masterS series
The Carolina rig is a great tool for catching big fish if it ’ s presented slowly and patiently .
lures
For most of my Carolina rigging , I use three baits : ( 1 ) A small creature bait like the Zoom Tiny Brush Hog or 4-inch Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Game Hawg ; ( 2 ) A big creature bait like the Zoom Super Hog or Strike King Magnum Game Hawg ; and ( 3 ) A big plastic worm like the 10.5-inch Zoom Ol ’ Monster or 10-inch Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Bullworm .
In the late winter and early spring , I like the small creature bait . After the spawn , I use the big creature and big worm . My favorite colors depend a lot upon water clarity , and I usually go with translucent colors like watermelon and watermelon candy in clear water , green pumpkin or junebug in stained water , and junebug or blueberry in dirty water .
the basics
For me , a basic presentation with a Carolina rig starts with a long cast . I think a long cast is important because it gets the lure away from the boat , away from any sonar “ pinging ,” and it keeps them from being unnecessarily spooked .
As soon as the bait hits the water , I start to count it down . It ’ ll sink at a rate of about 2 feet per second . Once the rig hits the bottom , I ’ ll take up any slack and put myself in direct contact with the sinker . That ’ s critical ; you never want to lose contact with the weight .
I hold my rod tip at about 10 o ’ clock , and I face where my line enters the water . I slowly drag the sinker by moving the rod to my right ( I ’ m right-handed ). Each pull moves the sinker about two feet across the bottom . I generally fish faster in shallow water where there ’ s more light and the fish can probably see the bait better and slower in deep water , but you have to figure out what they want every time out . Generally , I believe a slow retrieve is best .
I always drag the sinker . I don ’ t hop it . I want it to come into contact with everything on the bottom , and when I feel it hit something like rocks or brush or anything different , I slow down or even stop . That ’ s when you ’ re most likely to get bit .
When I get a strike , I use the length of my rod to sweep the hook into the fish . That ’ s another place where the long rod is a big advantage .
bonus
The biggest mistake I see from anglers throwing a Carolina rig is that they fish it too fast . Most often , another angler in my boat will make three casts to my one , but I ’ ll catch a lot more – and a lot bigger – fish . I have a saying : The longer you leave the bait in a spot , the bigger the bass is going to be .
I think that ’ s one of the reasons that traditional power fishermen have trouble with the Carolina rig . They can ’ t slow down enough to be effective with it . Finesse anglers , on the other hand , understand that slower is usually better .
58 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022