carolina rig bite

[huskertko]

What does it feel like?  I am trying to learn this rig but either i am not working it right or i am just not feeling the bite.  I have read the C-rig post but not much said about what the bite actually feels like.  Please offer some advice before i just throw the towel in and not fish it anymore.

:'(

[Chris]

Most of the time it just feels heavy or you will feel pressure.

[Curado]

Yeah most of the time it just feels heavy, but I will reel up all the slack and pull on it just a little bit to see if it moves.

[Will]

With the carolina rig you always need to be watching you line for movement, and be ready to set the hook when you go to drag the rig because their might be a fish down there.

[George Welcome]

Carolina rig bite = plastics bite

I see this question frequently and if is a common one asked by my clients.

The C-Rig bite is the same as any other bite that comes with the use of plastics.

There is the smash and run - There is the pick up and sit, (increased pressure) - There is the pick up and swim towards you, (suspicious but not sure).

As with any method of of plastic fishing the simple rule is: If it feels different hit it.

If you have fished plastics using any type of method, look for the same thing from the C-rig. The hits are going to be the same.

Of course, key to this whole topic would be, are you using a C-rig, or someone's modified idea of a C-rig. For example: pre-packaged C-rig, (weight sliding a short distance on metal wire), aren't a C-rig at all. Weight crimped on the line is not a C-rig at all. A C-rig is comprised of: bait on hook, then leader, then swivel, then bead if you want, then some form of slip weight. Since the line moves through the weight freely if you stay in contact with the bottom with the weight, and stay in contact with your line as you move the bait, then you will feel the bait get picked up without a problem.

[Rattlinrogue]

Most of the bass that I've caught this summer on the c-rig have benn no problem detecting.When I've reeled in the slack(after dragging the weight a few feet),the fish have been on.

[huskertko]

I used to fish it with the pre rigged weights, but no I use a 1/2 oz brass weight, two beads and a 1/2 oz snag free lindy weight, so the line should be free to slide>  Lately anytime I feel the extra pressure i set the hook with a sweeping motion to the side, but it always has seemed to be the weight getting slightly hung up on the bottom.

I guess I am just getting frustrated by not catching anything on this rig.

[Brad_Coovert]

Just like any plastic, you may only feel a tap.  I have also had fish fgrab the bait and swim sideways and the only way I knew was by seeing the line moving off.  I have had them grab the bait and move at me or with me as I pull - that's the hard bite to figure out sometimes and usually leads to the gut hooked fish.

The other bite is when the fish garbs the bait and with no warning, tries to pull you out of your shoes and into the water.   I love those the most.

It took me about a season to really learn the Crig, but once I got it down, I was catching fish every trip out with it.  Just keep trying!

Brad

[ernel]

Just last night I caught what appears to be the same fish I am holding in my avatar picture again. This time it was on a carolina rig. The pond I was fishing is full of weeds, so the weight is constantly feeling heavy. If I set the hook every time the lure felt heavy I would pull back a stringy mossy mess. I simply lift slowly and feel for something alive on the other end before setting the hook. If you gently pull the lure and it is in the fishes mouth, they will normally clamp down and move just a little and you can fill it in the rod.

[bassackwards]

was usin a carolina rig last night, usin a tube/lizard, some bait by strikeking.  I was watchin bill dance the other week, and he was talkin about putting a foam earplug (cut the piece going in ur ear off) and shoving it up in the tube.

with a carolina rig, it makes it fall quick, and then a reaaaal slow fall.  actually, I think it was floating, so I need to put a small pellete weight in first perhaps.  

just picturing it though, seems like it would be deadly.  to fall quick until the weight touches bottom, and then just barely decend after that.

[master_baiter]

here's one close to the topic what way do u  "twich"  the Crig?  To the side or up like a jig

[Brad_Coovert]

If the water's pretty calm, I will work the rig like any other plastic, moving the rod up and down.

If the water is rough or windy, I will work the bait by moving the rod to the side and keeping the line closer to the water so I can watch it better and feel better.

Either way, I get a good hookset using a 7'6" rod.

Brad

[Chris]

I just drag it or shake it then drag it.