb braid and a 15lb fluoro leader. 

 

That's the thing though, bass head to shallow water for the winter for the warmth. They go to deeper water in the summer for cooler water. 

Must be nice. Our bass head deep for winter for the warmer water, come shallow for a month or so in the spring and fall, then they're back deep during the summer for cooler water.