Gentlemen,

After seeing the "Christmas List" post I got to thinking. I'm going to get together a combo for a Carolina rig and see if Santa can deliver.

I am wanting to know what rods and reels you guys use? Brand, length, gear ratio, and also tell me about line selection. I am a novice when is comes to Carolina rigs and there is a ton of stuff out there on it but I'd rather here from you guys.

I know everyone probably has there secret sauce when it comes to this awesome set up but tell me as much as you are willing!

Thanks for the help.

I really like the Dobyns 804c, Carolina rig special. Its and 8' rod and I feel I can get a ton of distance with it. As for reels, I like a 6.3:1 ratio so I can pick up the slack fast and a reel with a larger spool to hold more line. Currently I am using an older curado on mine, but mainly because it has the larger spool.

I know Dobyns can be pricey so im sure others will be on here with more options

The Dobyns mentioned above is an excellent choice but for way less: Falcon Lowrider in the "Lizzard Dragger" model paired with whatever reel you favor now(Revo STX for me). Braid mainline, 1/2-1oz weight(depending on depth/wind), a quality swivel and a few feet of mono or fluorocarbon(another preference thing) for your leader. Finally: put a Baby Brush Hog, Ring Fry or Rattlesnake on an EWG 2/0 hook and you are ready to go! Actually sounds like a lot of stuff doesn't it? :-) This set takes care of 90% of my C-rig fishing. The only change for me will be a heavier leader and hook if upgrading to 10"-12" worms...

I'm pretty new to CRig fishing too.. I'm using a Falcon original medium heavy 7' and a Revo SX. I saw Bill Wilcox fishing Benbrook with it and had to give it a try. I use 30lb braid for main line and 12lb flourocarbon for leader. He used a 1oz sinker.. I have used both a 1oz and a 1/2oz.. I like the 1 better. A chartruese pepper rattlesnake has been my bait of choice. The one thing that I am considering changing is the leader.. mono floats and flouro sinks.. so I think the desired effect is to have the bait floating above the sinker..

He stole my secret sauce... Thats about it man.

Only diff is I add a glass bead between the weight and the swivel. I prefer tungsten weights but its just my preference to me I have better feel of the bottom with tungsten. Dont think it catches more fish than lead and cost much more so go with what you like its no matter.

The OG guys did it with brass weights and called it a "brass and glass" rig where I grew up.

And then I would add play with speeds will you find what they like.

Really great option that works from 5 feet down to 30+ and works all year round... well unless rig slides on the ice...wont work well then ha ha.

Good luck bud.

Great stuff here! You guys have a preference on braid? I have heard that the smaller the braid on a baitcaster the more important the quality..?

I use heavy weight on my c-rig but I just use brass or lead. I have started using 2 smaller weights rather than one large, so it won't snag as easily

Since your using a mono or floro leader (I like mono, does not sink as much as floro) but since you have that leader the braid size does not matter much.

I have used as light as 30 and high as 65. Whatever works for you.

As far as brand I like Power Pro. Its consistently just very good to excellent.

Most of the big name brands are going to be good. They would not be business long if they were not. Its just preference and of course budget.

this

you want a fast reel and I use the Shimano Infinity Braking system reels with c-rig because that's about the only thing I throw with them that won't backlash. you can throw it a mile!

you want a heavy 0.75-1.25 oz weight.

90% on here are old school and will tell you to tie 3 knots, but I recommend using two Carolina keepers so you only have one knot. you can still put beads above the Carolina keeper.

only thing you lose with Carolina keepers is using two different weight lines, but in return you get 1 quick easy knot, less points of failure, and ability to adjust length quickly.

i am fairly new to the carolina rig. you will have trouble at the beggining to get use to feel the byte, but once you get a feel of it, it will reward you with good bass.

this will help you :
You need a Good rod so put good money on it. I got the Falcon Carolina Cara and so far it has been really good.
Get a Fast Reel

after that you need to experiment with the rigging and figure out what you like best. all the options listed above are great also.

G. Loomis Mossyback Carolina Rig Rod

I love the BCR874. This rod is a 7'3" Heavy, Fast and it is true to it's actions. I can make a long cast with this rod and get a great hookset with this length. It's as sensitive as they come and it's lightweight. Not to mention, the full cork handle is gonna help you cast long leaders further and help bury the hook on those long, deep casts.

Shimano Metanium XG

I use the Shimano XG for my Carolina rigging. This reel is hands down the best reel I've ever used! The Micro Module Gear System in this reel makes the retrieve so smooth. It's only 6.2oz so the reel is not gonna add much weight to the rod and make it too heavy to fish all day. I use the XG (8.5:1) because when you feel a fish swimming away with your bait, you need to pick up line fast to get a good hookset and avoid the fish being gut-hooked.

Sunline Structure FC

I go with this line for all of my offshore fishing applications. For Carolina Rigs I go with an 18# main line and a 2.5ft 14# leader. Go heavier if you're fishing a lot of timber down there. This line excels in deep water because it's super sensitive and very impact resistant, making it strong and ideal for offshore fishing. If I get hung up in deep water, I get my bait back about 90% of the time all thanks to this line alone.


Reins Tungsten TG Heavy Slip Sinker

These are the weights I use. You don't have to use tungsten but I feel so much more with it. These weights are the bomb and the paint doesn't chip on them. I usually go with a 3/4oz-1.5oz weight depending on the wind and depth I'm fishing.

Decoy KG Worm17 Hook

I typically use this hook in a 3/0 but sometimes if I'm throwing a bigger bait, I'll bump up to a 4/0 or even a 5/0. These hooks are sticky sharp and they'll hold up to any abuse you put them through.

Missile Baits D Stroyer

You can throw just about anything on a Carolina Rig. That's what makes it fun! However, I seem to always have my best luck on some sort of brush hog-style bait and this one gets the nod from me. They offer a variety of colors and this bait has some crazy action.


Hope this helps and have fun with the Carolina Rig! It takes a little time to get used to it but once you catch a fish on there, you get hooked. No pun intended there. Haha

PM me for any more details!

I didn't read all the comments, but you can use a 7'-8' h or mh and I like a high speed gear ratio reel to pick up the slack if the fish come toward you. I fish a Carolina rig almost every trip it's not a high dollar combo but it gets the job done.

I use a 7'3 Falcon Bucoo heavy action rod. Not exactly sure about the reel but I have 20-25 floro as my mainline with 20lb mono(big game) for my leader since it has a little float to it. I normally go with about a 16" leader.

about 3 feet as short as I go, usually closer to 4 feet.

3-4ft here too, though i shorten it during the winter closer to 2ft