More technique...great for the salt too

Good info. ....

What size weight would you normally use for something like that? Seems like even the small 4oz weight is pretty heavy.

1/4 oz is pretty good choice. Maybe up to a 3/8 if you have a lot of water movement . Change up the leader length too. I like a short leader when fishing for spotties and hali. This is a great technique for heavy eel grass and weed settings. It lets the weight take on the rough and leaves the bait to move about in the strike zone. I prefer this over a simple T-rig with a worm weight up against the bait. Jerk shad is killer on this rig.

4 oz is too heavy for this.

he said 1/4 0z. ocean i would not go over 1/2 oz. i like to stay about 3/8 oz. and if your using 4 oz. weight than you are in a boat right

I would use 4oz for something like a dropper loop set up but not a C-rig. Even if I was fishing for bigger game in deep water I would keep the weight as light as I could get away with.

If I was after mud marlins I might use 1-2 oz on a C-rig.

If I was pier fishing I might go heavy on the weight say for a pin rig or something to stay in one spot but let my bait move freely.

If I was going to troll for hali I would beef up the weight just so I could keep the bottom in contact.

In fresh water I would go as light as I could get away with and still be on the bottom. Especially now in cold water and the fish are sluggish and lazy. You have to look at this as a finesse technique. As the fresh water gets colder you have to slow down your presentations.

Ok I thought he said 4oz not 1/4 oz. That's why I was a bit confused. I haven't done a lot of bass fishing so still learning a lot. I did notice that was a HUGE leader so i'll have to give that a try in the weeded areas.

I use a 4oz all the time when fishing for halis over in PV. However it's a dropper loop setup and we where on a slow drift so it worked great.

Im gonna try that this sunday!

Me to I.got.a.new reel and I will set it up wow thanks thom

Hey guys,
Another southeast, take on a technique that was invented here in the west. Early on in the seventies when REAL finesse fishing was pioneered here in California the Carolina rig was called the Sliding sinker or trout rig and was fished with NO MORE than a half once weight and a 4"-6" floating tail worm. When the Southeast pros started Carolina Rigging it was classically rigged with 3/4 or 1 oz. weights. Mainly because of the long leader, and to facilitate casting with bait casting reels. (this was before pros like KVD who fished primarily spinning outfits) The Carolina Rig is fished best with a MH Spinning outfit! also the Carolina rig is a soft structure rig so keep in mind that when fishing heavy western cover (thin hard wood brush as opposed to grass or soft weed) it may not be the rig of choice. Also the Carolina rig because of the slack line created between the hook and weight allows for a lot of undetected bites. Not a good exploratory rig. The Carolina rig is what is known as a limit or five fish rig. Fished slow over a wide area in an attempt to put a limit of fish in the boat during tournament fishing. Much like shake'n a worm or jigging. The ideas is to use a heavy weight dragged on the bottom to create dust clouds and noise. The attraction is the weight, not the bait. I have never been a big fan of the Carolina Rig because it just does not suit our western waters.

Here's a tip: If you want to maximize the effect of your carolina rig try dressing the weight with skirts (the old Indian jig) or wire stand ups to create more commotion on the bottom. As well as gluing glitter to the weight for better visual attraction. and don't forget the clackers and beads! Or even try water bobbers when fishing in grass, ( an old tournament secret )

hope this helps bodfish

Good info. bodfish! Thanks

i may have to try this out this sunday

I thought the same thing.

well i have enough rods now. 2 baitcasters and 1 spinner so i guess i could try something new with one of the outfits

Sounds like your ready for Sundays session!!

yes i am, returned my leaky waders and got a new pair tonite right along with a new rod for my 50e.
I may return the rod but I'll see tomorrow

Good deal! What rod did you get for the 50e?

shimano clarus 6'8" 8-14lb med. Im going to look for something 6-12lb and plus I'm not really liking the eyes on this rod. it seems like there is not enough ?

I thought you were gonna get the crucial ?

yeah so did i but i kinda didnt want spend anymore money right now but there is tomorrow

Yup, it adds up fast.

that it dose real fast

There is a shimano rod at big 5 for 25the buck I use it on my 200e5 works great and I believe it is in tour specs

Ed,what model rod?

bodfish wrote:
The ideas is to use a heavy weight dragged on the bottom to create dust clouds and noise. The attraction is the weight, not the bait.

That's exactly what I learned about catching hali's here in Cali. The reason why we would drift with a 4oz weight would be to create a trail of dust and commotion on the bottom to attract the hali's who would then see the bait. Out of all the lakes I fished I could never do that because of all the crap on the bottom.

Would would be a good lake to try that type of technique on? I have yet to fish a lake that wasn't covered in crap, but it would sure be nice to for once.