*Wondering what you are currently using as a Carolina Rig mainline + leader ? Line type , size , etc. and do you use a mono or co-poly leader to help float the soft plastic you are using ?

I know everybody like something different and much of it depends on the lake you fish.

My lakes are generally not super clear so I use a braid main line. Usually about 30 lbs braid to a 15 lbs fluro or mono leader. Despite what you hear, unless you have a floating type bait, the leader is not going to float your bait. It usually just drags on the bottom behind the sinker. I have tested it in my swimming pool.

Straight mono here.  Typically 12 or 14 pound

OP here : I have gravel and rocks in the highland reservoir I fish so was thinking something like #15 lb. AbrazX mainline and #10 lb. P-Line  C-XX  co-poly leader using Z-man finesse worms or a Z-man StreakZ fluke . I could also probably use a variety of Zoom soft plastics too (may not matter so much on a C-Rig) .

I throw 15-20lb fluoro to a 12 lbs mono leader. I also fish a highland reservoir with lots of gravel and shell beds and such. You should be fine with what you're thinking. Cxx is pretty stout for it's lb rating.

15 hours ago, ohboyitsrobby said:

I throw 15-20lb fluoro to a 12 lbs mono leader. I also fish a highland reservoir with lots of gravel and shell beds and such. You should be fine with what you're thinking. Cxx is pretty stout for it's lb rating.

Thanks - I have #12 lb. C-XX I can also use as a leader .

On 5/1/2020 at 3:13 AM, mrpao said:

Despite what you hear, unless you have a floating type bait, the leader is not going to float your bait. It usually just drags on the bottom behind the sinker. I have tested it in my swimming pool.

This is true, I just Use straight 14 lb Sunline Structure Flourocarbon with two Carolina keepers no leader less points of failure.

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.  Never used them again.  The line  was dry but I figured if I got hung there was a possibility of damage so I didn’t trust them.

4 minutes ago, jbrew73 said:

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.

My experience too. I have also noticed that they are the weakest link as breakoffs when using them happen at the keeper. 

 

I have since switched to peg bobber stops and havent looked back.

On 5/2/2020 at 12:17 PM, jbrew73 said:

How do you like the Carolina keeper? I moved mine once and it “burned “ the line.  Never used them again.  The line  was dry but I figured if I got hung there was a possibility of damage so I didn’t trust them.

I've gone back to braid w/ swivel and a mono leader. The keepers work ok but once you hang up and it slides on the line a few times it seems more prone to random breaks on the sweep. I lost a couple like that last year so I'm back to prerigging leaders around a pool noodle for quick reties on the water. Braid w/ steel egg weights and I feel everything.