Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 *I've always been curious about C-Rig leader length and what determines how long you make your leader ? Is it water temperature , activity level of the bass or some other reason(s) ? Thanks in advance ! Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 This is subjective on my part, but vegetation levels. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 13, 2021 Global Moderator Posted January 13, 2021 The length from the middle of my chest to my finger tips is what determines mine. 2 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 8 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: The length from the middle of my chest to my finger tips is what determines mine. There ya go. This provides a specific length, based on science and keeps it simple at tyhe same time. Now if we can get @J Francho to comment on this, I'm sure he could help. It's his favorite way to fish...? 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 Really, this all depends on your altitude. Time zone comes into play as well, though not as much. If you are two Mickey from the nearest waypoint, then I'd consider two beard-seconds for a leader. You will need a three donkey-power reel loaded with at least 100 wiffle of 15 pood line. I recommend one of the newer manymers from Polynesia. (PDM). For a sinker, unobtainium is the ticket. I've heard all the protests about it, but it's just a banana-equivalent dose of radioactivity, so suck it up and fish. Do all this, and you will be off the scale MegaFonzie. Oh, last step - I almost forgot: cut your line off before the swivel, and go fish a Texas Rig. 1 5 Quote
00bullitt Posted January 13, 2021 Posted January 13, 2021 I typically let the fish dictate. The more they suspend off the bottom, the longer the leader I use. 30" is my go to length typically, but I have thrown leaders up to twice as long. Bottom contour and vegetation play into that as well as the presentation of the plastic on the hook as sometimes I throw plastics that float. I've identified things in the past by mistake. I have broken off my hook on a 3' leader and tied back on with 16-18" just to expediently get back in the water and bites increased. Nothing hard and fast. I typically start with 30" and change according to what I see on my electronics. In the summer, I do well with big 12" worms on big 5/0 hooks and short 12" leaders down deep. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 Unless one is fishing it in vegetation or a floating bait which I do not , I dont see where a long leader is needed . It just makes it harder to detect strikes and set the hook . I use a one to two foot leader always . Quote
CountryboyinDC Posted January 13, 2021 Posted January 13, 2021 Inshore anglers use 7' leaders with good success. I will generally start at about 3' using a precise measuring instrument like @TnRiver46. If it doesn't get hung up, or worse, fish nibbling in the sinker/beads/swivel, I leave that length. If either of these things happens, I shorten the leader, I'd imagine to 18", but again no ruler or anything. I know some people that really catch them on Carolina rigs that go to the trouble of measuring them, though. Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 I have always used around 24 inches never had a problem . I like to throw it around crawdad beds. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 13, 2021 Global Moderator Posted January 13, 2021 33 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said: I have always used around 24 inches never had a problem . I like to throw it around crawdad beds. Like, mud? Under a rock? In a rice patty? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 12 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Like, mud? Under a rock? In a rice patty? 1 1 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 23 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: Like, mud? Under a rock? In a rice patty? Gravel and some rock. I use a Berkley chigger craw or a Rage Craw trailer. It works really good on our Rivers here in southwest Missouri 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 13, 2021 Global Moderator Posted January 13, 2021 3 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said: Gravel and some rock. I use a Berkley chigger craw or a Rage Craw trailer. It works really good on our Rivers here in southwest Missouri I love the c rig, I think it works everywhere. I had just never heard of a “crawfish bed.” I always understood that the female swims around with the eggs attached to her belly Quote
BassNJake Posted January 13, 2021 Posted January 13, 2021 10 hours ago, ChrisD46 said: *I've always been curious about C-Rig leader length and what determines how long you make your leader ? Is it water temperature , activity level of the bass or some other reason(s) ? Thanks in advance ! Rate of fall is usually the deciding factor for me. A longer leader allows for a slower rate of fall after the sinker hits. This varies on what type of plastic you stick on the back as well. I fished against a couple of brothers that used them all the time But they casted them out and slowly reeled them along the bottom and always used less than a foot They were very successful too 1 Quote
Super User GaryH Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 3 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: The length from the middle of my chest to my finger tips is what determines mine. Just great now I have to drive to Tn. to see how long my set up has to be. This technical stuff is killing me. 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 13, 2021 Global Moderator Posted January 13, 2021 20 minutes ago, GaryH said: Just great now I have to drive to Tn. to see how long my set up has to be. This technical stuff is killing me. Ha! And you have to come back everytime you break your line to re measure Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 I always start with about 2 foot and by time I retie a few times it gets down to about 14 lol. 1 Quote
Super User ChrisD46 Posted January 13, 2021 Author Super User Posted January 13, 2021 7 hours ago, J Francho said: Really, this all depends on your altitude. Time zone comes into play as well, though not as much. If you are two Mickey from the nearest waypoint, then I'd consider two beard-seconds for a leader. You will need a three donkey-power reel loaded with at least 100 wiffle of 15 pood line. I recommend one of the newer manymers from Polynesia. (PDM). For a sinker, unobtainium is the ticket. I've heard all the protests about it, but it's just a banana-equivalent dose of radioactivity, so suck it up and fish. Do all this, and you will be off the scale MegaFonzie. Oh, last step - I almost forgot: cut your line off before the swivel, and go fish a Texas Rig. Too funny ! 7 hours ago, J Francho said: Really, this all depends on your altitude. Time zone comes into play as well, though not as much. If you are two Mickey from the nearest waypoint, then I'd consider two beard-seconds for a leader. You will need a three donkey-power reel loaded with at least 100 wiffle of 15 pood line. I recommend one of the newer manymers from Polynesia. (PDM). For a sinker, unobtainium is the ticket. I've heard all the protests about it, but it's just a banana-equivalent dose of radioactivity, so suck it up and fish. Do all this, and you will be off the scale MegaFonzie. Oh, last step - I almost forgot: cut your line off before the swivel, and go fish a Texas Rig. Too funny ! ... My Elite Pro pal Mark Menendez just weighed in on the question - he says :15 inches to 7 foot C-Rig leader lengths ... It just depends . Well there you have it - I just gotta work out that "depends" part and then I'm good ! Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 25 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said: Too funny ! Too funny ! ... My Elite Pro pal Mark Menendez just weighed in on the question - he says :15 inches to 7 foot C-Rig leader lengths ... It just depends . Well there you have it - I just gotta work out that "depends" part and then I'm good ! 7ft? Um no... just a hassle to cast. I'll do 3 or 4 if I'm using a floating worm in places that have some vegetation..but 7...heck no 1 Quote
Sphynx Posted January 13, 2021 Posted January 13, 2021 I would need a whole new casting convention for a 7 foot leader, most people would find it to be more trouble (potentially painful as well) than it's worth to fool about with a leader that long, typically I like to start somewhere in the 18-24 inch range, if I have to go much longer than that I usually switch to something else that gets me higher in the water column, like a dropshot, and much shorter than that we are getting into Texas rig territory. Quote
Super User RoLo Posted January 13, 2021 Super User Posted January 13, 2021 What Determines C-Rig Leader Length? I do Roger 1 1 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted January 14, 2021 Super User Posted January 14, 2021 8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: I love the c rig, I think it works everywhere. I had just never heard of a “crawfish bed.” I always understood that the female swims around with the eggs attached to her belly There large flats were they hang in the summer Don’t know if bed was the right term but when there in there . The bass are too 1 Quote
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted January 14, 2021 Global Moderator Posted January 14, 2021 2 minutes ago, bowhunter63 said: There large flats were they hang in the summer Don’t know if bed was the right term but when there in there . The bass are too Sounds pretty fun, I’m going to try to find some similar areas . Quote
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