Items Needed:
Assortment of Sinkers Types Bullet or Egg
(Lead, Brass or Steel)
1/8 – 3/16 – 1/4 oz for shallow water or 4″ to 6″ soft plastic’s
3/8 – 1/2 – 3/4 – 1 oz for deeper water or larger 6″+ soft plastic’s
Swivels
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. Sizes 5-6-7 Are large enough to stop the sliding weight.
Offset Worm Hooks
1/0-2/0 – Small Soft Plastic’s
3/0-4/0 – 5/0 Larger Soft Plastic’s
Lures
Just about any type of soft plastic baits
The Carolina rig is a popular and effective way to rig for bass. Just about any soft plastic can be used when Carolina rigging.
About
It is a successful method of soft plastic bait presentation in all depths of water, its only limitation is certain types of cover that you are trying to move it through. For example areas of extreme weeds or brush don’t lend themselves to the usage of a Carolina rig. Areas were the bottom is made up of rocks and boulders that are very close together is another area where the rig is sure to get caught up.
Fishing with a Carolina rig you can see why they are so effective as the rig is drawn across the bottom the soft plastic bait will move side to side upward and downward bumping weeds and bouncing off rocks. Cast and retrieve slow is the key for a successful presentation. A bite on a Carolina rig can be a subtle tap, twitch or pressure on the line in setting the hook use a forceful snap of the rod ensuring the embeded hook point travels through the body of the soft plastic bait.
The Carolina rig is basically a modified Texas rig with a few additions and similar to a sliding sinker bottom rig used for walleyes.
How to Rig
- Determine the leader length, 18″ to 36″ is the most common, the general rule is 18 inches of leader per 10 feet of water.
- Tie your hook on to the leader on the other end tie on your swivel using a Palomar or Improved Clinch Knot for both.
- Slip on the sinker on your main line, if your using a bullet weight be sure the point is facing the rod tip.
- Slip on a glass bead, this adds sound that attracts bass and acts as a insulator protecting the knot from the banging of the weight.
- Tie on the leader to the other side of the swivel using a Palomar or Improved Clinch Knot.
- In rigging your soft plastic’s on the hook use the same procedure as the Texas Rig.
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