ALL DAY. EVERY DAY.
ALL DAY. EVERY DAY.
The Carolina rig is actually very similar to the Texas rig in terms of how the plastic bait is rigged onto the hook, the main difference between the two is the weight; by definition, a Carolina rig must use some sort of weight (Texas rigs can be fished weightless) and the position of the weight is always somewhere on the leader between 3 and 18 inches above the hook/plastic - it is never pegged right to the hook.
By keeping the weight above the lure, the rig produces an entirely different action than a Texas rig, creating more of a circular swimming motion as the lure descends through the water column or is retrieved along or near the bottom back to the angler.
Another notable difference between Texas and Carolina rigs related to weight is size. Unless punching through cover, many situations where you fish a Texas rig only require weights between 1/16 ounce and 1/2 ounce (or no weight at all). While Carolina rigs will typically use at least a 3/8 ounce weight, and sometimes as heavy as 2 ounces or more depending on what species you are targeting and water conditions.
For soft baits, there a wide range of options that pair well with Carolina rigging - ribbontail worms, stick baits, soft jekbaits, lizards, creatures, and craws are all good choices for this rig. This means you can pair whatever size and profile bait is best for the given situation.
To your mainline add a sinker using an egg, bullet, or cylindrical-shaped weight. Behind that add a bead then tie to a swivel. Decide on a leader both in type and length. At the end of your leader tie on a worm hook or EWG worm hook big enough to accommodate whatever size plastic you have chosen.
The Carolina rig is typically fished by casting then dragging the rig across your target area along or near the bottom. To properly drag the rig, you want to position your rod parallel to the surface of the water and use a sweeping motion to move the lure over the target area you are fishing. No need to jerk the rig, just a nice smooth sweep will work.
How to Rig and Fish the Carolina Rig
How to Fish the Carolina Rig
The Perfect Carolina Rig Combo
5.0 / 5.0
9 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog is a 4 inch, frog soft plastic-inspired soft plastic creature bait. Like soft plastic frog, but designe...
View full details5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Pro Lizard is a 6 inch soft plastic lizard bait. Same lizard design bass anglers have been using to slay bass for dec...
View full details5.0 / 5.0
3 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Flying Squirrel is a 5 inch soft plastic creature bait designed by Pro Staff member Jeff Kriet. End sections of the Kr...
View full details5.0 / 5.0
4 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Battle Bug is a 5 inch soft plastic creature bait. First signature shape developed by Pro Staff member Mike McClelland...
View full details4.71 / 5.0
7 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Creature Bait is a classic Brush Hog-style soft plastic creature bait. Deadly flipping and punching bait. Tails, arms...
View full details5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
Features: The Big Bite Baits Soft Super Salt Trick Stick is a 5 inch soft plastic stickbait made using extra salty and extra soft plastisol. Uses ...
View full detailsNice small pond or creek mini chatterbait. I’ve caught a lot of fish using this series.
This color works great with your bruised Green pumpkin and black and blues. Or fish these on their own and the fish eat it up!