A fluoro leader is needed in order to properly use a Carolina Rig. Carolina rig fishing is nearly identical to Texas rig fishing with a few exceptions. In this case, it might be a good idea to lengthen the leader in order to ensure that the bait floats above the vegetation and visible to any fish nearby. Its design allows it to target the bottoms of the water, and it is one of the most popular bass fishing lures of all time. Underwater Bait Forensics. Lunkers TV’s Mojo Rig Video How To Rig The Mojo Rig . The Alabama rig most frequently catches the eye of larger fish, such as walleye. However, they do have their restrictions. Drop shotting is yet another popular method used to catch bass. Because of the way the setup works, it also serves as a temptation for fish, no matter if they are feeling aggressive or lazy. Both the Texas and Carolina rigs are good in springtime. The compact, weedless setup allows anglers to slowly work their baits through the cover or even deadstick it to coax lethargic bass into biting. The Carolina rig has the ability to reach deep fish, thus many fishers turn to this during the winter months when fish are lower. The Carolina rig is designed to be used with soft plastic lures. Learn more about Underwater Bait Forensics here. If you are wondering how to assemble a Carolina rig or how to properly fish with it, then you have come to the right place! Let the Carolina Rig settle to the bottom. It is up to you what lure you use, too. My Personal Guide To Fishing Alaska from Shore, Carolina Rig: Everything You Need to Know, The Fisherman’s Knot – Improved Clinch Knot Instructions. What’s so special about the Texas Rig? There are situations where you will find it is better to use a Texas setup compared to the Carolina setup, and vice versa. The main difference between the two is the location of the weight in the setup. After a time, the fish may pick up your bait, test it to see how desirable it is, and either swallow it or quickly spit it back out. To do this, you need to move your fishing pole back and forth, using a simple sweeping motion in order to move the lure around the area. Rather than having one lure, the Alabama rig has five lures. The next step is to slide your main fishing line through your weight, and then through the bead. Catfish tend to scavenge for their food at the bottom of rivers, lakes, and strip pits, and since the rig keeps your bait at the bottom, it is a great setup. The Carolina rig was specifically designed for bass fishing, so it is no surprise that catches them with ease. The special thing about this rig is how it separates between the sinker and the bait giving a natural look to the offering and increasing the bites count. The key to fishing the Carolina Rig is to move the bait so slow that the only way to achieve how slow you need to move it is to move it slowly by moving your pole. Load Previous Page Load Next Page. Its design allows it to target the bottoms of the water, and it is one of the most popular bass fishing lures of all time. The Carolina rig can be a powerful weapon in your fishing arsenal, so don’t be afraid of using it! In order to properly fish with a Carolina rig, you will first start by casting it out into promising water. Use your best judgment and don’t be scared of mixing things up! Timmy Horton breaks down everything you need to know about a Carolina Rig, from the setup to where and how you should fish it and to even the proper retrieve and hookset. You need to make sure that the rig you choose is strong enough and the rod is sturdy and heavy enough for the rig to hold. Next, you will drag the rig across the bottom of this target area. During the spring time, you will find that either rig will be efficient. It also works well in grassy areas or areas with a large brush build-up. Instead, they typically stay in one spot deciding if something looks tasty enough to eat. The Carolina Rig consists of a sinker, bead, swivel, hook, and soft plastic. You should not buy any cheap rod and reel combo, for this will result in the rig being unstable and unable to hold the fish effectively. The bass will then survey the bait to determine if it looks worthwhile. You should also use a Texas rig when trying to catch fish off steep drops. The finesse Carolina rig is better known as the Mojo Rig, which is thrown on lighter line with spinning tackle. Keep in mind that with the Carolina setup, a bass might react to your lure much faster than a standard lure. This line is also very strong and won’t break easily. Texas rigs are generally used for fishing heavier cover, while the Carolina is better suited for deeper water or less extreme cover. When fishing over something like hard bottoms and rocks, you can also “pop” the line to give it more life. categories. You can swap out the bait to attract nearly any species of fish that prefers to feed on the bottom. When fishing the Carolina rig, Thliveros keys in on points of all kinds, humps, creek channels and other underwater structure. This should be an appropriate size compared to the line and weight that you are using. These cliques took great pride in their methods and often viewed each other as inferior fishermen. Once you feel the Carolina Rig on the end of your line, jerk your rod toward the underwater structure to get the weight to hit it. Sometimes known as a “C-rig”, this rig is made with a plastic lure with a weight affixed above the hook. The Carolina halibut rig is a great choice if you’re bottom fishing from a boat with dead bait and you want to use a simpler rig. There are, however, a few simple things that you can do with your Carolina rig in order to increase your success when using it with bass. Keep in mind that the Carolina rig seems to move more rapidly compared to the Texas rig. Carolina Rig 101 with Timmy Horton. Imagine that the rig is sitting in the 12 o’clock position and move your rod from the 12 to the 2 o’clock position and back again. You can choose whatever leader length best suits you. Of course, you will need to continue setting up your lead, hooks, and lures. Almost everyone reading this article—including the guy writing … There are many reasons why the Carolina rig is as popular as it is, and why so many bass anglers continue to rely on it. The Carolina, on the other hand, has a weight followed by a lure that sits on a leader line. You can opt for a soft bodied crawfish or a soft bodied worm. Your email address will not be published. You don’t have to worry about mastering any sort of tricks or techniques before you can use it to successfully catch plenty of fish! So what exactly is a Carolina rig? If they are up and feeding, you can get away with a longer leader. The Carolina rig is not just for bass fishing, of course, but it is highly attractive to bass. If you are interested in the drop shot, you might be wondering, “How do you rig a drop shot?” Just like the Carolina, rigging up the drop shot is also easy. One of the biggest tips is to use this rig in order to search for fish and find them. He uses 20- or 25-pound-test Sunline Shooter for the mainline and the leader, a 1-ounce or ¾-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Tungsten Carolina Rig Weight, a Top Brass Carolina Ticker to protect his knot, a swivel and then an Owner Offset Shank Worm Hook (usually in 3/0) to top it off. Don't jerk the rig, just a nice smooth sweep will work. For instance, bass like many other fish species, operate in two different modes when it comes to their feeding habits and behaviors: Keep in mind that in opportunistic mode, bass are relatively lazy fish. One of the reasons that the Carolina rig is so popular is because fishermen of any skill level can effectively use it and catch plenty of fish. However, it is interesting to note that the person who invented drop shotting was a salt water fishermen. Intern Gavin with an Indiana Brute (kind of) Some anglers set up their Mojo rigs with a small barrel sinker followed by a small swivel with a leader line of about 1 to 2 feet attached to the swivel. The Texas setup can also make its way down into smaller holes, globs of seaweed, underwater brush, and more. For that reason, many anglers use Carolina rigs for catfishing. Place the tag end of your line through your drop shot hook – length of line pulled through the hook should be around 10-12 inches, Now take the tag end and push it through the opposite end of the line tie – you know you have done this step correct if you have a loop on one side of your drop shot hook, With the two strands of line and the loop you formed, tie an overhand knot – but make sure not to pull it tight yet, Bring the loop that you made over the knot and hook, Take your tag end once again and push it through the top of the line tie, Now use the tag end to place your weight on the line, Attach your lure to your hook – since drop hooks are small, opt for a nose hook through your lure, Start by threading your fishing line through your sinker or weight and do not tie a knot just yet (tip: beads and swivels work with bullet head sinkers best), Thread your line through your plastic or glass bead and slide it up to the sinker. Our Wired2Fish staff was pleasantly surprised when Jacob Wheeler grabbed an old school Carolina rig and started catching the heck out of pressured bass from an offshore school on the Tennessee River. This experience is open to anyone eight years old or older. Any other size of the hook and you may not be maximizing your chances of catch this fish that is normally around 13-15 inches long. Building the rig is simple and straightforward. Once this is complete, you are officially done and have assembled a basic Carolina rig! By visiting our site, you agree to our privacy policy regarding cookies, tracking statistics, etc. This swivel will help keep your line from twisting and release unwanted tension. Although Texas rig fishing is great, you might find that learning how to fish a Carolina rig is just as good, if not better. One of the best ways to do that in these situations is with a Carolina rig. Bass love this rig because it targets and triggers their natural instincts. To catch a bass in lazy, opportunistic mode, you must drop your bait right in front of the fish. The Carolina rig is a simple LRF, light rock fishing, rig with a sliding weight. It is also the optimal choice for fishermen looking to catch bass during the spring season. The weight also allows the setup to sink to the bottom, thus enhancing your ability to catch fish. Bullet style weights tend to be the favorite, as they can more easily pass through weeds and grass without getting snagged. We rig every type of bait in every type of condition, show you what it looks like underwater (that’s where the clips at 1:56 in the video came from), and show you the best ways to rig them to catch more fish. The Texas rig, on the other hand, works better if you are targeting fish that like to hide in thick cover. The technique works wonders throughout several bodies of water, particularly salt water lakes and the like. Instead, you should make sure you have different hooks with you in case you decide to swap out your lures. What Are the Types of Backpacks for Hiking, Backpacking & Travel? This means giving it light jerks every so often, keeping your rig from getting snagged and causing a strike from nearby fish. Important point number two is that I like to use a Carolina rig going DOWN structure – down the sloping tip or sides of a point, down a series of stairstep ridges, down a channel edge, down the side of an underwater hump or saddle – just down. Because of the design, this rig will bump into rocks and other things underwater. If you are still having trouble with your rig setup, this video tutorial may help you out. Sometimes a bass will pick up your lure and move somewhere with it. There are, however, a few tips that the pros will use in order to take full advantage of this rig. The Carolina still seems to work best in deep waters. Otherwise, you will find that the video adequately highlights how to put together a solid rig for your next bass fishing adventure. Typically, the Carolina should be your go-to setup if you need to cover a larger area of water to find fish. But even though it is very basic, it does an excellent job of catching fish! It’s the simpler cousin to the Carolina Rig. Determining when to use a Carolina rig or a Texas rig often comes down to a matter of speed. Once you have your bait attached, you should cut a length of fishing line for a leader, generally anywhere from 12 to 36 inches long. With a Texas fishing rig, you can offer subtle movements of your bait through the water, thus changing how fish react. By maximizing the use of your rig, you are increasing your likelihood of catching more bass. This causes the bass to think that it is injured prey that is unable to fully control their movement, making them an easy target. On the other hand, if you have never used it, you likely have no familiarity with how it works, why it works, and the best ways to use it. The motion of the lure appears attractive to fish in both aggressive feeding and opportunistic feeding modes. Required fields are marked *. Additionally, it is the best rig when it is sunny outside, and the water is calm. It can also cause some extra noise that helps attract hungry bass. The rig you will make is a basic Carolina rig using an egg sinker and the crux of this rig, a small, size 4 “J” hook. Many competitions ban the use of the Alabama Rig, such as F.L.W Outdoors and BASS. You should also not be afraid of playing around with the length of the leader. With a properly rigged up lure like this one, you can drop your bait in just the right spot for a lazy bass. If you have not yet fished with the rig setup, you might be missing out on a better bass fishing experience. If you do not notice a quick hit, you may have to make the bait look a little more enticing. When compared to the Carolina rig, the drop shot is rather valuable to bass fishermen, but each offers their own pros and cons. Bass are also attracted to the rig because it allows the bait to move in a circle the distance of the lead line. The first step is to take your hook and attach your bait to it. Line movement may indicate that a bass has picked up your lure. These come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Next, you will need a simple plastic bead. Moving the rod back and forth in that motion moves the bait across the bottom slowly so that it offers a slow jig or dance across the bottom. Lastly, you will need some hooks and a plastic lure. If you miss your fish, you can always recast and try again. Currently loaded videos are 76 through 90 of 447 total videos. The Carolina rig is a fishing rig that is used to target fish like bass. Maximizing the use of your rig is not that difficult, and can improve your fishing game. A Carolina Rig is one of the most versatile lures/techniques used for bass fishing. It’s nearly invisible underwater allowing you to slowly drag this lure across the bottom without spooking the fish. However, if the hit feels different to you, or if you aren’t sure what type of hit sensation you experienced, go ahead and set your hook. To begin with, you will need: To figure out how to tie a Carolina rig, you will first need to do the following: The three components you just placed on your fishing line are what create the Carolina rig. Some anglers also use a clacker for added noise While you can purchase these components separately, we recommend going with a Carolina Rig Kit to save time and ensure you have all the right components. Multi… In very shallow water you might want to think about shortening your leader to 12 inches, and using a lighter weight. Carolina Rig also helps fishers catch more fish because it is very stable. It can also be used to fish hard to reach spots that other lures otherwise can’t. Another example will be if you are fishing in an area with a lot of underwater vegetation and kelp. You will need to: If you do not know how to rig a Carolina rig, fear not. Tie one end of this leader to your baited hook and the other end to your swivel. The fast reaction of the bass might leave you stunned, which can slow your reaction time. This is because it's heavier and not as likely to get caught on things. The setup purposely keeps your bait at the bottom, thus attracting whatever might see it there. Simply swap out your lure for something attractive to catfish, such as liver, worms, or another specified catfish bait. Often, an angler has the chance of increasing her or his luck of catching large bass. The slower you move your bait across the bottom of the water, the more appealing it looks to bass fish. The Carolina rig gives you more sensitivity to feeling a halibut bite and is a better choice when fishing near rocks or other underwater covers. In contrast, Carolina rig is better for reaching those fishes that are hiding in the depths. Everything from college tournaments to amateur series events upheld the ban against the rig. Instead of using the reel, you will use the rod to move the bait. So how exactly do you set up a Carolina rig? During the prespawn and postspawn season of bass, you will find that the Carolina Rig works great. Try SCUBA is a 1.5 hour introduction to SCUBA diving. Once you find the fish, you can then move into more precise and finesse fishing to catch them. The hook you use will depend on your lure. In truth, the rig is a wonderful setup for fishing, but like everything else it has it’s drawbacks. Because of their tendency to roam, you need a lure that can cover a larger area, which is something the Carolina can do. With this rig, you can cover plenty of water in a short amount of time. Depending on how well the fish are reacting, you can choose to slow down or speed up your retrieval of this rig. When it comes to fishing, the Carolina rigs bass love are why anglers use them so much. Is Polyester Warm Enough for Cold Weather Camping & Hiking? Simply casting your rig into the water and waiting is not always an option. Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all Carolina rig hook. Wheeler has been making good use of classic presentations like deep cranking, Texas rigging and Carolina rigging in recent tournaments with outstanding success. The Carolina rig is a fishing rig used since the ’70s to target bass and the other bottom-feeding fish in lakes and rivers. That come-hither dance appeals to bass and calls them over to test your rig. So what’s the difference? Instead, they may snatch up the lure rather quickly snagged and causing a strike from fish! 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