C-Rig over a T-Rig

[AHBasser]

What is the advantage of using a C-rig. Couldn't a person use a t-rig in the same situation? Reason for me asking is I was fishing this weekend, and another angler on the water was telling me about using a T-rig in 20-25' of water, and after seeing his catch I was amazed. I had always heard of only using a C-rig in that deep of water.  I have very limited experience with a c-rig, being I have not caught a fish on it.  Does the bite feel the same on a C-rig as a T-rig?  

What is the deepest that you would use a T-rig, and what size of weight would be the max that you would use on a T-rig?

[gamblerOH]

I use a t-rig anywhere and any depth.  A c-rig is a teqnique i use mostly when the fish are lazy. A c-rig is effective for giving a bait a weightless action in deep water. A texas rig cant do that.  I dont use anything heavier than 3/8 (usually smaller) on a t-rig. I almost always use 1 oz on my c-rigs though. The biggest difference I see is that a c-rig is a slow way to fish, but in the heat of the summer it seems to be the most effective.

[AHBasser]

O.K., that makes sense.   But how does the bite feel on a c-rih.  I know all bites are not the same, but will tey slowly swim off with it or will they slam it?

[CBedo]

As usual, the answer to your question about the bite is....it depends!  Sorry.  Because there is some line between your weight and the hook, many times, the bite can be more subtle than on a Texas rig.  You also, need a bigger sweeping hookset with the Carolina rig to pick up the extra line.

[Raul]

When the emergent vegetation like Hydrilla, Milfoil, Elodea rises 2 ft or more above the bottom of the lake C-rig lets you keep your bait above the vegetation due to the leader, since the bait in T-rig is immediately behind the sinket under those circumstances doesn 't work well, the sinker digs in the vegetation and the bait is not visible to the fish.

[ernel]

IMO the key with the c-rig is to feel for the fish. I normally do this by lifting gently before moving the lure.

The remainder of this is from a post I made in another forum. It was easier to cut and paste as opposed to retyping the whole thing again. If there are any spots that seem to be coming from nowhere, that is why:

The bite IS different with the c-rig as was stated. That is why I said to feel for the fish. Sometimes you don't feel them at all. Your line will just start moving off. Reel down to get all the slack out and set the hook with a sweeping hook set. (Sweep to the side while reeling in very fast.)Other times it will feel heavy or like you are pulling a tree branch. Set the hook. It is important to know how the lure weight feels. If you move the lure and you don't feel any weight, set the hook.

The weight of the sinker actually dampings the feelings that are normally felt thru the line from the hook. This is good, as it also gives the fish a little slack line before he feels the pressure that is applied by the rod and line. This will make him want to hold on to it a little longer.

You can tell when there is something alive on the other end of the line most times, but sometimes it is just an educated guess. If you are in doubt, lift up slowly and reel in some slack they will normally let you know they are there.

End of cut and paste.

Raul also brings up a good point about submerged vegitation. The c-rig is tops for fish that are buried in the weeds that are ignoring faster moving or bulkier presentations.

[blanked]

as far as working the  c rig lure in deep water,

how many of you let the wind drift the boat as you drag it or if there is no wind let tthe lowest setting on the trolling motor drag the c rig ?    

[gamblerOH]

I mainly fish humps and points with a c-rig so I try to keep the boat in one spot and fish the area slowly. For me the boat moving around would just add unwanted confusion, I  use the trolling motor to stay on the hump/point, and if its a really productive point I have even anchored to keep other boats out.

[Brad_Coovert]

I seldom fish a Trigged bait in deep water.  Not that it can't be donw, by I prefer a Crig better.  I can cover water faster, cast better in the wind, I have better feel of the bottom and my bait looks more natural.

I usually leave my Trigs to specific cover in shallower water.

Brad