Really been getting into using Carolina Rig and was just curious what you guy had to say about the topic. Also how long of a leader do you like and what size tungsten weight? And lastly swivel size. Thanks in advance.

Some guys use monofilament some use flourocarbon. I personally use flourocarbon because it has less stretch than mono so your hooksets far away from the boat and in deeper water are more likely going to be stronger. I like flourocarbon too because of the invisibility in clearer water and it's just what I have confidence in. I would not use a tungsten sinker for a C rig strictly because it's easy to lose the set up. I use either just a egg sinker in 3/4 or 1 ounce weights. Depending on how deep I'm fishing. And the swivel just big enough and stout enough for your line and weights. I'd make the leader 2ft in the colder water and around 4 even 5 ft in the summer and spring months. Hope this helps!! Oh and when you're dragging the rig on the bottom I'd run the line on your index finger or whatever is comfortable for you so that you feel the bites better. It's helped me land A LOT more fish. Good luck.

Thanks Tyler. Very good info.
Thanks Frank. I knew there had to be lots of info on the subject

I personally use McCoys Mean Green, because it floats. I use as light of a weight as I can get by with and still feel what is going on. Sometimes that is a 1/2, sometimes a 3/4 or in the wind a 1 or 1.25 oz. wt. I use the biggest swivels I can get my hands on, as it helps to add to the weight that I try to reduce. Over grass, I rig a 1/4 oz weight with a big swivel and basically split shot it. GREAT technique to get to fish over the top of grass, if that ever occurs. Hope this helps. Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I do not use fluoro as it sinks, if you want to have your bait rise off the bottom, McCoys has silicone as one of the copolymer ingredients, that is why it makes suce great topwater line, too. Just some thoughts on C-rigging. OH, forgot the length issue. I use a longer leader in hot weather and a shorter leader in winter. Winter as little as 18-24", summer more like 4-5', so let the fish tell you what they want.

tr

The weight depends on depth and wind or current. As Thad suggested, I like to use the lightest weight I can get by with. You have to stay in touch with your bait at all times and maintain bottom contact. And though swivels will reduce line twist (which isn't a big problem and can easily be corrected between casts), I prefer to use two Carolina keepers instead of a swivel. This allows you to only have one knot at the hook instead of 3 knots. I use two because one will slip on the cast. And it allows you to easily adjust your leader length without having to re-tie. I've always used leaders between 18"-30". I've seen many fishermen have success with the long 4-5' leaders but personally I have never had much luck with a leader longer than 30" or so.

Try drifting a C rig over points and parallel to points, or over structure like humps. Let out about double what a normal cast would be. Then relax with your beverage of choice dragging the C rig raising and lowering your rod tip every 30 sec's or so. Its a relaxing way to fish and I've caught some bucket mouths using this technique. And you get to have double the fun when you land one on the long line.

Spro swivel, 12#mono, 3/4 0z wt and #2 wide gap hook. Want your bait to suspend and fall back slow. I use a 2-3 foot leader.

I go no swivel. Here is my setup from closest to rod on down to the bait

Barrel weight
Metal clacker
Glass bead
Carolina keeper (which makes my leader adjustable, no retying swivels)

2-4 foot leader

Whatever bait I choose. Usually baby brush hog or a GB Rattlesnake

Agree with the lighter weight in grass (if you can find any) but in open water on deep structure I like a 1 oz weight. Part of what makes a c-rig so effective is the big weight banging around kicking up silt as you drag it. I rarely use anything less than 1 oz if I am fishing any deeper than 8 feet.