Hey everybody,

I'm looking to try a bit of Carolina rigs this year and I was wondering what kind of baits do you prefer to throw? I've watched a decent amount of YouTube videos and I've seen people use everything from senkos, to lizards, to 10" ribbon tails.

What is everybody's preference when it comes to c-rigging?

I personally prefer lizards most of the time. However there are situations( fishing pressure, weather patterns, seasonal patterns) that dictacte other baits on the leader. I have a brother that will only use Flukes most of the time.  I have a buddy that will ONLY use a 10" green pumpkin worm.( His stubborness has led to many defeats in my boat). I have used, successfully. a square bill crankbait tied on to a C-Rig in twenty two feet of water when the fish were suspended close to bottom. I have used 10" worms successfully in deep or heavily stained water. I have used six inch worms with lighter line and weights when a more "finesse' approach was needed. My main three rods I have on my deck at all times are my C-Rig, Texas Rig, and Flippin Stick. In that order 90% of the time. I love to C-Rig and exhaustively read articles on the technique. What it basically boils down to is confidence. The ability to "map" the bottom with this rig is awesome. I personally use 3/4 ounce to 1 ounce sinkers with tickers most of the time and braided line. My leader is usually mono, sometimes flouro. You will hear numerous opinions on all the aspects of the C-Rig. I suggest you research it fully, make a sound decision from the input provided and  experiment, experiment, experiment, Good luck and have fun!.

BTW-you can buy a fairly large jar of the glass beads at Hobby Lobby. I bought a jar about five years ago for around twelve dollars. It's still about half full. There are different colors but I prefer the jar with the black and clear beads.

Lizard when fish are active, smaller ringworm, finesse worm, or centipede when they are turned off. Had good success on a mojo rig last year with the centipede when it was hot in the middle of the summer.

I usually go with a lizard, brush hog or hula grub. Pretty much anything I would T-rig, I will also C-rig.

Zoom ultra vibe speed craws and Rage Tail Smokin Rooster.

French Fry

I use a light 1/8oz. Carolina rig in the 10' depth or less. I use senkos, brushogs, creature baits mainly. I use a blocker on my brass weight too. I twitch the rod tip up 2" and down 2" as it falls working the knocker. My senko is wacky rigged too.

Arkie twin tail hula grub... I pinch off the skirt and just throw the twin tailed grub... that bait is so much different than anything the bass has ever seen before. and if im trying to really finesse a Carolina rig with a lighter weight its hard to beat a zoom trick worm

I throw a baby brush hog most if the time and therefore have caught the most fish on it.

I've experimented and have had success with Zoom 6" lizard and Rage Craw. I went out yesterday and tried a Lake Fork ring fry (French fry bait) and hooked two. I tried a trick worm, but it strangely tore after a few casts (don't think it was from bites).

After researching, I'm curious about flukes and senkos. Will have to try them next time.

Lizards and French fries are what I use the most but every soft plastic I have tried has worked.

 

Allen