I think I understand the difference between the two rigs, but why is the c-rigged so much better for fishing deep water?  Couldn't you just t-rig with heavy bullet weight and peg it?  Don't you achieve the same thing?  I know when using the swivel and beed when c-rigging, you get a little clicking that is suppose to attract the bass, but other than that, any big difference I'm missing?

The T-rig is fine where you want the worm hugging bottom or swimming through slop. If you use a floating worm on a C-rig the worm stays above the slop where bass above the slop can see it, assuming the leader is longer than the slop is tall. In that case you can suspend a floating worm without moving it forward, yet impart action in place, above bottom clutter. You can't stall a T-rigged worm over bottom clutter. It'll sink out of sight.

Jim

With a c-rig, you are covering alot more water. (or I should say most who use a c-rig have a very long leader)

You can also fish the water column ALOT easier with a c-rig, since the bait falls so slowly.

so take the bullet weight on your t-rig and peg it 2-3 feet above the hook?  I suppose you then just easily converted your t-rig to a c-rig.  Guess I should have been more specific in the first post.  Is the swivel in  a C-rig of much importance?

No, you can do that too. I do it alot esp. when I am feeling lazy lol. You just use a toothpick end to hold the t-rig weight

The reason you c-rig is the line and the leader usually aren't the same line strength. Plus using the c-rig if you break off, you still have the barrel swivel (again usually)

The swivel is needed to keep an unweighted worm from twisting the leader when swimming. A bullet sinker pegged T-rig worm pretty much swims straight. A big advantage of the C-rig over a T-rig is a bass can pull the main line through the unpegged sinker, eating it better before feeling resistance. Your line begins to tighten up gradually without the bass lifting the sinker off bottom. If the sinker lifts because of being pegged the bass is more likely to drop the bait from feeling the resistance before eating it deep enough for a hookset. I consider the C-rig a more finesse presentation for that reason (or use the rig as a power presentation covering ground quickly), while a bass immediately engages a T-rig sinker and is more likely to spit it out before you feel him. You have more time to set the hook on a C-rig when the bite is light. Lots of times a bass will be several feet off course from the main line before I even suspect a bass has the bait. In that case I would hope to notice the line travelling sideways from where it should be.

I got away from using toothpicks to peg a sinker, getting some break-offs from line pinching. I run 80# mono through the sinker a time or three to fill the gap, pulling the mono loops at each end down into the sinker, pinning the main line inside it. Clip the loop ends off leaving a little against the bait so a needlenose plier can remove the pegging line to re-use the sinker. Toothpicks tend to get stuck permanently, a costly problem when using tungsten sinkers.

Jim

ouchita.......

Nice explanation of the C rig weight. Allows a fish to pick up the bait with out feeling the weight.

There are times of the year, it will benefit you to use a shorter leader.

I say this alot, but the texas rig and multiple weights, or none at all, and c rigs with 18 inch leaders to 7 ft. are just different tools for different situations.

When fish finish spawning, they will usually suspend off bottom to recooperate, a carolina rigged floating bait will stay in the strikezone longer than a Tex rig that falls to the bottom.     Or maybe the droppshot is the better tool.

Each has it rightfull place, and on given days, each can out perform the other.   Its good to be versitale with both.

Hookem

Matt

thanks guys, I appreciate it.  As far as the weight goes, do you prefer a bullet weight versus an egg sinker for different circumstances.  Or is it mainly just a bullet weight?

Early spring has weeds short as they emerge, so yes, a shorter leader is better. But as weeds grow taller the leader must lengthen to keep the basit visible above it. Once the weeds get about 3 feet tall I go to the drop shot, a 3 foot long leader about the longest I'd want to lob out there. reserving the C-rig for clean bottoms deeper where I begin to use not only worms but hard floating jerkbaits.

I wouldn't use a bullet sinker where wood is present, as that sinker will wedge in the slightest fork or splinter, getting tighter the harder you pull. It's better suited to soft weeds, parting the plants better. I use an egg sinker where the rounded shoulder will glide over round rocks and gravel and has the mass to part soft wood or hard plants. Once the shoulder passes the thing can spit out of a cramped spot. A long slightly curved Lindy sinker is better suited for jagged rocks, spanning between crevaces, and easily lifted out of cracks once the line is moved vertically over a hang-up.

Jim