| The Carolina Rig has been around for many years | | | | when fishing abrasive cover. This technique is |
| but is still a big producer for anglers all over the | | | | usually used around grass vegetation which lets |
| world. It serves many purposes that we are | | | | you get away with lighter line. |
| going to cover in this article. We will cover the | | | | You will want to pay attention to the length of |
| different areas for fishing this technique and also | | | | the leader you use. A leader may be from 12 |
| the many different lures that you can utilize. Here | | | | inches to up to four feet. I normally keep my |
| is a step by step format you can use to load | | | | lengths from 24? to 36? this will normally cover |
| your boat with good numbers of bass. | | | | the water column well. The shorter the leader the |
| First, we will cover the components that are | | | | faster the bait will fall to the bottom. The longer it |
| required to get this rig set up. The first | | | | is the more natural it will look on the fall. It will also |
| component is the weight. You will have to | | | | flutter from side to side a little better with a |
| determine a depth and structure type you are | | | | longer leader. |
| fishing. This will determine the size of your weight. | | | | The hook size is up to the size of bait you are |
| You want to always try and get by with the | | | | using. I like Owner or Gamakatsu 2/0, 3/0 and 4 |
| smallest weight possible. I would recommend a 1 | | | | 0 hooks depending on lure size. I will use a |
| 4 oz. to a 1/2 oz. size. This enables you to get | | | | variation of lures with this technique. My favorite |
| better hook sets. If the water you are fishing is | | | | choice is a Zoom trick worm. This bait looks |
| relatively deep you may need to go to a 3/8 oz. | | | | extremely natural and pulls through almost any |
| or 1 oz. weight. There are many weight types | | | | type of cover. I also like using a Senko on this rig, |
| such as egg sinker, bullet weight, weights with | | | | it seems to have a motion that you cannot get |
| rattles in them and so on. They come in different | | | | from other baits. These are just |
| composites such as lead, brass and tungsten. I | | | | recommendations on lure choice. I am sure you |
| would recommend using a bullet weight for getting | | | | will have many that you can experiment with and |
| through the vegetation a lot better. I also | | | | try on your next trip to the lake. |
| recommend using a brass or tungsten weight | | | | Let's talk about rod and reel choice. I like using a |
| since many states have outlawed the use of lead. | | | | 7? 6? rod that I can really feel subtle bites with. |
| The next component that will go on the line after | | | | Pinnacle makes a great rod for this called a Matrix. |
| the weight are the beads. There are two main | | | | It is made from Kevlar and is very sensitive and |
| reasons for the beads, one is to protect the line | | | | strong. I also prefer a Pinnacle Pro Select reel for |
| tie so the weight does not damage your knot. | | | | my Carolina rig fishing. This reel is very sensitive |
| The second reason is to add a clicking sound | | | | and is made with an all metal frame which helps |
| when moved along the bottom. This sound | | | | you feel those light bites. A gear ratio of 6.2:1 is a |
| mimics craw-fish or shad feeding on the bottom. | | | | good choice also. |
| Most anglers use a glass bead for this application. | | | | One of the many ways to use this bait is to |
| Thus far we have a weight followed by two glass | | | | utilize it as a search bait. This let's you feel the |
| beads. Let's move on to the next component. | | | | bottom with you weight and determine the type |
| The next thing you will need is a swivel tied | | | | of structure there. This lets you narrow down |
| directly to the line below you weight and beads. | | | | bait choice and presentation. The thing that can be |
| The swivel of choice is normally a crane swivel. | | | | challenging at times is setting the hook on long |
| The reason for the crane swivel is to prevent line | | | | casts with this technique. I prefer to use a sweep |
| twist. I try and stick with smaller swivels usually in | | | | hook set by reeling up the slack and sweeping the |
| the 20 to 30lb range. | | | | rod to the side, not up. This usually drives the |
| We are now getting down to the length of leader | | | | hook into the corner of the fishes mouth for a |
| you will need to use for the type of cover or fish | | | | good solid hook set. The great thing about the |
| that you are targeting. From the swivel that is | | | | Carolina rig is that it can be fished shallow or deep |
| tied on the line you will attach a leader. I normally | | | | depending on where the fish are you are |
| use fluorocarbon line for this application, this | | | | targeting. |
| makes the bait seem more natural. Although you | | | | If you have not tried this technique before or just |
| need to remember that fluorocarbon does sink a | | | | gotten away from using it you may be missing |
| little faster than mono-filament. The line spooled to | | | | out. The next trip you take to your favorite |
| your reel will be heavier than that of your leader. | | | | fishing hole have one of these rigs tied on. It may |
| Here is an example, 17lb spooled on your reel and | | | | just save the day! |
| 14lb leader. You may need to use heavier line | | | | |