Carolina Rig Breaking Off In Rocks

[Gaerith]

I went finish today and ran into this problem. I have never broken off on a Carolina rig before and I did it 3x today on some big rocks, once at the leader and twice I lost everything. Has anyone else experienced this? I am thinking either I should T rig around big rocks or my swivels/knots are weak.

I had it set up like this: bullet weight, bead, swivel on 10 lb braid, then 10 lb fluoro to hook. Knots were Palomar, imp clinch, palomar.

I hope there is a work around because I seem to have better luck Carolina rigging bank fishing over Texas rigging.

[jeb2]

When you're in the rocks, you're going to lose rigs. T-rigs and C-rigs alike. All we fish on Table Rock and Beaver Lake here in the Ozark Mt's are rocks, and losing c-rigs is part of the game. I have a bunch pre-rigged and on bait keepers (from Northland Tackle) so I can retie quickly. It's not unusual for me to break off 2-3 times a day. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But it's just part of the game. I've found Mojo weights to come through the rocks better than anything else, and they're pretty reasonably priced. I never use tungsten weights around here. Gets pricey REAL fast!

 

I spent my summer fishing up in Wisc on a natural lake, and didn't hardly ever lose a rig. So it just depends on the lake, more than anything else.

[webertime]

Sounds like they were doing what they should in rock.

[Todd2]

I've found Mojo weights to come through the rocks better than anything else, and they're pretty reasonably priced.

I don't always throw c-rigs, but when I do I use mojo.

[WRB]

Why 10 lb braid? Must be fishing a spinning reel! Braid isn't that good in sharp rocks and dragging a bullet weight can wedge into rocky crevices. You might want to consider a finesse C-rig, don't use a swivel or braid and go with 8 to 10lb FC line. Top Brass Pro-Jo weight is harder and larger than a lead weight, the hole doesn't pinch closed in rocks, slides through well. Use the glass bead as a weight stopper by pegging it or use a Carlonia Keeper stopper. Tie the hook directly onto the main line, 1 knot.

The old egg sinker will also go through rocks fairly good, better than a bullet weight, you might want to give the egg sinker a try.

Tom

PS, what weight sinker are you trying to use?

[Gaerith]

Yep, its on a spinning reel. I'm using 3/8 oz weights. For bottom setups I use my spinning rod because the rod is waaaay more sensitive than the rod on my baitcaster (which has 12 lb yo zuri fluoro on it). I can't feel a thing on my baitcaster rod.

Thank you for all the feedback! I have always been curious about the Carolina keepers so I might play with those first.

[WRB]

Try a 1/4 oz egg sinker weight with that 10 lb braid (2 lb test dia) should still cast a long distance and stay out of the rocks better. I use Pro-Jo's painted black in 1/8 and 3/16 oz with 6 to 8 lb FC, spinning tackle, works good. When the weight finds rocks, hold the rod high over head and shake it free.

Tom

[NBR]

I use bullet weights but put them on backwards so the point doesn't wedge in the rocks which are at least 90% of the cover where I fish. If I'm stuck I get to the back side and 99% of the time the backwards weight pops out.

[Comfortably Numb]

Go to 30# main line.

[motodmast]

you should be able to feel the rod loading up when the weight starts to get stuck, when this happens, lift your whole rod up up as high as you can, not just the tip, and shake it a bit, this should free the weight and then continue to fish, i do that when i feel the rod loading up a bit and get it free 99% of the time.

[bigbill]

I mainly use a 1/8 ounce brass bullet weight on my c rigs in up to 10' of water. With a eagle claw weedless hook. I never lost any c rig yet to date. Has anyone tried those meatless weights yet? I purchased some but I never tried then yet. I think there called Lindy Snagless weights.