Carolina Rig Tips Take II

[boneman]

good info in the first crig post although it appears to be locked so i decided to start another.

i always heard that crigs are good 'search' baits, although the more i read the more it appears that they should be fished slow like a typical finesse type bait (which i have no problems believing as it seems that it's better to err on the side of slow vs. fast more often than not).  

my question is that if it's best to fish this bait slow, what is the advantage over a tube or other non-crig plastic?  it doesn't seem that i can cast it any further than a tube - particularly if i'm using 1/4 oz. + to get it to summer depths.  i would really like to develop some confidence in another bait to enable me to quickly explore unproven off-shore structure, but i'm finding it really hard to put down a proven producer like a tube, for a unproven (to me anyway) one - especially if i can't fish it any faster.

does that make any sense?

[Shad_Master]

For me the advantage of a C-rig is that it allows me to fish at a variety of depths on a single cast.  I use baits that I know have a slow fall and try to visualize what it going on when I drag the weight.  If the fish bite just as I drag it, I know that they are relating to the bottom.  If they are hitting it on the fall they may be suspended, in which case a drop shot may be a good follow up.  they are good for covering a lot of water because you can defintely throw a 1/2 to 1 oz weight further than a 1/4 oz, but that it not how I use the weight.  I want something that will get down and then come through the structure.  I feel for what is going on below the water by how the weight acts.  I can detect rocks, grass, soft bottom or whatever is going on and this helps me know what to follow up with.  Hope this helps.

[roadwarrior]

Well, a C-rigged lizard isn't just a search bait, it's a catching machine. Sometimes it's just exactly what they're looking for. On any given day there seems to be a preferred profile, fall or action and  sometimes color.  Just another arrow in your quiver.

[Brad_Coovert]

First, the action you get from a soft plastic behind a Crig is much different than a tube being dragged or hopped on the bottom.  That plastic on the Crig is lazily drifting around behind that sinker and is very enticing to a fish.

Second, the bigger sinker will let you cast farther, fish faster or slower and feel the bottom better in deeper water than the tube rig on a 1/4 oz. sinker.  IMO, nothing will define a bottom better than a Crig.  I will actually follow up a Crig with other baits once I know what is on the bottom.

Third, the Crig will make a great compliment to your tube.  Fish it in the same water and give the fish a different look.  Fish the tube, then the crig, then the tube, etc.  I will almost always give the fish a few different looks on each spot.  It will usually result in a few extra fish when they stop hitting a certain bait.

Brad

[dirtybirdnation]

I love C-rigs! I have had great luck from Senko's and 8" Big Ike worms. I use tunkston weights with red glass beads. ;D

[boneman]

how do you rig your senkos - texaposed, wacky, just by the end?

i've been wanting to try a floating worm or crank behind a crig to try to get up above the weed growth or maybe entice bass suspending above - has anyone had good experience with this approach?

[dirtybirdnation]

I C-rig the senko's with about 2 1/2 to 3 foot leader. I make the hook weedless and that's about it. Ofcourse I have a slip weight and 2 glass beads on the other side of the leader, making that clicking noise. Hope this helps. ;D

[nwgabassmaster]

I rig my Senkos several different ways.  Most of the time, I use the 5 in. model, and when I use these, I will rig them weedless, or Tex-posed, as Yamamoto calls it.  When I fish them Wacky-style, I find the exact middle of the Senko.  

I know that some rig in through the "egg-sack", but I do not rig it this way, because I feel that it will make the lure lop-sided, and that it will cause the lure to fish differently.    :-/

If I am using the 3-4 in. model, I will use them on a drop-shot rig, and I will nose hook them.  If I am wanting a bit more action, I will rig it through the tail, but when this is done, you will go through a lot of them, cause they will tear a lot.   :'(  Yes, I know, that's a lot of money, and a lot of lures.

[huskertko]

Does any one use the Lindy weights for C-rigs?  they are kind long ans skinny with a curve to them with rattles built in, they claim to be 95% snag free.  If so how well to they work, I bought some this weekend but haven't had a chance to use them.

[paully]

Hey guys, I have a question about the C-rig. When you drag it do you just reel it in or pull it with your rod tip, reel in slack pull, repeat?

Also are Kreatures good for C-rig?

[George Welcome]

From the bottom: Kreatures make excellent C-rig bait. The lindy makes an excellent weight especially in heavier greass. Depending on cover you are fishing the bait can be Texposed or hook buried. The action and coverage makes the rig an excellent search rig, and once the fish are found a deadly presentation. Move the bait with the rod, not the reel.

Put the c-rig into a swimming pool with some items that create obstructions for your weight and watch the action. Simple physics make this bait a large are coverage bait. (physics: action-reaction)

[paully]

THanks a bunch! I will C-rig a kreature tonight