I have really concentrated on using a Carolina Rig the past few months and I've had good results. The last couple of weeks, the grass on the bottom has gotten higher and I'm getting grass on the front of my bait when I retrieve it. I've tried a lot of things to help the bait stay on top of the weeds - lighter weight (down to 3/16), longer leader (up to about 36-40"), and even switched up baits to the ones with a tapered front end - but nothing seems to help. I use fluoro line for the leader but will using mono really make that much of a difference? What else can I try? Should I just break out the drop shot? I don't have as much confidence on that but I'll try it if that's the best option.

Plano,

Most soft plastic baits have salt added to them for fish attractant. While this does help the fish hold onto the bait longer at times, it also makes the bait sink. Very few soft plastics will float a hook. Kicker Fish makes several baits that will float a good sized hook and work well. I have had good success with their Bubble Fry.

I am not sponsored by any of them but this will help you keep the grass off your lure. Also fluorocarbon sinks so I would switch over to mono for your leader.

Grass? Count your blessings, seems like grass is getting harder to find these days.

Are you using a bullet weight? If i am going to pull a rig through grass i use a tungsten bullet weight to get the most compact profile possible. Rocks i go with an egg shaped lead sinker, it doesnt get caught between rocks as much.

Ted, I have been using a bullet tungsten weight and you're right, it minimizes the grass.

I am going to try Ken's advice and a few bags of Bubble Fry to my Tackle Warehouse Black Friday order (if they ever send the darn email out!).

I've used a tube which is hollow and bit off a piece of worm to stuff into the tube trapping the air making the tube float it has worked for me before

Sounds like a time to use a drop shot set up fished the same as you do the C-rig. I also will use a split shot setup with the split shot pinched on a 30 lb test of flouro about a foot long between two swivles. Space the split shot in three places between the swivles and use that in place of your C-rig weight. The split shot spread out like that will lay on top of the grass if it is thick enough. I prefer the BPS clam shaped split shot as they are tapered like a football. For sure do not use the split shot that has the pinch off removeable wings as they just hang up.

I don't remember who makes them but there are soft plastic bullet shaped bait guards that come in a variety of colors. Put one of them on right in front of the bait, it will help you in the grass

Inject the lure with air. The lure will likely now float.

Xcite baits joystick, kicker fish bubble fry will both float a good size hook.

I've been toying with adding those small foam bullets. to help lift my baits on the crig. They kinda look like bullet weights, I peg them with those in line pegs. unfortunately I haven't been fortunate enough to fish recently but when I do get on a good crig bite i want to try it again. also I am trying to downsize as much as possible to avoid hangups. those larger tungsten are too expensive to not be on a braid. LOL