Hey y’all, I got a bunch of hair rigs and corn and I’m ready to carp fish! The only issue (besides finding a decent spot) is, how do I determine whether or not to use a slip sinker vs no weight on my rigs? I’ve read carp can be both shallow and deep. Also, would y’all recommend pack baits in moving waters (rivers, bayous) or is that a waste of time?

Watch a YouTube video on carp taking the bait. You will see what they do and it will give you an understanding of what I am going to tell you. Use a 2 ounce weight pegged to your swivel, with a short leader to your hook hair rigs are great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGKLmPr6kSg video on takes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDmw3IjRx54 video on pack bait. The panco recipe is a good one

HBF, I used to use an inline method feeder or inline weight with pack bait and a hair rig like in the top video SweetRay posted with great success. The 2-3.5 ounce feeders or weight will set the hook for you like a Pro! Pack baits should be fine with the moderate currents in the Houston area.....of course immediately after a monster rain the currents are going to be pretty massive in that area which I have never had experience with but with moderate current pack bait that breaks down pretty quickly should work well. Good luck Sir and may the carp be with you!

Plus #1.

Instead of baiting with boilies like the video you could use 2 pieces of hard corn, like boiled and or flavored maize or even fake flavored plastic corn. ... and use the tasty canned corn( that is soft but difficult to keep on a hair rig) in your pack bait around your method feeder or fixed lead weight.Many use this in texas waters and if the carp are willing to eat it will usually work well. Big Carp tackle is a great place to get some of these special items from and I'm not affiliated with them just one of many of their customers. PS the hard or plastic corn gives a nice edge with texas turtle season starting to heat up and makes them work hard to remove your bait off of your hair rig!