The Carolina rig is
simple to rig, very efficient in producing bass, and
uncomplicated to use. However, it seems to be a method of
last resort, rather than the first choice for most
fishermen. The multitude of rigging choices enshroud this
method of fishing, deep in a quagmire of uncertainty, and
because of this mystification the recreation angler
seldom uses the Carolina rig effectively. Rod selection,
reel preference, line selection, weight option, leader
strength and length, whether to use beads or not, and
types of swivels are topics of deep and intense dialogue
amongst fishermen when the rig is mentioned. Among the
experienced fishermen the rig is considered at the top of
the leader board of choices.
The debate about the history of the Carolina rig leads to
controversy and uncertainty. However it should be agreed
that no matter how or why the Carolina rig came about,
learning this simple but deadly method of fishing should
be paramount in your fishing arsenal. It is an extremely
successful method of bait presentation in all depths of
water and its only restriction is the cover that you are
trying to move it through.
Since its only limit of use is the cover that you are
trying to move it through let’s look at the areas
that it wouldn’t be recommended in. Areas of extreme
vegetation such as heavy hydrilla don’t lend
themselves to unproblematic usage of a Carolina rig. An
area where the brush coverage is dense is another such
area. Areas were the bottom is made up of boulders that
are very close is another area where the rig is sure to
get caught up. All other areas are potentials for the use
of this rig, so as you can readily see, the Carolina rig
is an extremely adaptable rig.
The various components:
The rod: To be most effective the rod should be a longer
rod, (7 to 7.5 feet), with a good backbone and fast tip.
It doesn’t have to be an expensive rod, for example
we use a Shimano Convergence MH, 7.0 rod for most
applications. This is a rod that can be gotten in
Wal-Mart for under $40.00. The reason for the longer rod
will become apparent as we discuss how the bait is moved
and the hook set.
Reel: The reel should have a fairly fast retrieve. When I
discuss reels with anyone my advice is buy the best reel
that you can afford. The reel can be used on multiple
rods and dollars and cents is a definite factor in reel
quality.
Line: The line will depend greatly on the
location that you fish. However for general purposes it
should have strength of at least 14 pounds for most
areas. The type of line is a matter of personal choice
and it is an area of definite intense discussion and
disagreement in the fishing population. However, remember
that in choosing the line it needs to be of sufficient
strength and quality to stand up to the area you will be
fishing. We use as a standard, 15-17 pound good quality
monofilament.
Swivel: The swivels used should be of
good quality and as small as possible. The general
function of the swivel is as a stopper for the weight
rather than keeping out line twist and you want it as
unobtrusive as possible. Several weight stoppers have
emerged on the market and they can be readily used in
place of the swivel.
Weight: Choosing the type and amount of
weight to use is another area of controversy, however
bearing in mind that the rig calls for the weight to be
in constant contact with the bottom will help with the
weight side of the equation. Bottom consistency and the
type of cover that you are coming through determine
whether to use a bullet type weight or an egg type
weight. We use 3/8-ounce weights as a starting point and
rarely use less than that.
Leader: The length and the type of line to be used as the
leader ranks right in there as the most discussed and
disagreed upon component of this rig. As a general
reference we use 18 inches of leader per 10 feet of
water. Keep in mind however that the length can also be
affected by what you are seeing on your sonar. For
example if you note that the fish that you are seeing are
holding three feet off the bottom the best of floating
worms couldn’t get into the zone with an 18 inch
leader.
Beads: Beads and whether to use them or not, and how many
to use is also an area of debate. The general function of
the bead is to protect the knot from the constant
abrasive action of the weight. However, some do feel that
the beads also create noise thereby attracting curious
bass. We use no bead if we use bullet weights and one
bead if we us an egg weight. My feeling on the beads is
they are just another obtrusive attractant and I want the
bass striking the bait, not the rig.
Putting the rig to work
Using the rig in point of fact is easy, and I think its
simplicity is what makes it difficult to use for many
fishermen. To understand why it is so efficient
let’s take a look at the eating and the defense
mechanism found in the bass. On the eating side the bass
will be in one of two modes. They will either be
aggressively feeding which is a rare and highly valued
time for you to be on the water, or they will be
opportunistically feeding. The latter mode of opportunity
is the one that you will find the bass in most often, and
it is the one that the Carolina rig was designed to take
extreme advantage of.
Most often you will find the bass hanging around biding
his time and surveying his territory. If an object is
placed in front of the bass that the bass considers as
having a possibility of food value the bass will pick it
up to test its desirability. If it considers it good it
will swallow it, and if not it rejects it and quickly
spits it out. Realize that the bass is extremely lazy
critters so in order for you to take advantage of this
opportunistic mode you have to place your offering within
inches of their mouth. You also have to present it in
that location for a sufficient period of time for the
bass to make the decision to pounce on it.
On the defensive side of this equation you must
understand that the bass although a schooling fish is
also territorial. Understand that a bass’s territory
is the area that its body is occupying so if you wish to
elicit a defense response from the bass your presentation
has to be in that space. Also understand that a defensive
response of the bass does not mean an actual pickup of
the bait with its mouth. The bass may head butt it, take
a swipe at it with its tail, or just try to push it out
of the way.
Simple Physics: For every action there is a reaction.
Looking at the action of the bait attached to the
Carolina rig you can readily see why it is so effective
when the bass are either being defensively aggressive, or
opportunistically feeding. As the rig is drawn across the
bottom the bait can move, depending on the forces it may
encounter, 180 degrees to the distance of the length of
the leader. As it hits resistance from weed for example
and than releases it can spring right or left, upward, or
forward of the weight. This not only gives the bait great
action but also covers the water in any direction equal
distance from the weight. If the bait moves into the
territory of the bass it could react. With this you
should also readily see why slow movement of the weight
during the retrieve is so important. Whether eating or
defending the bass needs the opportunity to decide and by
moving slowly you give him that much more chance to
decide in your favor. You have all heard many times what
is meant by the word slow but I will say it one more
time. When you think you are moving the bait slowly then
you need to slow down some more.
In order to move the bait slowly you need to use the rod
rather than the reel to move the bait. Even if your reel
has a slow retrieve it is too fast for the Carolina rig.
To understand how to move the rig, picture the baits
location as 12 o’clock. Using a dragging motion to
the side, move the tip of the rod very slowly from 12 to
2 o’clock. Left-handers would go from 12 to 10
o’clock. The longer the rod, the greater the
distance is between 12 and 2, (or 12 and 10), which is
why we recommended the longer rod back at the beginning.
If you feel a hit during the drag quickly return to the
12 o’clock by picking up the slack with the reel,
being sure to keep the line taut, and set the hook. The
longer rod also gives you more leverage for the hook set.
The key to the reel down is keeping the line taut. If you
throw slack line at the bass you will be setting the hook
on slack line.
Sensing the hit with the Carolina rig is the same as
sensing the hit with any other plastic bait rig. If it
feels different than hit it! The bass as I said earlier
may be testing it for food quality, or they may be
pushing it, or head butting it, so if doubt enters you
mind hit it! Another hit to watch for is revealed in line
movement. The bass just might pick the bait up and move
off to investigate its quality. They do this to hide it
from other bass in the vicinity, but rest assured, in
most cases if you don’t react they will eventually
reject the offering and you will be left holding the bag
so to speak. You have probably experienced this as the
three tic hit. The bass picks it up, turns, and spits it
out in rejection. Get the hit before the third tic!
Setting the hook: Speed is the requirement for a good
hookset, not power or distance of the rod sweep!
The Bait: Last and least discussed but certainly
extremely important is your choice of baits. However the
choice is an easy one to make. Color should be your first
consideration and the formula for this is generally dark
colors in darker water and light colors in lighter water.
Shape and size are experimental and subjective matters.
Very little that you throw to the bass for its
consideration is going to look anything like the real
thing so if you have a bait that you are confident in
that would be your best first choice. Remember that your
strikes are going to come from either aggression or the
possibility of opportunity from the bass so go with what
you like. We find that the best of all the plastics on a
Carolina rig are the Senkos but again that is a
subjective choice. By using a plastic that you have
confidence it you will tend to throw it more often rather
than giving up and going to bait.
When fishing an area with this rig, keep in mind that its
function by design is to meet the need of placing the
bait just about into the mouth of the bass. Be thorough
with its use and cover all the water. Too often I see
people using this bait like they are throwing spinner
bait. Target your casts to land no more than the length
of your leader from the last cast and you will be very
successful with this bait. Keep it slow, concentrate in
order to sense the hit, and aggressively set the hook.
Above all, use it long enough to give it the opportunity
to show you why it is considered the most effective
method of catching the wily bass. It won’t take you
long to be a Carolina rig expert.
George & Scott Welcome
Imagination
Bassin Guide Services
772 370-1606
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