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Carolina Rig
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This is great for probing areas for bass and loading the boat under the right conditions. To start with I use a 6 1/2 Med Hvy casting rod and a high capacity reel with a medium gear ratio. From the reel I use 20 - 30 lb braid line connected to a brass weight and beads. Use brass rather than lead, lead doesn’t resonate when it strikes rock and structure the way brass does. This brass leader and beads is then connected to a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader - "up to" 2-3 feet in length. I generally don't skimp out on this part. Going back to the brass weight, I like to use a 1/2 to 1 ounce brass weight with beads and a clacker. Remember, we are generally using this rig to probe for bass and in most situations going to be casting pretty far - hence the heavier weight.
The key to a carolina rig is to cast it, again, "generally" in deeper water, especially over structure. When I say structure, I mean drop offs, humps, and creek channels. My preferred bait is a six inch curly tail or paddle tail worm in red, purple, blue, and black colors. Another really great bait to use with a carolina rig is a lizard. Bass hate lizards! What you want to do is cast it just beyond where you think the bass might be, for example a submerged hump. Then slowly drag it back over or adjacent to the structure. If you don't get any bites after the first 2-3 casts, try to vary your retrieve by hopping it, or lifting your rod tip all the way up and then reeling in any slack so you can see and feel the line. What you are doing here is trying to figure out what the bass wants in a bait (slow, fast, hopping, falling bait). You really want to be able to feel the bottom at all times, this is another reason why you want to go with a heavier weight.
Boat position is key. When on a point or over a hump, know which direction the wind is blowing and if there is any current and which direction the current is moving. Where are the baitfish going to be pushed up against or which direction will they be swimming from? Position your boat down current and facing the current or wind direction and cast beyond the point or hump. Begin by using a 45 degree angle in front of the boat and still adjacent to the point or submerged structure. Hit all key areas, over the hump, to the side of the hump, or next to a patch of weeds that are in the same location. I like to "Cherry Pick" when I start fishing a new spot and hit what I think to be the best areas first.
Bass are ambush predators and will be locating themselves in places where they can move the least to catch prey as they swim by or are pushed in by the wind or current. When times are really tough and you are using a carolina rig, try downsizing your bait to a 4 inch paddle tail worm or a Berkley Powerbait lizard. Appeal to their senses by using a good scent or attractant and work the bait slower than you normally would.
What
rig to use:
- Rod: 6 1/2 ft Med Hvy casting rod.
- Reel: high capacity reel with a medium gear ratio.
- Line: 20 - 30lb Braid Line with a 10lb fluorocarbon
leader.
- Weights: Brass Weights with beads and a clacker
By: JD
Lunker USA
http://www.lunkerusa.com
Links for items mentioned in article:
Berkley
Powerbait Lizard
Berkley
Fluorocarbon Leader Line
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