Carolina Rig ?

[BanditMan]

I need some combo info on this please! Rod, Reel , Line etc. I have to admit it is is a severe weak point of mine. Any or all info is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all.

[artcarney_agr]

I use a 7' rod, 17lb test mono main line and 10 lb. fluorocarbon for my leader which is a minimum of 24" long. The 17 lb main line is just personal preference and there is nothing wrong with going bigger. The line gets nicked up easy on the rocks so the thicker the line the better. A 10 lb. leader is more than enough, and if you hang up you can break the line but still save your weight.

Of all the weights I have used, there is none better than the 3/4 oz. steel egg weights you get at Wal-Mart for very cheap. The big bulky round weight rolls over the rocks and the steel makes more noise as it bumps along.

Any glass bead will work and for the swivel I like a big ol' crane swivel.

I fish mostly lizards, brush hawgs, worms, and spider gubs on my rig. Exodus Baits makes lizards that float and they are awesome on a carolina rig!

One tip: get one of those "Tackle Tamer" leader/snell holders and make up your leaders before you get out on the water. It saves you time and frustration.

Good luck!

[the_donger]

I use a 7' rod, 17lb test mono main line and 10 lb. fluorocarbon for my leader which is a minimum of 24" long. The 17 lb main line is just personal preference and there is nothing wrong with going bigger. The line gets nicked up easy on the rocks so the thicker the line the better. A 10 lb. leader is more than enough, and if you hang up you can break the line but still save your weight.

Of all the weights I have used, there is none better than the 3/4 oz. steel egg weights you get at Wal-Mart for very cheap. The big bulky round weight rolls over the rocks and the steel makes more noise as it bumps along.

Any glass bead will work and for the swivel I like a big ol' crane swivel.

I fish mostly lizards, brush hawgs, worms, and spider gubs on my rig. Exodus Baits makes lizards that float and they are awesome on a carolina rig!

One tip: get one of those "Tackle Tamer" leader/snell holders and make up your leaders before you get out on the water. It saves you time and frustration.

Good luck!

Art, that was great breakdown.

Thanks.

What are the glass beads for?

[artcarney_agr]

The glass bead keeps the line knot from wedging in your egg weight. When the fish takes the bait, you want the line to run freely through the weight - this is why those pre-rigged deals you can buy don't work. If the fish is dragging that weight he'll let go of the bait......

[fishing4kids]

How many of you take the time to tie a palamar knot thruout the rig.
Just asking........

[zx150]

I tie the palamar on everything.

[artcarney_agr]

Improved clinch knot on mine.....if I'm using braid however, I'll tie palamar

[LarryG]

I use something a little different. Mymain line is20/6 spider wire, I put one snap swivel on the line, then tie another one with a uni knot, then a 24 to 36 flory leader, my bait is the long leader, on the loose swivel, i tie about 8 inches of 8 lb mono, and the cheapest sinkers I can but usually 1/2 ounce and up. The fish wont fewel the bait because it just pulls awy, because the sinker is no cause for drag, this works great in open water, dont use it much in brush , and in some case a small carolina float will go on in front of my bait.

[LarryG]

scuze da speling!

[DJD]

I'm with zx150 on the knott, i use it on everything.

[Bronze_Back]

I agree with most everything everyone else has said on how to rig the Carolina rig. This is my most productive way to fish. I use 17lb for both. I fish it pretty fast, just keeping the weight in contact with the bottom or anything else on the bottom. I have good success even fishing it through brush piles, and I seldom get snagged. Most of the time I have to retie because of nicks in the line not because of hang ups. I use a Palomar knot on all three knots. One thing you need to do is start out tying your leader to the swivel first, that way you don't have to run your rod and reel back through the loop.

Bronze_Back

[Wormin]

Palamar at both sides of the swivel and a clinch knot at the hook. That way if I get hung up at the hook the clinch knot usally breaks first and the leader is still there a new hook and your back in the water.