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
Features: The Gary Yamamoto Senko is the original soft plastic bass fishing stickbait. Design that popularized the incredibly effective soft plast...
View full details5.0 / 5.0
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View full detailsI have had great results with the joy stick. It works well on a drop shot or a shakey head, and can wackey rigged as well. I think the rabbit ears add to the presentation and the donkey sauce scent draws them in. The only negative is the durability, they only last 2 or 3 bites before tearing.
These have replaced the Streakz for me as my favorite Topwater Bait. Subtle twitch and walk the dog when fished with a 4/0 EWG hook. It skip casts well and I can put it where most never fish. Sometimes I even yank them out from back there. 30 pound straight Braid gives you a chance. Of course, great on a Chatterbait, like it was made for them😎
good baits, l catch seven fish in two days on one bait