New to the Carolina Rig

[Rick in GA]

Although I have been fishing for almost 50 years and used a Texas Rig alot, I am just getting acquainted with the carolina rig.

Currently I have a 3/4 oz brass weight and 2 beads above a swivel. Below the swivel is around 20" of line and a hook.

Rig is a 6'6" Johnny Morris MH Rod and a Shimano spinning reel with 12 lb flurocarbon line.

I have read many articles and watch videos on this but when I try to fish it I get moss and gunk on the worm at the head just like with a Texas Rig in the mossy part of the pond. Water is a 6 acre farm pond that I have pulled several 5 to 8 pounders from. Sometimes the rig get tangled up around the sinker.

Questions: What am I doing wrong? Do I need a floating worm?

This is supposed to be idiot proof and I can't seem to get it right. All help appreciated. :-[

[BigEbass]

I am only 2 years into fishing and I would like advice about this rig too - I have used the texas rig mostly, occ. drop shot or jig heads.

I will expand on your question too if you dont mind to include what people suggest as far as presentation, or do you simply vary it and let the fish tell you?  I have read somewhere I think that it is a good "power fishing" bait to cover alot of water in search of the bass - but my neighbor told me it is to be worked slow - I am betting both are true?

Do you use something like a floating worm for best results perhaps to keep it above the muck in such cases perhaps?

[whoopbazz]

You seem to be on par with your set up. You may need to lengthen your leader a bit.

The bait is fairly important. I do not like Senko type baits for c-rigging. These baits sink too fast and got caught in the bottom junk. Lizards, grubs, tubes, and regular plastic worms seem to work the best for me.

[Glenn]

From the "Best Of BassResource.com" sticky, I give you everything you ever wanted to know about the Carolina Rig:

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

[Tuckman]

I love carolina rig...it very underrated...I have had one tied on in the boat for the last 5 years straight...My setup is 50lb power pro braid to a 1/2 tungsten weight and instead of a bead i use another 1/8-1/2 tungsten weight. With the braid you will not have to worry about breaking off the expensive weights and the knot will not be damaged from friction. From the weights down I then have a  high quality swivel, a 2ft 12-14lb flouro leader and a yum dinger(100% of the time), which is lighter than a senko and flat out catches fish. I fish a white, black or junebug dinger depending on water color. With this setup and a quality rod you can literally feel a fish fart near your bait, and you can get a sick hookset on a with a ton of line out in deep water. I use a 7'H rod and a fast reel to get that fish moving to the boat fast.

Two of my tactics-

I drag it on rock points and flats. When I get it into the area that I feel is holding the fish I shake the rig in place, with those two tungsten weights you ran raise up a crawfish convention sized racket down there.

I also stroke the c-rig alot...I rig the dinger wacky on the c-rig and lengthen the leader to up to 3 feet and drop down to 1 lighter(1/2-3/4oz) weight. let it hit bottom, then drag it a bit and pop it up, let it settle for a few seconds, drag it a little bit then stroke it again...with this technique you area literally getting that deadly dinger drop a dozen time in each cast, and in a zone that has not yet been alienated by the wacky rig yet. This is a great technique for someone(me) that thinks that big flutter spoons are better for chucking at jet skiers then catching bass.(the c-rig is also great for chucking at jet skiers but lacks the accuracy and kenetic energy of a spoon)

  As far as getting gunk on your bait, the c-rig has always been a hard bottom type of presentation for me.

Hope some of this helps and good luck!!! 

[bassinbob54]

slow..slow...slow