Beginner Carolina Rig

[wilsonm1]

hey, what are the basic carolina rig componets for a a beginner rig i can fine tune them later when i start catching fish with it.

and also some helpful tips for a beginner.

[Bankbeater]

Read the articles on this web site .

[roadwarrior]

This will help, but we also have a number

of articles in the BassResource.com library

("Fishing Articles" at the top of the page):

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1120348381

8-)

[moby bass]

Bassproshops sells a carolina rig shortcut.  Never used it but have considered getting it next time I order.  Looks like it would save a lot of time and effort.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_15792_100010003_100000000_100010000_100-10-3

[Sam]

Some suggestions by the numbers.

1.  Use a baitcaster and a 6'6" or 7' medium heavy fiberglass rod. You may want to go with a heavy rod if you are fishing very deep or in heavy structure.

2.  Use extra tough flouro line as you will be on the bottom. You may want to use 17 pound test or braid.  Personal preference.

3.  Tie swivel onto your line using a Palamor Knot.

4.  Pull off enough line after you tie on the swivel so you will have enough line for your leader which will be attached back to the swivel.

5.  Cut the line after you pull off the amount for your leader and now you have the swivel and the line (12 to 24 inches) in your hand.

6.  Place your tungston weight and then a glass bead on the line going towards your reel.

6.  Tie the swivel back onto the main line via a Palamor Knot.  You will have to pull all of the leader line through the loop. The tungston weight and the glass bead will now be in place above the swivel and the leader line will be hanging from the swivel.

7.  You now have your line attached to the swivel so estimate how much leader you want and tie on your extra wide gap hook via a Palamor Knot.

You now have three Palamor Knots that will not break off.

Or, you can use a heavier test for your leader if you wish in lieu of using the same line for your leader. Personal choice.

When rigging your creature and lizzard baits consider putting the EWG hook in the side of the bait to give it a different look.

Tungston weights are expensive but you will be able to feel what is on the bottom so much better.

If you do not want to do all of this then use a Carolina Keeper which will keep the weight and glass bead in place up your line to create a leader. The Carolina Keeper will move so you will have to check on it during fishing and move it back into place if it moves.

Be sure to have a black swivel. A barrel swivel is the best.

Have fun.  

[Sam]

Helpful Hints for the Carolina Rig

Look for grass or stumps or rocks, etc. on the bottom.

Fish points.

Close your eyes and feel the line with your fingers and rod to get an understanding of what you are fishing.

Keep rod tip high so line is tight.  Remove as much slack as possible. You will always have some slack but try to remove as much as you can.

Get ready for a fast "tap-tap" or "bump-bump" and set the hook with power.  Keep rod handle against your belt and use your arm and stomach muscles to set the hook.  

Set the hook hard as you not only have to drive your EWG hook into the fish but you have to pull through the weight and some slack which will always be in the line.

Try a trick worm or a Sweet Beaver to give the fish something to see.

If you are a wild and crazy guy, go with a floating crankbait just to see if you can get anything. Do this when you are fishing a flat bottam as the crankbait can get hungup easily.

Be ready to lose some baits and rigs.

You can set up more swivels, leaders and hooks and wrap them around pipe insulation foam to replace the ones you will lose.

All you need to do is to add a tungston weight and glass bead and then tie the swivel set-up back onto your line.

Check for nicks and cuts after 10 casts, if not less.  If you are fishing rocks or stumps your line will get damaged.

The depth of the water and current will determine the weight of the tungston weight.  Try not to go too heavy but enough to keep weight on bottom.

Bring another baitcaster (or two) with you so you can change out if you start to run out of line on your first baitcaster or get a backlash. Then all you have to do is change out baitcasters and not sit there without a reel or trying to remove a backlash.

Balance your reel with your set-up to help stop backlashes.

I can't think of anything else but you get the picture.  Be sure to read the articles on this forum regarding Caroline rigging and go out and get snagged.  ;D   ;D   ;D

[atx_newbie]

Helpful Hints for the Carolina Rig

Be ready to lose some baits and rigs.

I'm glad you said that.  I've just started c-rigging about 2 or 3 weeks ago, and have never had so many snags in my life.  I'm losing weights and hooks like it's my job.  The bottom that I'm fishing on is really rocky, so I think that I'm just dragging my weight and getting it wedged between the rocks.

Would you use a braided line when using a c-rig?  I think I need the extra sensitivity because I have a hard time feeling strikes (or I am just not getting any).

[Shad_Master]

I always use braid for my main line and a leader of flouro carbon or copolymer.  I also use those "pre-rig" set ups that were mentioned above.  "If you ain't getting hung up you ain't fishing where the fish are".

[booneangler]

will the bite be like a T Rig bite? Tap tap.

[wilsonm1]

thanks sam

[The_Natural]

I'd stay away from the 'Carolina Shortcut' by BPS.  Putting that section of wire in your line will dull feedback and make your rig less sensitive.  While c-rig fishing, feeling the bites is probably the toughest part.  I'd strongly recommend using a french fry to start and then branching out to other baits.  French fries work well and get tons of bites.