Carolina Rig Technique 2025
A-Rob reply :
I spent the last summer working on building a C-rig game. I sort of settled into my own style later in the season. I was curious on how you guys fish the C-rig, to compare.
Feel free to expand and mention your favorite time/place to throw it, but how do you fish it?
Thanks guys.
Gatorbassman reply :
The Carolina Rig is such a versatile rig and there are so many variables to it that it is hard to narrow down the one way I fish it the most.
I will put anything on a C-Rig, including a floating crankbait.
I fish leaders as short as 6inches and as long as 7 feet.
I will usually leave the weight free sliding but when fishing in brush or wood I will go with a short leader and peg the weight to help lessen snags.
The one thing to always remember on a C-Rig is a low, sweeping hookset. Never set the hook over your head.
soccplayer07 reply :
QuoteThe one thing to always remember on a C-Rig is a low, sweeping hookset. Never set the hook over your head.
x2. well said!
EastTexasBassin reply :
I used to always use a c-rig with a 1/2oz to 3/4oz weight and thought of this as my deeper water rig. For the past few months I've been using lighter weight c-rigs in shallower water and its been great. A lightweight c-rig (1/8oz to 3/16oz) is a great way to fish the ragetail eeliminator. It also works well for lizards, trick worms, and ragetail craws.
SDoolittle reply :
QuoteI fish leaders as short as 6inches and as long as 7 feet.
When do you use a seven foot leader? I have a hard time casting anything over about three feet.
RockvilleMDAngler reply :
I like to fish points and deep humps with a CRig with a 18-30" leader and a 1/2-3/4 tungsten weight. I tend to drag it slowly most of the time and sweep set on anything that feels different. I tend to use the CRig in deeper water and a split shot rig in shallow (under 5 feet) water. I don't use either in grass unless it is very sparse.
Bassin_Fin@tic reply :
QuoteI like to fish points and deep humps with a CRig with a 18-30" leader and a 1/2-3/4 tungsten weight. I tend to drag it slowly most of the time and sweep set on anything that feels different. I tend to use the CRig in deeper water and a split shot rig in shallow (under 5 feet) water. I don't use either in grass unless it is very sparse.
I know sometimes it depends on what kind of grass you fishing, but a c-rig in the grass can be killer! You got to use a slender mojo style sinker paired with a bait without to many arms or appendages such as a fluke,senko, trickworm, or ribbon tail worm.Floating tubes and worms can be extremely effective as well.Set the leader length to make the bait ride above bottom grass.You can also use a styrofoam carolina floater the goes in front of the bait like a bullet weight but I use foam earplugs as well.
These weights are incredibly slender and small.Best grass weight I ever used.http://www.***.com/descpageRIVERSTERM-RSCSS.html
A-Rob reply :
All good stuff guys.
I often have success with my go to hookset, kinda a diagonal, btw an overhead and sweep. I should work on changing it to the horizontal sweep.
On a side note, I noticed the sweep set never works for me with crankbaits, it pulls them outta the smallies mouth, I have better hook up ratio with a overhead set as I believe it drives the hooks into top of the mouth instead of out of it.
basser89 reply :
Like you Dirk, I just started using the c-rig last year. Since I had 0 confidence in it, I picked a shallow canal to build my confidence up in the rig. My best retrieve was a slow drag pausing to wind up the slack (keeping tension on the line while reeling back to do my next movement). My hook up success only happened with the low sweeping hookset.
I'm going to add this because at least to me, it was important part of my success. When I first tried the c-rig out, I was using a cheaper rod (about $50 range). I really didn't have much feel with this rod which in turn didn't give me much confidence in it. It wasn't until I upgraded to a better rod ($110 range) that I was able to gain the feel for what was going on down there and the confidence grew and I started landing fish with it! A sensitive rod is key, at least it was to me!
K_Mac reply :
Don't be afraid to go heavier on the weight when fishing deeper water. 15' or deeper I use 1oz. It gives me a better feel for the bottom and gets down faster. It also allows you to work the bait faster (when needed) while keeping contact with the bottom.
There are times when a Crig will out perform anything else IMO. There is much good info in the "best of " section and in the articles as well. Good luck.
A-Rob reply :
QuoteLike you Dirk, I just started using the c-rig last year. Since I had 0 confidence in it, I picked a shallow canal to build my confidence up in the rig. My best retrieve was a slow drag pausing to wind up the slack (keeping tension on the line while reeling back to do my next movement). My hook up success only happened with the low sweeping hookset.I'm going to add this because at least to me, it was important part of my success. When I first tried the c-rig out, I was using a cheaper rod (about $50 range). I really didn't have much feel with this rod which in turn didn't give me much confidence in it. It wasn't until I upgraded to a better rod ($110 range) that I was able to gain the feel for what was going on down there and the confidence grew and I started landing fish with it! A sensitive rod is key, at least it was to me!
I agree 100%. Fortunately I found a nice stick, about 100 bucks on sale for 45 at the end of the year. It is fairly solid for fishing the C-rig.
A-Rob reply :
QuoteDon't be afraid to go heavier on the weight when fishing deeper water. 15' or deeper I use 1oz. It gives me a better feel for the bottom and gets down faster. It also allows you to work the bait faster (when needed) while keeping contact with the bottom.There are times when a Crig will out perform anything else IMO. There is much good info in the "best of " section and in the articles as well. Good luck.
I fish normally fish (on my lake) 8-20 feet for smallies. It's a lot of water, so it can get a bit choppy/rough, I enjoy using the heavier weight to feel that bottom....let alone get it to the bottom. I enjoy the extra weight so I'm not straining to feel the bottom, and I can get a bit more action on the bait for the smallmouth.
Thanks dude
Gatorbassman reply :
QuoteQuoteI fish leaders as short as 6inches and as long as 7 feet.
When do you use a seven foot leader? I have a hard time casting anything over about three feet.
Usually prespawn (Very Prespawn) main lake, steep points. The first places that the fish contact when they are moveing in the spawn. The fish are usually in a somewhat susspend state. I fish it very slow.
knap reply :
i am really thinking about going out and start trying to throw a c-rig this year but the only thing is that i usually do not fish deep ponds, the subdivision ponds i fish are not to deep so do you all think i could still use a c-rig to catch bass?
Big-O reply :
Quotei am really thinking about going out and start trying to throw a c-rig this year but the only thing is that i usually do not fish deep ponds, the subdivision ponds i fish are not to deep so do you all think i could still use a c-rig to catch bass?
Light weight set up 3/8 or less in relatively calm conditions is very productive in a variety of depths and especially shallow water.
Big O
www.ragetail.com
Fat-G reply :
QuoteLike you Dirk, I just started using the c-rig last year. Since I had 0 confidence in it, I picked a shallow canal to build my confidence up in the rig. My best retrieve was a slow drag pausing to wind up the slack (keeping tension on the line while reeling back to do my next movement). My hook up success only happened with the low sweeping hookset.I'm going to add this because at least to me, it was important part of my success. When I first tried the c-rig out, I was using a cheaper rod (about $50 range). I really didn't have much feel with this rod which in turn didn't give me much confidence in it. It wasn't until I upgraded to a better rod ($110 range) that I was able to gain the feel for what was going on down there and the confidence grew and I started landing fish with it! A sensitive rod is key, at least it was to me!
What kinda rod?
b.Lee reply :
Great rig, good advice here
knap reply :
QuoteQuotei am really thinking about going out and start trying to throw a c-rig this year but the only thing is that i usually do not fish deep ponds, the subdivision ponds i fish are not to deep so do you all think i could still use a c-rig to catch bass?Light weight set up 3/8 or less in relatively calm conditions is very productive in a variety of depths and especially shallow water.
Big O
www.ragetail.com
i see what your saying, but one thing, wouldnt my bait and my hook weigh more than the weight itself?
A-Rob reply :
QuoteQuoteQuotei am really thinking about going out and start trying to throw a c-rig this year but the only thing is that i usually do not fish deep ponds, the subdivision ponds i fish are not to deep so do you all think i could still use a c-rig to catch bass?Light weight set up 3/8 or less in relatively calm conditions is very productive in a variety of depths and especially shallow water.
Big O
www.ragetail.com
i see what your saying, but one thing, wouldnt my bait and my hook weigh more than the weight itself?
Most likely your soft plastic and hook won't way more than 3/8oz, even 1/4 should be heavier. The difference is the lure won't keep nosediving like with a texas rig sinker. When you raise and lower the rod, the plastic will pull up and slowly fall down. The surface are of the plastic, as well as it's density (less dense) will allow it to fall nice and slow!
It'll work good for ya dude.
knap reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuotei am really thinking about going out and start trying to throw a c-rig this year but the only thing is that i usually do not fish deep ponds, the subdivision ponds i fish are not to deep so do you all think i could still use a c-rig to catch bass?Light weight set up 3/8 or less in relatively calm conditions is very productive in a variety of depths and especially shallow water.
Big O
www.ragetail.com
i see what your saying, but one thing, wouldnt my bait and my hook weigh more than the weight itself?
Most likely your soft plastic and hook won't way more than 3/8oz, even 1/4 should be heavier. The difference is the lure won't keep nosediving like with a texas rig sinker. When you raise and lower the rod, the plastic will pull up and slowly fall down. The surface are of the plastic, as well as it's density (less dense) will allow it to fall nice and slow!
It'll work good for ya dude.
alright it makes sence now, thnaks for the help. ill give it a shot this spring
kikstand454 reply :
hey knap.
if you throw a 3/8 oz. c-rig in shallow subdivision type ponds, try rigging it up with a 3/0 ewg hook and a beaver style bait.
the action is awesome... and those fish havent seen that too much. i promise!
BrianSnat reply :
I was a big Texas rig fan when I first started fishing worms, but the past few years I've almost exclusively used the Carolina rig. With the Texas rig most of the bass I caught would be on the initial drop. Rarely did a bass bite on the retrieve. I get fewer bass on the drop with the CR but many more on the retrieve.
A-Rob reply :
Thanks everyone for all your opinions, it has sparked a more than a few new ideas for me!
JKarbo214 reply :
What are the best Carolina Rigs to purchase that are already set-up? I am interested in trying this technique but would like to purchase some of the rigs that are sold already made and just add a trailer. Any help would be appreciated.
kikstand454 reply :
imo there is no need to buy pre made rigs for a carolina rig. its a waste of money and is limiting your options.
theyre easy to make on your own.
1. cut 4ft off your main line.
2.slide a sinker (dependent on water depth,current and wind speed) then a GLASS bead on your main line.
3. tie on a barrel swivel to your main line.
the hard part is done.
4. take your 4 ft leader and tie one end to the other side of your barrel swivel.
5. decide how long you want your leader... taking into account water clarity and possibly the height of the grass you may be throwing it in,,,, and tie on your appropiate size hook (3/0 in general)
6. put on your favorite plastic. if your new to it.. might i suggest a zoom trick worm or senko style bait as this seems to be a "numbers" kinda bait and will increase your confidence.
7. throw it anything that slopes. sanbars, points, banks, channel bends.... you get the picture.
thas the easy version. simple and super effective!!!
A-Rob reply :
I agree, tie it up yourself.
To save time and not waste time out on the water. Bring a rod with it rigged up on land, or just decide to spend one afternoon with your 1 rod rigged up carolina and just spend the day practising it.
Once you get the hang of tying it up, it takes 1 minute.
Hook Set reply :
Great tips listed. I gotta pick up the C-rig this year and have just been motivated!
C-rig is my kryptonite!
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