Carolina Rig Ideas

[MarVaBC]

I have not been real successful using the c-rig...don't use it that much because of this.  I want to give it a fair shot this year and try to gain confidence in it.  First, what are the ideal scenarios for using a c-rig?  Like time of year/water temp/etc.

Secondly..I have some big 5" tubes that I was thinking may be good on a c-rig....has anyone c-rigged a tube and put some type of styrofoam or other flotant in the body to make it float up?  Just curious if it works, and if its effective.

[Siebert Outdoors]

IMHO,  I would start with high catch % baits.  even if you catch small fish off it.  It will build your confidence faster then just throwing a big lure and maybe getting a few bites.  This will also make your technique better.

4-6" lizard

centipedes

something along those lines would probably be the best choice.

[MarVaBC]

Yeah I wll def start out with high % baits...I was just curious if anyone has done that w/ a tube?

So what are the ideal contitions/situations for a c-rig?

[Siebert Outdoors]

Yes, I have.  Worked ok.  I didnt notice much difference in catch %.  Actually manns makes a tube that the put little foam inserts in with the tubes just for this.  Any more I dont mess with it.  I just throw standard lure.  If I want something that floats I will just throw a floating lure like 3x.

[zachvii]

I use C rig all year.  I use it in mainly clear water.  The misconception is that you have to through large baits with a C Rig.  To the contrary I love to throw small baits with the c-rig.  3in Senkos and 3 inch tubes are a couple of my fav baits with C-Rig.  Dont worry about using a big hook either.  I nose hook tubes all the time with rather large hooks and it doesnt seem to scare the smallies.  I always give my self at least a 3ft leader between the hook and the weight.  I use 3/4 oz bullet weights and carolina stoppers to round out the setup.  I have caught most of my biggest smallies with this setup.

[KYbass1276]

The c rig is my favorite technique.  I started using it alot last year.  One of my favorite baits is a 10 inch culprit ribbon tail worm.    You won't catch numbers using that bait but when bit it will be a nice size fish.   One of my favorite colors is tequila sunrise.  But I like to stay with darker  colors  most of the time.  My General rule is colder water longer leader,  warmer water shorter leader. I rarely go over a 3 ft leader.  I like a slow and steady retrieve myself I like to keep the bait moving.   In colder temps I go extra slow and will even let it soak for a while.   Watch for a bite while the bait is on the fall it's fairly common to get bit on the way down.    I still have alot to learn about the C rig myself and I found the easiest way to learn it is do it.  and keep doing it.   Also try using a shallow running crank bait or a bait that suspends  on the C rig it works great.  

[Munkin]

While I am not sure of the ideal time to use one I have had the most luck during the late summer. Black and natural blue colored 6" Zoom lizards work the best for me but I have not tried to many other baits.

Allen

[cwen]

Like you, I made a commitment to learn the c-rig a while back. It is awsome. I use it all year round and have a rod/reel just for it. You cna attatch anything to it and it will work. I reallt love fishing it pararllel to grasslines though. It is also good on humps. I have even caught fish while using a crankbait at the end of it.

[hi_steel_basser]

While any lure will work at the end of a c-rig, here are my faves. Finesse worm, brush hog, lizard, centipede, and 10+" worm for summer structure. Color isn't important, as long as you use GP, WM, RS, or JB. Oh, I forgot tubes. They are effective the way you described, but I would go more with a mojo rig with them.

[flyphisher #]

Starting out make sure you get some 3/4 oz. Tungsten bullet or carolina weights. The increased sensitivity is well worth the extra $. Baby brush hogs, trick and finesse worms, zoom craw and 3" senkos are my best c-rig baits.

[Rattlinrogue]

My # 1 bait is the 6" lizard.I use a lot of 3X lizards because they float above the thick vegetation that we have down South.I've also used a 6" finese worm and a 4" senko with good results.By far my most successful colors are green pumpkin,black w/blue tail,red shad,and watermelon.When to fish it?Anytime that you want to.I use it mainly in the heat of Summer and also in the Winter.It can be fished successfully at most any depth,but I like to use it in water 8' or deeper.I simply fish it on or near typical deep water structure,and I'm always looking for deep water cover on the structure.

[HPBB]

Yes C-rig the tubes. I do it al the time. Its something the fish don't se much of. everybody C-rigs a lizard or worm, give them something different. Yes you can put something in them to float them up. I have used the soft ear plugs. You can make them small slide up in the tube then they will enlarge and float nicely. However, I have notice that C-rigged tube works better on the bottom than floating up.

[SCarter]

C-rig all year long. This time of year during the prespawn, i like to drag either finness, trick, or centipedes across long secondary points adjacent to deep water. Later on, will throw to the bank and work out toward drop offs. I have even tied a small original floating rapala on and caught fish. As for the tungsten weights, i use 50 lb Power Pro with 20 lb floro leader. All the snsitivity I need. year end year out I catch my biggest fish with this rig.

[eyedabassman]

I fish the C-rig all year too. I fish lizards, tubes,finn.worms,brush hogs,flukes. Gene Larew makes a floating tube that works great and you don't have to put any foam in it. Try a crankbait on a C-rig my bud showed me how well it works! He uses med. to small cranks and does it ever catch bass. ;D

[justfishin]

I know a C rig works at times but, honestly, this rig is one that I hate to use. I just don't like them. If conditions call for this setup I use a Mojo more often than not. I like a Zoom Centipede for this kind of set up the best and I second a lizard in the spring.

[Brad_Coovert]

The Crig is a year round technique.  It will work in nearly any water depth and can cover a lot of water very quickly.  It is good for active fish or inactive fish.  I will always have at least one and up to four Crigs in the boat at any given time.

My suggestion to learn this method is to do this.  Take nothing with you but your Carolina rig rods, tackle and your soft plastics.  Leave everything else at home.  This will force you to use this bait in lots of ways and places and you will learn a lot.

In fact, this is the best way to learn any method IMO.

Brad

[ww2farmer]

My suggestion to learn this method is to do this. Take nothing with you but your Carolina rig rods, tackle and your soft plastics. Leave everything else at home. This will force you to use this bait in lots of ways and places and you will learn a lot.

In fact, this is the best way to learn any method IMO.

Brad

EXACTLY RIGHT.............thats what I do with every new technique I try. Often times for weeks at a time. Now i have confidence in just about everything I can think of, there are only a few things I can't do, or can't do well (yet). Jigging spoons come to mind.