Carolina Rig Setup

[Tyler j]

This rig is on fire around here during the hot summer months & I have never thrown it. I want to get a Duckett Ghost 7'3 Heavy but I don't know if it will handle the one or two ounce rigs plus the hard hook sets

I also want to throw big football jigs 3/4 - 1 ounce. I also don't think my usual Pro qualifier will have enough strength( don't want to burn it up ) Please Help Thank BR

[catch anything]

from what iv heard ducketts fish lighter than what their rated but you might to talk to other guys about it I do know they have a soft tip

[Tyler j]

I know that the Ducketts have the softer tip I really like it I will try it out before I buy it also looking at the 7'6 extra heavy

[iabass8]

I don't know how you are going to "burn up" your PQ using an open water presentation like the c-rig or football jigs. The reel will be just fine...All you are really doing /w these presentations and the reel is taking up slack line. The rod in my opinion is much more important of a factor. 2oz is a massive weight for a carolina rig. I don't recall the last time i've gone over 1oz.  A rod used for a 2oz bait isn't a rod I'd want to fish football jigs on if that makes sense. As for Duckett rods, i have no idea. They don't list their line/lure ratings.

[Tyler j]

Thanks I know the Pro Qualifer reels are solid that's about all I use I was just asking because dad burnt one up last year doing it I guess stopping that heavy rig burnt it up and yes 2 oz is extreme thanks for the info

[BigKev77]

I don't fish much deep water(over 15ft) on my home fishery so 1/2 to 3/4 is as much weight as I like to use. You want to have enough weight to keep it on the bottom. Use that bottom contact to tell you what is down there. That is the best thing about the c rig. Deeper water, more current, wind causing waves you might want to go 1oz to 1.5. I can't imagine 2oz..

 

A heavy is plenty and you can get away with a med heavy. I don't think you ever need an extra heavy rod unless you are fishing something like the weeds at Okeechobee. I don't know what guys are throwing their big A rigs on maybe they use an extra heavy.

 

Listen to ibass8 on using the rod to move the rig and not the reel. You will miss a lot of bites using the reel to pull the lure. I drag the bait with a side sweep and not a lift. I feel like that keeps the weight on the bottom. Might not, but I feel good about it so that's all that matters, lol.

[Tyler j]

So basically fish it like a big football jig? Drag it a little pick up slack repeat real real slow

[ChrisD46]

What BigKev77 said !!

Carolina weights used can be from 3/8oz. to 1oz. with 1/2oz. the most often all around weight used .

Until you know for sure what you want in a rod (as well as gain some experience) consider buying a BPS MH Graphite Series 7'6" telescoping rod and load the BPS PQ with 40lb. braid , 12lb Big Game mono leader using a 1/2oz. steel egg sinker from WM , finish with a 2/0 ~ 3/0 EWG Gama hook and rig with a Zoom GP finesse worm or Baby Brush Hog ... You can succeed VERY nicely with this rig while keeping costs down (again , until you know what features you specifically want in a rod ?)

[TJS209]

I use the 7'6" heavy duckett for carolina rig and 3/4oz football jig.  Works great for it.

[BigKev77]

So basically fish it like a big football jig? Drag it a little pick up slack repeat real real slow

Speed depends on what the fish want. Just experiment with it. When I fish it I start out pointing at the bait and sweep my rod to the side about 90 degrees, reel in the slack and start again. I can't say I ever go REAL slow but like I said before I do want to feel what it is dragging over. Just try different stuff. I enjoy trying new stuff so have fun with it and let us know how you do.

 

Don't go too big on the plastic you choose. Not that they won't hit a big bait back there but it just seems like the stuff on the smaller side gets the most bites. A stick bait (senko, yum dinger) is a dang good c-rig bait.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

You can go heavier with a C-rig weight than what you'd use for a jig without affecting your bait's action and keep constant contact with the bottom. 1/2-1oz should be plenty in most cases. I like floating lizards, Ikas, and flukes but the sky's the limit if you want to experiment.

[Tyler j]

I really like the Ducketts actions and quality I will pick a 7'3 up in the next couple weeks. What do you guys use for leader line mono or fluro dad told me it does matter

[Munkin]

I do not see the need for a 2oz weight? Generally I just use a 1/2 to 3/4oz egg sinker and can fish from 3 to 40' with this setup. Rod length depends on leader length as the longer rods make casting a longer leader easier. Carolina rig fishing is simple just get a few soft plastics that you have confidence in and a 2' mono leader and start dragging away.

 

Allen

[rangerjockey]

Here on Table rock I use 1/2 to 3/4 oz. I,ve gotten away from using the swivel and leader deal and just use a carolina keeper with the weight and a bead. I like the fish dr, baby brush hog and lizard.