Carolina Rig

[Nolin Addict]

Sweep and reel it up, but I was gowing to slow down quite a bit this weekend. Is that a good bet?

[harryprocraft]

I thought you would use a spider jig? HA!HA! getting jacked up for the weekend!!!

hope you got a report by the time i get there

[artcarney_agr]

Sweep and reel it up, but I was gowing to slow down quite a bit this weekend. Is that a good bet?

That's what I would do. I drag it along the bottom in a slow sideways motion...best way to fish it is sitting down, just drag it along, reel up the slack, then drag it a little more.

I prefer a steel weight, as it makes more noise than lead. It's also a little more bulky, which makes it tend roll over the rocks rather than wedge in.

A lizard or brush hawg is what I prefer - something with appendages that can move the water and put out vibration. I can't say I've ever used a tube, but I have used spider grubs with great success on smallmouth - the spotted bass like those spider grubs as well.

[JimDi]

I have had good success on Nolin with a carolina rig. I use a 3/4 oz steel weight and a zoom lizard. You can really cover some water, but not get in a hurry when dragging it.

I usually start moving it at various speeds and distances depending on what they want.

[09Z7SC]

I use a brass 3/4oz weight with two glass beads. Makes a hell of a clicking sound. Usually pull a green pumpkin chigger craw or creature bait behind it really slow.

[Nolin Addict]

Thanks for all or your input. Unfortunately I did not get anything on the Carolina Rig as hoped. I did however catch several on a Spinnerbait and small crankbaits. Before going, I thought things would be slow but to my surprise fishing was very good. There were a couple of other boats with my party and all did well. The only downside for me, my largest was just over 14". My nephew wore me out pretty good. Caught several right at the limit and a couple over 15". The othere boats caught a few over 15" as well, my youngest brother caught one at 19", unfortunately no weights.

Thanks again for all of your advice. I will be throwing the Carolina Rig quite a bit more.

[Carter1]

Put a piece of styrofoam in the tube to make it float.

[IronWorker]

You might want to try a C-Rigging a tube for the mere fact that it wont float. I fish a C-Rigged 5.0 in. flipping tube (black body w red flake) on Kentucky & Barkley and always seem to do real good with it. My thoughts are it is something the fish arent familiar with in terms of it being a non-floating bait and not having the bad experience of previously getting hooked with a non-floating bait.

[cpsniper05]

Im new to C-rigging myself, never tried it. I guess because I was raised T-rigging. However, the thought and philosophy of C-rigging sounds much better than T-rigging but I guess its preference. I have a couple questions for you guys.

1) Is better to keep your plastic weedless or non weedless, or does it make much difference?
2) When do you set the hook? Do you set the hook when you feel a bite or do you try and wait untill the fish is swimming with it? I have always done the later when T-rigging and didnt know if it made much of a difference.

Ill take any information you guys are willing to share. Thanks and happy fishing season!!

[Todd2]

[QUOTE=cpsniper05;483920 However, the thought and philosophy of C-rigging sounds much better than T-rigging but I guess its preference.

IMO, one is not a total replacement for the other. T-rig shines in heavy cover (like a jig), C-Rig is probably better when trying to cover some water. Now, some will disagree, but I really like those carolina keepers, you can adjust your leader length and even switch from a t-rig to a c-rig quickly.


I rig both weedless. Good luck...