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