stepping knee deep into the lake Saturday felt like enter a bath.  it was warm feeling.  75 on my fish finder.   the morning air by comparison was chilly. 

 

so trying to think like a bass, i figured early morning they might be shallow and feeding.  as the sun gets higher, i think they go deep.   i am actually thinking about trying the carolina-rig.   i am not an expert on it.   i am thinking the bait of my choosing gets to float and act freely of the weight.  and i can therefor choose a heavier weight to pull the entire set up down quicker with no negative side effects to the soft plastic i am dragging.  

 

is the tiny ball swivel still the standard?  i seem to remember some carolina sleeves you pinch open with pliers and insert line and let out enough tag end to tie the hook.  (carolina keepers??   did i dream it?)  i hate tying more knots than i need.  

Yep, it still works… and at times and certain locations better than anything else. 
 

But it is a lot to tie on and an effort to cast. I spend time using more search baits to know the conditions are right for a C-rig before tying on and slinging the old ball and chain. 
 

Long points that extend into the water. Gravel bars, rock/rubble flats. Ha, dragging bottom contact lures used to be how we used to “read the bottom” before electronics in the old days. 
 

But if you’re unfamiliar with a body of water, or think you have the right conditions for C-rigging, but want to know if anyone is home first before rigging one on… I can cover a lot of water quicker first with a Strike King Jointed Structure Head, or even a football jig. If I knock and they are home, then I try to pick as many off as I can that way. The triangular head is great to feel for rocks, but the point also comes through weeds better than your typical football head. 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Jointed_Structure_Head_2pk/descpage-SKJSH.html?_gl=1*74al8d*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA
 

Once the bite slows down or I want to come back later and target the bigger ones, then I string up the Carolina Rig with a 3/4 oz tungsten weight and chuck a Flying Squirrel. The tails float and undulate really well at rest and between drags. Works better than any C-rig plastic I’ve ever used. 
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Jeff_Kriet_-_Flying_Squirrel_7pk/descpage-BBBFSQR.html?_gl=1*21qfda*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA

Carolina keepers and sinker/bobber stops will work in lieu of the traditional swivel. I've also used peg-its and toothpicks to secure a bead or small bullet weight without adding additional knots (this method adds a little noise to the rig), or you can use them to secure the main weight itself.

Yea for sure. I use a Lindy no snag sinker and a Carolina keeper . Always produces 

my store didnt carry the keepers.  i bought (GAG) some swivels.  going old school.  

 

not going to TW, cuz i would by $6 bucks worth of keepers and $44 worth of other stuff to get the free shipping

4 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Yep, it still works… and at times and certain locations better than anything else. 
 

But it is a lot to tie on and an effort to cast. I spend time using more search baits to know the conditions are right for a C-rig before tying on and slinging the old ball and chain. 
 

Long points that extend into the water. Gravel bars, rock/rubble flats. Ha, dragging bottom contact lures used to be how we used to “read the bottom” before electronics in the old days. 
 

But if you’re unfamiliar with a body of water, or think you have the right conditions for C-rigging,

 

So what would you say are the right conditions for carolina rigging?  It's a technique where I've caught a few fish, but it isn't something I do unless I've struck out elsewhere.  I think there is a lake or two around me that lays out well for it, but I've never done it there.

I keep one tied on all the time post spawn.  I’m old school with homemade sinker, bead, swivel and leader.  I normally use it on flats if the jig isn’t working.

I keep 2 or3 tied on year round fishing our lakes.A Carolina rig is money down here.

In the mostly shallow Florida waters I fish, I’ve used a c-rig on a heavy rod, 3/4oz, 10in ol' monster worm to a bfs c-rig with 3/32oz and a 3in gyb ned senko. Forget “right” conditions and convention regarding the c-rig, it’s highly adaptable with room for creativity, and it's a co-angler/back-seaters best friend. Luv me some riggin!

3 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

So what would you say are the right conditions for carolina rigging?  It's a technique where I've caught a few fish, but it isn't something I do unless I've struck out elsewhere.  I think there is a lake or two around me that lays out well for it, but I've never done it there.

Best conditions are post-spawn.. summer into Fall on flats, gravel, smaller marble to volleyball sized rocks, tapering points, ledges… any hard bottom without a lot of weeds.  I typically target 7-15 fow but many go deeper. Would go to 1 oz weight beyond 15 feet.

7 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

 

Just to clarify, that is a Minnesota bass. Not a southern version. Details matter.

A Carolina Rig only works on days that have the sun rise in the east.

Ice out, uh huh

PreSpawn yup

Spawn... heck yes

Post spawn well duh

Fall...  yes.

 

Think of it this way.  Little critters living on the bottom don't naturally move up then crash down like a jig or something with a weight attached to the hook.  Although those definitely work, you understand what I am saying.  A Rig delivers a bait (assuming you pick one good for the conditions) in a more natural manner.  Yes i guess they are labor intensive to tie and cast but man they work.

 

 

I bought some stuff.   I'll get it done..

 

you running leader material?  or just clipping a 24" section from the main line and adding terminal tackle in between?

I abandoned the old school C-rig years back just to simplify.

Went with the Mojo rig with bobber stops and also use Peggz depending on what bait is being thrown and how deep.

 

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Best conditions are post-spawn.. summer into Fall on flats, gravel, smaller marble to volleyball sized rocks, tapering points, ledges… any hard bottom without a lot of weeds.  I typically target 7-15 fow but many go deeper. Would go to 1 oz weight beyond 15 feet.

 

Yeah, that’s the conditions on this lake.  No grass, various levels of flats, humps, drop offs, etc and all pretty hard bottom.  Plenty of interesting bottom all the way down to 40’ but pretty soon the thermocline will set up around 15’ or so.  The lake has changed a bunch lately and I I haven’t put as much time in there over the past three years.  With the new boat able to get me around better, I can put the time in.  A c-rig can cover a bunch of water so I’ll have to fish one more.  I’m also a fan of a wobble head so there will be one of those on as well.  

54 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I bought some stuff.   I'll get it done..

 

you running leader material?  or just clipping a 24" section from the main line and adding terminal tackle in between?

I’ve been using an older tatula that I have 15lb braid on. I go braid -> stopper -> weight -> swivel, and then about 20-24” of 12lb flouro and the hook.  The swivel + leader + hook is what I keep a couple of in my bag. 

I haven't fished it a long time. My C-rig fishing has been replaced by the free rig. If I want to make more like a C-rig, I put a bobber stopper on it and move the weight where I please. Another option I have tried is the Decoy Switch weight. It works pretty well but I have yet to put 100% of my trust in the design. 

I was at the fishing store buying some stuff.  the kid selling me things was 20something.  I asked about the C-rig and I got a blank stare.  the entire store laughed at us when I told the guy, "never mind...you're too young to know what a Carolina rig is".  hahah..I am going to try it.   the tube fooled the bass..  I bet the C-rig does as well.  

Bass: "well, what is this new thing?"   nobody fishes it around my lakes.  hoping it comes back like bell-bottoms...  no?

42 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I haven't fished it a long time. My C-rig fishing has been replaced by the free rig. If I want to make more like a C-rig, I put a bobber stopper on it and move the weight where I please. Another option I have tried is the Decoy Switch weight. It works pretty well but I have yet to put 100% of my trust in the design. 

I love the free rig, almost unnaturally.  it produces for me.  

 

I am thinking the Dep Bullflats or Bellows Gill would be beneficial further away from the sinker so they can drift.    or the Snooper Frog!!  I see frogs swimming underwater all the time in the nature settings..  C-Rigging a snooper frog could be dang exciting.  

Any time I get on a mid to deep crankbait bite, I follow up with a C Rig.  Some lakes even I start with the C rig and follow up with the crankbait.  I have zero patience so I use a 1 oz weight, to get down quick, barrel swivel because I'm old school and don't mind tying knots, and a 3.5 to 4.5 foot leader because I like the bait to be a good distance from my heavy weight.  I use four baits.  Zoom Ole monster, Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, 7 inch Senko, or a Magnum Rage Bug.  My baits don't float, and I don't think the bass care.  I use a 7,5 foot rod, and have no problem casting from my kayak sitting down.  Like most things in fishing, it takes some practice, but well worth the effort.  If I'm fishing in 6 foot or less water, am around wood, or other heavy cover, I prefer the T Rig.  Points, humps, cliffs, steep drops, flats, or deep water gets the C Rig.

 

There is a rumor that a C rig with a Skinny Dipper, works on big bass in Mexico, but you didn't hear that from me.  

 

Fish a C Rig with a Floating Rapala and you may get accused of being a walleye angler, but a person catching bass while others are getting skunked could be called far worse.

2 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

Yeah, that’s the conditions on this lake.  No grass, various levels of flats, humps, drop offs, etc and all pretty hard bottom.  Plenty of interesting bottom all the way down to 40’ but pretty soon the thermocline will set up around 15’ or so.  The lake has changed a bunch lately and I I haven’t put as much time in there over the past three years.  With the new boat able to get me around better, I can put the time in.  A c-rig can cover a bunch of water so I’ll have to fish one more.  I’m also a fan of a wobble head so there will be one of those on as well.  

I love fishing a Tokyo Rig in those conditions...

On 6/9/2025 at 4:40 PM, Darth-Baiter said:

my store didnt carry the keepers.  i bought (GAG) some swivels.  going old school.  

 

not going to TW, cuz i would by $6 bucks worth of keepers and $44 worth of other stuff to get the free shipping

All of the Walmart and academy in my area keep these in stock. Sometimes in a random place though. Not sure how different inventory is out your way though. 

Never liked the keepers, they always seemed to move on me. I use a tiny spro power swivel and a 1oz weight if I do it, but most of my lakes are fairly shallow and weedy so I generally prefer a texas rig to keep things compact and moving through cover easier. Hard bottom I prefer a jig. 

5 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Never liked the keepers, they always seemed to move on me. I use a tiny spro power swivel and a 1oz weight if I do it, but most of my lakes are fairly shallow and weedy so I generally prefer a texas rig to keep things compact and moving through cover easier. Hard bottom I prefer a jig. 

me too I think.  I luckily hooked a bigger bass last weekend when I turned my back to shore and casted out into the deep, thinking, "hmmm...wonder if anyone is deep".   the tick was immediate.  

 

got me thinking about the C-rig.  its tied on now.  1/2 tungsten and a swivel.  for the record, an improved clinch knot is not ideal for a spinning swivel.  frustration exercise.  

 

this weekend is ocean fishing, but I'll be back.  (sick day)

1/2 to 3/4 ounce egg sinker, simple ball swivel, 6-8 lbs fluoro leader that's 36" to 50" long. My favorite bait is a four inch Keitech Swing Impact (Electric Shad) on a 2/0 rebarb hook, pinned with a shaved down flat toothpick.