new to board...question

[woody9409]

I love reading this board but this is my first post.  

I have always used a spinning reel but recently bought my first baitcaster.  I have had it about a month and love it.  I have not had any trouble learning how to use it except for one thing.  I am having trouble casting my crig.  I have a 7' mh rod.  My leader was about 18".  I was using a 3/8brass slip weight with a baby brush hog for lure.  I couldn't get any distance or accuracy.  Was my weight too small?  I have no trouble using this same setup t-rigged.  Thanks for any help.

[MoBassFishN]

Yes, C-rigs tend to be difficult to cast with light weights. The heavier the bait you are casting, increases this difficulty. Your weight has to be considerably heavier than your bait or the bait will want to take the lead and let the weight run up your line, creating drag as the line passes through your weight at increasing angles. One thing that will help this if you find it necessary to fish with the light weight is to keep some rubber bands handy and tie a short strip of it a few inches above your weight. This will allow the weight to clack against your bead yet keep it from running up the line. One of the principles of C=Rigging is for that weight to stir up the bottom and make it seem that the bait is investigating that action. A heavier weight helps this! However, when C-riggin on certain types of rocks, it can be necessary to use a lighter weight. I've found that in most situations like  this, it's better to find another method or a better type of weight that don't wedge in the rocks as easily. Sometimes it just requires that light weight though to keep it from going to deeply in those crevices.

[Gatorbassman]

Yea Mo hit it on the head. Also the cast for a C-Rig is a little different also. The only way I can describe it is it is a slow, deliberate, overhand rainbow cast.

[nwgabassmaster]

Or, just imagine that you are throwing your beloved dog, Rover, into the drink.   ;D  Ok, maybe that's a bad example.  However, the same theory applies.  You aren't going to want to chuck it with all your might, but rather, lob it as in a rainbow manner.

I have got to the point where I can cast a C-rig almost like a T-rig, and that's even with a 3 ft. leader.  

Oh yeah, watch out on the first couple of tries with a heavier weight, that it doesn't come and peg you in the back of the head.   ;D

[woody9409]

hey guys,

    thanks for the tips.  I figured that i needed to increase the weight of my sinker.  i am going to go out and practice in the backyard before next trip to pond.  neighbor must think i'm nuts.  been doing a lot of that backyard fishing since i got my baitcaster.    ;D

[senko_77]

yeah, weight has a ton to do with it!

[nwgabassmaster]

Also, consider that using a smaller weight is suitable for a "finesse" approach to the C-rig.

In order to get the maximum distance, you have to set the tension knob and the brakes, so that you send the thing across the lake, and not have to pick out a "professional override" when it lands.   ;D

What I have done, is I have my Shimano Curado, which is my utility reel (good for everything), set to cast the smaller lures, but, it can also handle the larger ones, without changing the setup.  How, you might ask?  Just have to learn how to control the spool with your thumb when throwing the larger lures.  Also, changing the tension helps out, at times.   ;D

[senko_77]

yeah i call it 'feathering' the spool.