Bass Fishing The Carolina Rig

Most of my years of fishing for bass, I have been devoted to the Texas Rig. I had little understanding of the need for the Carolina Rig. Until lately...

New fishing situations and conditions I have encountered have shown me the value of this setup.

Right off the bat, I can tell you that one value of the Carolina Rig is more action from the bait. Since the bait is not quickly dropping to the bottom, it tends be more lively.

It is great for situations where the bass aren't taking other baits because of weeds and visibility. Pulling one of these rigs over a bed of grass can be extremely rewarding.

It can be fished in any depth of water, but it seems most people use it in 8' of water or less off islands, humps, coves adjacent to deep water.

The difference between the Texas Rig and the Carolina Rig is where the sinker is. In a Texas Rig, the sinker is a slip sinker that rides freely on the line with nothing else between the rod and the bait. In a Carolina Rig, there is a swivel or something else to allow a leader between the weight and the bait.

Both are used with plastic baits. The hook is usually embedded into the body of the plastic, making it virtually weedless. This is what drove me to love plastics, particularly worms.

The typical setup is to pass the line through a slip sinker then tie it to a swivel. Sinker weights can vary; usually a light sinker (3/8 to 1/2 ounce) for a shorter leaders, and heavier sinkers (1/2 ounce or more) for longer leaders.

Next, tie your leader onto the other end of the swivel. If you are new to this you might want to start with a shorter leader until you get used to casting it. Usually anglers use a leader of 1 1/2' to 3'. If you are fishing deeper, you will probably want to go longer; maybe even as much as 6 or 7'.

Now tie the leader onto your hook. A size 2 or 3 worm hook is best, particularly one with a twist in it to aid in hookset. Once you have the hooked tied on, run the hook tip through the end of the head of the plastic and push it in about a quarter of an inch. Now run the hook tip out of the plastic bait and push the bait up the hook towards the eye. Now you can bury the tip of the hook into the bait near the abdomen or egg sac.

Some people push it on through and snug the hook tip near the body (on the backside). This allows for better hook set, but results in more snags. I like to push it through just before it breaks out of the back where I can feel that it will pop through easily. If you do this, be sure to set the hook hard to penetrate the plastic.

Presentation will vary. Let the lunkers tell you what they want. Try swimming it, pumping it, jiggling it, move it up and down, back and forth sideways, or drag it slowly through the weeds by starting at the 10 o'clock position and slowly pulling it up the 12 o'clock position then letting it falling while reeling in the slack. A very slow and steady retrieve can be deadly at times.

Sometimes you will feel a bump or a hard strike, but more often a pull, or something might just feel different (heavy, mushy), or you may feel nothing at all when you should. Watch the slack. Keep contact with the bait. If slack comes in the line for no reason, or you feel the weights dragging across something when you didn't move the link, set the hook. Set the hook, set the hook, set the hook. It's free.

Which plastics are best? Probably all of them at different times. A short plastic, like the french fry might be a good place to start. I recommend lively baits that float and have a garlic scent. You should do well with worms, lizards, crawfish or anything else that you have confidence in.

Many people love the Carolina Rig in the wind. Probably because it's easier to keep the slack tight and it gives more action to the bait. They are also great in the heat of the day road beds.

Have fun with them.