So why choose a Carolina Rig over a T-Rig or vice versa?

 

 

 

 

I have water that is about 1 to 6 feet deep with a good amount of weeds that I would like to try to use a weighted T-Rig, unweighted T-Rig, or Carolina Rig with Zoom Super Hogs (because I heard they glide through weeds well) with but not sure which one to try.

 

 

 

 

 

Also, instead of a barrel swivel with a Carolina Rig why don't people just peg the weight about 12-15" inches above the hook with two bobber stops?

A C-rig w/ swivel, the ideal is using a heavier main line while using a lighter line ( mono ) or copoly) thereby allowing two fold, leader lenght, and choice of pound test. This allows you're bait to potentially float & allows easier break offs on snags. This is the way I use a C-Rig. It's a good way to probe and discover structure, and locate fish.

A Texas rig is used to fish a target area, a Carolina rig is more of a search rig used to cover water with a soft plastic.  If you are going to fish a certain area like a specific weed bed or a bluff bank then you'll use the Texas rig, if you are trying to locate fish across a large grass flat or tapering point, then you'll use the Carolina rig. While you can use bobber stops to hold a weight for a Carolina rig it really isn't a good choice, the reason is the stops will get moved, unlike pegging a bullet weight above a hook, the weight on a Carolina rig has more area to move and will hit the stops with more force causing them to move. Using a swivel allows you to make rigs up ahead of time and it also serves as a secure stop for a bead and weight to bang against to create sound but if you don't want to use the swivel there is a product that is better than bobber stops. The thing you want is a Carolina keeper, it is a little piece of plastic and you squeeze it with pliers and it will open for you to put your line through, it holds very well, I use them a lot as it allows a quick way to get a Carolina rig ready to fish.

 

http://www.basspro.com/Carolina-Keeper/product/23166/

For the scenario you mention, either a T-Rig or split shot rig will get the job done depending on whether or not you want your presentation on the bottom or not.  The biggest difference between the rigs you menton, both in the physical set up and in the presentation of the bait itself, is the distance of the weight in relation to the bait itself.  The use of a bait that floats, adds to the effectiveness of a C-Rig as it will stay off the bottom the majority of the time.  Use of a swivel, aside from allowing the use of different strengths or types of line, assists in keeping line twist to a minimum.  Ask anyone that uses a split shot rig or Carolina Keeper where a swivel isn't included and they will tell you that line twist can turn a productive presentation into a nightmare after extensive use.  Rigging a bait Texas style without any weight can end up with the same situation.

For the scenario you mention, either a T-Rig or split shot rig will get the job done depending on whether or not you want your presentation on the bottom or not. The biggest difference between the rigs you menton, both in the physical set up and in the presentation of the bait itself, is the distance of the weight in relation to the bait itself. The use of a bait that floats, adds to the effectiveness of a C-Rig as it will stay off the bottom the majority of the time. Use of a swivel, aside from allowing the use of different strengths or types of line, assists in keeping line twist to a minimum. Ask anyone that uses a split shot rig or Carolina Keeper where a swivel isn't included and they will tell you that line twist can turn a productive presentation into a nightmare after extensive use. Rigging a bait Texas style without any weight can end up with the same situation.

Why does a amT-Rig with a weight not have twisting issues?

So in my situation would you use a weighted T-Rig or weightless?

Why does a amT-Rig with a weight not have twisting issues?

So in my situation would you use a weighted T-Rig or weightless?

 

Take a weighted Texas rig Zoom brush hog and reel it in fast giving twitches and you'll notice it stays pretty much straight, now take the same bait rigged the same way except for the weight and reel it fast and/or give it twitches. It it same deal with a fluke, a fluke has more action weightless but it will also twit your line and the same for any soft plastic fished without weight. You solution at the depth you are fishing would be a Texas rig, a C-rig you are covering water like I mentioned but after re-reading your post I'm beginning to think you may have a soft bottom and if that is the case, then you don't want a c-rig.

Take a weighted Texas rig Zoom brush hog and reel it in fast giving twitches and you'll notice it stays pretty much straight, now take the same bait rigged the same way except for the weight and reel it fast and/or give it twitches. It it same deal with a fluke, a fluke has more action weightless but it will also twit your line and the same for any soft plastic fished without weight. You solution at the depth you are fishing would be a Texas rig, a C-rig you are covering water like I mentioned but after re-reading your post I'm beginning to think you may have a soft bottom and if that is the case, then you don't want a c-rig.

Soft bottom.

So should I use a weighted or unweighted T-Rig?

Take a look at this sites video's on the Mojo rig. Pegged Mojo weight is what you are looking for.

A Texas rig uses a sliding bulled weight, the worn rigged weedless Texas style. In shallow weeds you may want the weight pegged (Florida rig) so you don't loose contact with the soft plastic.

Finesse C-rig or slip shot rig is a C-rig without a swivel, the weight is held back by the Carolina Keeper style stopper.

Tom

I always use a bullet weight 1/4 ounce because I'm either casting far from the bank targeting a deeper channel with tons of vegetation or thru light vegetation near the banks.

In your specific situation, I would use a t-rig weighted with a very small weight. Like a 1/4oz or smaller tungsten. This will give you enough weight and control to cast and work the lure, but still be light and compact enough not to bury itself in the grass too thick.

Either that or just throw a weightless senko and be done with it.

I always use a bullet weight 1/4 ounce because I'm either casting far from the bank targeting a deeper channel with tons of vegetation or thru light vegetation near the banks.

  

In your specific situation, I would use a t-rig weighted with a very small weight. Like a 1/4oz or smaller tungsten. This will give you enough weight and control to cast and work the lure, but still be light and compact enough not to bury itself in the grass too thick.

Either that or just throw a weightless senko and be done with it.

Would you guys peg the weight?