Have started throwing a carolina rig and am comfortable with my setup (GLX 874 CRR, fast reel--8.1:1), braid to mono leader, 1oz tungsten on a swivel glass bead, bobber stops, etc) and feeling bottom (dragging across main lake points especially targeting shell). Got several bites yesterday and (sort of) hooked two of them only to have them throw hook at me. One at the boat and one halfway in. I'm using a 4/0 ewg gamakatsu and one of them bit a silver fluke and the other a green pepper bubble fry.

First question: Is the bite generally hard to detect given all of the line and weight you have out on this rig? The two I hooked I felt the rod load when I went to drag the bait...is this generally what I'm looking for?

Second question: Once I feel the rod load is it more of a sweep hookset (similar to a crankbait....which what I attempted) vs a cross their eyes move (like with a jig)?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

what type of bait are you using? I try to get away with a lighter / thinner hook depending on the bait. I usually just sweep hook. Thinner hook seems to stick better on the longer hookset for me.

I just noticed the bait.... I tend to more issues with hookup with a fluke on c-rig too.

have a buddy that still sets the hook straight up, like the old days and he loses a lot of fish. I use the sweep and I rarely lose a fish own a C-rig.

I don't slack line them, but doubt the fish can tell a difference between a straight up hook set or a sweeping hookset.

I'm fishing a mag fluke about 90% of the time on a C-Rig with a 5/0 EWG hook and a 4/0 EWG hook with brush hogs, flukes, and worms.

I rarely lose a fish with a C-Rig.

The bite for me seems to be similar to what you described. I feel tension when I go to drag, then hold steady to see if I feel any movement. Occasionally they will run with it, and occasionally I will feel the tap when they take in the lure.

Imagine the weight is even heavier than an ounce and that your line is sliding through it. You're not picking up the weight to feel for the bite like you are with a TX rig so you will feel the bites pretty well. This might change with a lighter weight but with a 1 oz, you'll feel the fish and when you do, sweep hard.

I wouldn't describe the sweep like with a crankbait, its more like flipping a vertical hookset on its side and you have a wider range of motion for better penetration.

I reel down pointing my rod tip to the water. I then do a sweeping hookset to the side allowing the line to travel through the weight with no lift / resistance. This has worked for me over the many years that I sling the ball / chain.

Awesome info. Thank you!

+1

Also get you a brass clacker to use instead of the glass bead. A tungsten weight will break the glass bead and it could damage your line. I know this from past experience with glass and tungsten.

+2 on the tungsten breaking the glass bead and potentially cutting your line.

Hadn't heard that or thought about till now. super advice. Thanks.

Use the lightest weight you can get away with. I normally use 1/2 ounce. 3/4 if deep.

I spent a day on the water with James Biggs a few years back and one of the simplest ways he increased my catch ratio on C-rigs was by me changing my hook. Buy a pack of Gammie Offset Worm hooks and skip the EWG. Look at an EWG hook and the point is parallel to the eye. Look at an Offset Worm hook and 50% of the bend and point is above a line parallel from the eye. This small change can greatly improve your hook up ratios. Give it a shot and see what you think

My go to carolina rig bait is the Berkley 7 inch power worm in motor oil or tequila sunrise with 3/4 oz weight.

You can also change the line from mono to fluoro. Fluoro has less stretch, so it will help to really power home the hook into the fish's mouth.

Great advice!