What rod brand, length and power do you use for your Carolina rig set up? I have used several different brands and lengths over the years and just wanted to see what others like for their set up.

I began with a Falcon Low rider, which was a fantastic rod for that technique.
After that these are ones that I have tried out.
Dobyns 784
Dboyns 744
Dobyns 734
Dobyns 755
Falcon Cara
Kistler Z bone


I always have 2 Carolina rigs, 2 drop shots 1 shaky head and 1 wobble head rig in the boat all the time.

I use a dobyns 784.

I think any 7’6” ish medium/heavy fast will do it.

A lot of guys use fluro main line. I prefer braid, I think it’s saved me a lot of 1oz tungsten weights over the years. I hardly ever lose one.

Last few times I threw one, I used a flipping rod, since I seem to own way too many of them. It’s too much for a Carolina rig though. Honestly, it’s the one technique that I absolutely cannot throw more than 3-4 times. I’m probably fishing it way too slow.

I would think a 7’3”-7’6” m/hvy would be good.

Although I have 2 NRX 873 CRR rods I prefer my NRX 894 JWR. Gets more casting distance and handles heavier weight better.
That Dobyns 784 mentioned above is also an excellent choice. Used to have one and that’s what I used it for.

I throw a Carolina Rig a lot and use a Dobyns DC 804C the "Carolina Riggin' Special". You can catch them on sale for ~$200 at times.

Should probably add that I'm 6'3" and prefer the longer rods.

Everytime I use braid main line and a mono or fluoro leader I break the leader on the hook set.

I've got an American made All Star WR2; I think it is a 6'9" heavy action. It's got an Abu Garcia 5000c sitting on it and will cast a country mile and has the backbone to get really good hook sets, owned that one for over 3 decades and it's spent 99% of its time with a C-rig on it. It was originally bought to fish heavy jigs and did that for a little while.

Quit trying to set the hook like you’re fishing the cedar at Ivie. Try a side sweep, you’ll be amazed

You must be really cracking them!

I just reel tight and sweep.

I use 50 braid to 15 fluro usually.

Yup especially if on a heavier action rod. Something has to give and it's the leader knot usually

The 2 I always have tied up with a crig are the mike long (snagger special) dobyns 784 and a Kistler klx 7 6 medium heavy fast.

I like the 784 because it’s great for a fb jig and flutter spoon too. Maybe a bit overpriced msrp, but you can find a deal.

I bought mine from a guy in bass pro parking lot for 100 bucks out of a white van.... it probably belonged to someone here before it vanished from their boat around lake fork.

That’s a steal of a deal, especially if their return policy is still as good as it used to be.

I think mine says “ Mike long signature series” or maybe that’s on one of the other 3 or 4 dobyns rods I have.

That 784 is the best rod from them that I have tried. It’s not a great idea but I boat flipped a 7 pounder with one. I don’t boat flip anymore the gunnel on my walleye boat is wayyyyyy to high.