Carolina Rig Mainline + Leader ?

[ChrisD46]

*Wondering what you are currently using as a Carolina Rig mainline + leader ? Line type , size , etc. and do you use a mono or co-poly leader to help float the soft plastic you are using ?

[mrpao]

I know everybody like something different and much of it depends on the lake you fish.

My lakes are generally not super clear so I use a braid main line. Usually about 30 lbs braid to a 15 lbs fluro or mono leader. Despite what you hear, unless you have a floating type bait, the leader is not going to float your bait. It usually just drags on the bottom behind the sinker. I have tested it in my swimming pool.

[Wildbillb]

Straight mono here.  Typically 12 or 14 pound

[ChrisD46]

OP here : I have gravel and rocks in the highland reservoir I fish so was thinking something like #15 lb. AbrazX mainline and #10 lb. P-Line  C-XX  co-poly leader using Z-man finesse worms or a Z-man StreakZ fluke . I could also probably use a variety of Zoom soft plastics too (may not matter so much on a C-Rig) .

[ohboyitsrobby]

I throw 15-20lb fluoro to a 12 lbs mono leader. I also fish a highland reservoir with lots of gravel and shell beds and such. You should be fine with what you're thinking. Cxx is pretty stout for it's lb rating.

[ChrisD46]

15 hours ago, ohboyitsrobby said:

I throw 15-20lb fluoro to a 12 lbs mono leader. I also fish a highland reservoir with lots of gravel and shell beds and such. You should be fine with what you're thinking. Cxx is pretty stout for it's lb rating.

Thanks - I have #12 lb. C-XX I can also use as a leader .

[evo2s197]

On 5/1/2020 at 3:13 AM, mrpao said:

Despite what you hear, unless you have a floating type bait, the leader is not going to float your bait. It usually just drags on the bottom behind the sinker. I have tested it in my swimming pool.

This is true, I just Use straight 14 lb Sunline Structure Flourocarbon with two Carolina keepers no leader less points of failure.

[jbrew73]

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.  Never used them again.  The line  was dry but I figured if I got hung there was a possibility of damage so I didn’t trust them.

[garroyo130]

4 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.

My experience too. I have also noticed that they are the weakest link as breakoffs when using them happen at the keeper. 

 

I have since switched to peg bobber stops and havent looked back.

[Todd2]

On 5/2/2020 at 12:17 PM, jbrew73 said:

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.  Never used them again.  The line  was dry but I figured if I got hung there was a possibility of damage so I didn’t trust them.

I've gone back to braid w/ swivel and a mono leader. The keepers work ok but once you hang up and it slides on the line a few times it seems more prone to random breaks on the sweep. I lost a couple like that last year so I'm back to prerigging leaders around a pool noodle for quick reties on the water. Braid w/ steel egg weights and I feel everything.