Carolina Rigging

[Skeeter10]

What gear ratio and rod set up would you guys run for carolina rigging? I tried looking it up online and it doesn't really give you a specific ratio or rod to use. Any help would be appreciated.

[Bruce424]

6.4:1 or higher.when ya feel a hit, ya wanna reel until the rod loads up then sweep hookset. That 6.4 or higher will help ya out with quickly reeling up slack.

[RB 77]

I use a 7:1 with a M/H or H rod. I like 7' rods for most applications including the C Rig.

[Choporoz]

...........

[BrianinMD]

c-rig is an method that the rod is used impart action on the bait. The reel only acts for casting, reel in and keeping up with a fighting fish so a high speed reel is going to help.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

7'-7'6" Hvy/F  6 or 7:x reel of your choice spooled with 50# braid to a 3/4 oz barrel weight, bead, quality swivel, 18-24" of 12# fluoro or heavier for added abrasion resistance, ending with a 3-0 J bend worm hook and a purple floating lizard. 

[kickerfish1]

Typically I am fishing c-rigs deeper. In doing so I may have a good bit of line out at times. To aid in a better hookset I prefer a faster reel like 7:0.1 ratio to pick up that slack and be able to set the hook.

[kikstand454]

Pretty much what DVT said.

I throw the c-rig ALOT. My personal set up this year ( new reel) is:

7'6" mh/f shimano crucial

6.3:1 bps proqual reel

15# yozuri hybrid ultrasoft mint green.

Sampo swivels. ..sometimes Spro.

Green glass beads from craft section of store.

3/4-1oz cylindrical weight

3/0 hook

Favorite bait - zoom trick worm.

[webertime]

Pretty much what DVT said.

I throw the c-rig ALOT. My personal set up this year ( new reel) is:

7'6" mh/f shimano crucial

6.3:1 bps proqual reel

15# yozuri hybrid ultrasoft mint green.

Sampo swivels. ..sometimes Spro.

Green glass beads from craft section of store.

3/4-1oz cylindrical weight

3/0 hook

Favorite bait - zoom trick worm.

 

Ditto...

Lamiglas Excel 735

Shimano Citica E

Seaguar Abrazx 20lb

Mojo/Phenix Weight (1oz)

Spro swivel

3-6' of Suffix Siege for a leader

3/0 regular offset worm hook

[96ecss]

Here are 2 great videos about the Carolina Rig.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/carolina-rig-video.html

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/carolina-rig-how-to.html

 

Dave

[Fishes in trees]

I don't rig very much, mostly because I'm not very confident in it.   I've changed my C-rig gear several times over the past decade and a half.  Currently I'm using a seven and a half foot  MH, extra fast tip spinning rod a 4000 size Shimano reel and a 50 lb braid/fluorocarbon leader.   I have NO trouble throwing a half or 3/4 oz weight as far as I want with it and like other people have mentioned, you only use the reel to store line, all the bait action is caused by dragging with the rod tip.  The few bites I've gotten, there haven't been any issues keeping up with the fish with the spinning reel - I think that it is a 5 something to one ratio.   Mostly, it is just that the waters I fish aren't real conducive to C-rigging, so I don't do it very much.

[DTack]

7'6-8' rod with the fastest reel I have.  I like to be able to pick up as much line as possible using a long rod and fast reel and once a fish is hooked (my style is) keep as much pressure on the fish as possible which becomes a lot more work with a slower reel.  I will cast the rig a lot or drag it and have a lot of line out.  There are a lot of times that a fish eats and comes directly at the boat, if I can keep my rod loaded up I have a lot better odds of the fish staying hooked.  Just my experiences here. 

[Skeeter10]

Thanks for the input everyone!