There are places where it should not be used though.
- Areas with a lot of rip-rap (dams, levees).
- Areas with dense vegetation (heavy hydrilla).
- Areas with heavy wood.
- Areas where the rocks and boulders are close together.
- And of course, in dingy water. This is a sight set-up.
That leaves a lot of options. For hugging the bottom while dropping down a slope, this can't be beat.
Carolina Rig Equipment
Rod; A good, fast action, bait-caster.
Reel; A bait-caster with a smooth drag. Get the best you can afford.
Line; Main line, usually 12 to 25# test mono depending on conditions you'll be fishing in.
Leader; Some prefer to use the same line as their main line. Others recommend a lighter leader so that if you get hung up and have to break off, you won't loose everything. It all depends on the area you're fishing. Weeds, wood, whatever. As far as length, about 18" - 20" per 10 feet of water depth or if you have sonar, adjust for whatever the finder shows.
Swivel; Small as possible and good quality. It's more for a stop for the weight than to reduce line twist.
Weight; Usually a bullet or egg shape from 1/4 - 1 oz. A bullet shape allows you to pull through the weeds easier. Some have rattles in them. If you're fishing thick weed areas, a lighter weight is recommended.
Beads; Some are plastic and others are faceted glass. They are used to protect the swivel knot from damage from the weight hitting it. Some choose no weight because they fear that the noise will cause the fish not see the bait.
Hooks; From size 1 to size 4/0, depends on the type of bait, conditions, and fish targeted. Big fat worms will need a larger size.
Lures; Plastic worms 4" - 12", lizards, tubes, soft jerk baits grubs, hard-body lures, almost anything.
Carilna Rig Set Up
First, slide the line through the weight, next the bead, then tie on the swivel. The leader ties to the other end of the swivel and then the hook.
Most people start out with a 2' leader and take it from there. A short leader may work better in a river or stream with NO current, cold water, or early spring. A longer leader for warmer water, if current is present, or when bass are suspended off cover. Adjust the leader length so the lure will settle just above the tops of weeds in weedy areas. If you're not getting any hits with one leader length, try another.
If this seems to complicated there is always .
Using the Carolina Rig
Bass are either aggressive feeders (rare) or they are opportunistic feeders (most often). The Carolina rig is made for that opportunistic bite. The baits' slow erratic movement gives the bass an in your face look at it.
Cast the rig out and wait until the weight hits the bottom. With the rod at a 45 degree angle, SLOWLY pull the rig across the bottom. The best way to do it is to swing the rod from the 10 o'clock position to the 12 o'clock position. Then quickly reel up any slack. A longer rod will cover more of the bottom and help with the hook set. Keep the line tight an be alert for any bites. The lure will dart right and left, fall, rise up, suspend, and dart again in any and all directions. This is an effective imitation of an injured baitfish. When you're reeled up try to place your next cast about 3 or 4 feet right or left of the last cast. That way you'll cover all the water.
This rig is not meant to be fished like a spinnerbait.
Best Places to Fish a Carolina Rig
Fish this rig on main lake humps, points, and flats to locate concentrations of bass. On drop-offs the weight will hug the bottom and keep the bait in the zone. In rivers with current a heavy weight and a longer leader ill also keep the bait in the strike zone. As I previously stated, this rig is a sight set-up and suitable for clear to stained water.
