What is the best Carolina Rig Rod?

I need a good c-rig rod and i was wondering what people prefer. I here some say med. action for the feel and others say heavy action for the hook set. What works the best for you?

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-27-06 AT 08:50PM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-27-06 AT 08:48 PM (EST)[/font]

I'd go medium/heavy at least 7' long with IM7 or better blank. With a medium/heavy it will work great and you can use it as a jig/worm/spinnerbait rod also. I think a good low stretch line for the main line is important for the sensitivity and make your leader out of a smaller line so it will break before the main line. I like Fireline for the main line with a mono leader. The Fireline will give you great sensitivity and the mono will break easier if you hang up. Other lines will work though. Tons of great rods out there, Bass Pro, Shimano, Falcon, Allstar,G-Loomis Etc, Etc. Carolina rigging is not rocket science so I wouln't worry too much about the perfect rod just so its long enough to cast the leader and has some sensitivity and back bone. Drag the sinker on the bottom, keep a tight line never loosing contact with the sinker/bait. Feel a thump, tick or pull set the hook. Like taking candy from a baby. Oh yea, Dave Stewart says pull the sinker with a side arm motion very slowly keeping the line tight. Never let the line go slack. Drag it, don't hop it like a Texas rig or at least that's how Dave taught me.

plowboy,
I've never used Fireline. May have to give it a try. Do you use smoke or flame green?


I've got 7-0 medium heavy All-Star carolina rig rod.

I use smoke. I only use Fireline in heavy cover or as the main line in Carolina fishing. Then I will put a clear mono leader from the Carolina weight to the worm, lizard, or whatever you use as bait. It is a very sensitive line and you will feel every rock and pebble as the sinker drags the bottom. Other braided lines would work as well I suppose. I might use the flourescent line at night. I don't use fireline as my main line in clear water. But it will work for a Carolina rig in clear water just use a less visable and lower lb test for the leader. I'm not a big fan of fireline in most instances but Carolina rigs, fishing heavy cover or vegetation or at night for increased sensitivity it's great. When you first start using it or another braided line you may think your getting hits because you can feel everything compared to mono. Cast great also.

Hey got a question, when fireline first came out, I began using it... but only for one season. I could not keep it tight on the spool. Now I use spirewire, and it stays on tight. I also used to think that fireline was more stiff.

My questions are, how do you keep it tight on the spool, and is the line still stiff, or is it now as limber as spiderwire?

I agree with everything you said about sensitivity and about the rod. I don't use an expensive rod for my CR, I use 1 oz weights and with the spiderwire, I can feel every little thing.

Thanks for the help with the fireline questions... may want to give it a try again.

Danny

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON May-28-06 AT 06:40AM (EST)[/font][p]I use a H&H Carolina Special rod. It's a 7'2" rod and it is the best rod I ever used for C-rigging. It's very strong, alot of backbone but is light and won't wear you out if you use it all day.
I used to use Power Pro braided line C-rigging. Used the 100 lb strength 20 lb dia. and you all are right, you could feel everything. I usually used a 14-17 lb mono leader. My fishing partner used regular mono for his main line and he kicked my butt every chance he could. I started using mono again and was then able to kick his butt. Not sure if it was the line---actually I loved the braid but I did not catch anywhere near the fish I did with regular mono. I can't really explain it---but now I use 17 or 20 lb mono main line and 12 or 14 leader and it works very well.
Here's a link to their products. Very good rods.
[url]http://www.blackhawkcustomoutfitters.com/hh_worm.html[/url]

I agree with Mark. I use an H&H Carolina Special for my C-rig rod. They're light, sensitive, and just the right length for me (7'2"). I also use there 6'10" heavy for my jig and worm rod. Power with sensitivy. They are expensive, but the warranty for me is worth it. I bought mine from US BASS in Dover, TN. If I ever break one, (which I have)I pay $30 and Harry gives me a new one from his stock...no waiting to send back to the manufacture.

Good luck to you.

I've always used 17- or 20-lb Excel clear/blue fluo for my main line and clear mono for the leader line, usually 14-lb Vanish the last few years. I think I'll try some Fireline or other braided line and see if I can't get some better sensitivity.