Carolina Rig & Floating Trout Worm

[Michael Loebbaka]

Hi all. So I’m wondering if a Carolina Rig + a floating trout worm would work for bank fishing.
 

I recently just started using the Carolina as a new rig for bank fishing catfish with shrimp and letting it sit. I’m using a 1oz weight and mono line, so I’m wondering if using a floating trout worm will work by letting it sit on the bottom.
 

My concerns are that the worm will just sit flat on the bottom and not float above the ground to give a little action for the trout. I’m hoping since I’m using mono line it may float a tad without reeling my rod. I attached a picture of the rig I’m using and how I have the worm hooked.
 

The worm is exactly as shown. No weighted ball jig since I’m using a 1 oz egg sinker on the rig.

[Bluebasser86]

Do this with a nightcrawler and use a worm blower to inflate part of the worm with air to keep it floating off the bottom. 

 

If you're set on using the trout worm, use a cylinder foam float like what is used for walleye rigs in front of the worm. 

[TnRiver46]

Sure looks like it would work but I’ve never tried it. I didn’t even get my trout stamp this year, but I still can at anytime. I saw some

guys on YouTube catch trout with cut threadfin shad on a similar rig recently 

[spokey9]

Are you fishing in current?

[Michael Loebbaka]

On 5/30/2021 at 3:55 PM, spokey9 said:

Are you fishing in current?

no current. Just one of my local city lakes.

[islandbass]

If the worm is buoyant, then you have no problems. Fish as you intended. The challenge will, however figuring out the appropriate leader length. 
 

For example, in my home lake, if your leader  isn’t at least 8’ long, you can forget about it. The trout ain’t going see your offering. Other nearby lakes and the length changes to like 5’ long. 
 

That looks a lot like the worms we use in my neck of the woods for steelhead. The Carolina is a universal set up. It has the potential to catch just about any species if the offering is right.