[Fishing Tips] Carolina Rig - FISHING JAPANESE STYLE

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 Carolina Rig. A very classic rig. Popular for any type of bait fishing like live baits, dead baits, and lures.

 The rig is very simple but compared to other simple rigs like the Texas rig, this rig requires a couple of extra steps and parts. So that many young anglers prefer other modern rigs like the Free rig over this classic rig. But... this rig is still great!



Rigging  
 The rig requires these items.
  • Weight.
    • I think a classic Carolina rig is using an egg sinker or a slim barrel-shaped weight. I prefer using a Texas rig tungsten bullet weight. 
    • We also can use a drop shot weight with an open-eye just like a Free rig. 
  • Plastic Bead / Rubber (optional)
    • This is totally optional but when using a weight slipping the fishing line through, I prefer using a plastic bead or a soft rubber bead as a shock absorber protecting the knot. 
  • Swivel
    • The rig requires a swivel to tie the main knot and leader. A simple swivel without clips would be fine. A swivel would make sure the weight won't go slipping down to the hook and it also prevents the mainline from being tangled when the leader line gets twisted.
  • Extra Leader (Swivel to Hook)
    • I'm using a lighter pound-test leader for an extra leader than the mainline pound-test.
    • How many feets the leader should be?
      • Long leader 1.5' to 6'. I'm using a long leader setting when I want to drift the bait as naturally as possible in the current. The problem for a long leader setting is... The longer the leader would be harder to cast the rig.
      • Short leader less than 1.5'. When I want to give the bait quick and sharp action, I would pick up a short leader setup. This can be very similar to the Split Shot rig setup.
    • Mono or Fluorocarbon? This is very important.
      • Fluorocarbon: Generally, I prefer using Fluorocarbon for Bass fishing and saltwater fishing. The soft lures I'm using are slow sinking baits so that I prefer using Fluorocarbon leader that is also slowly falling in the water.
      • Mono: When I'm using floating baits like a Rainbow Trout fishing, I pick up Mono. Since it's lighter than freshwater. If I use a thick Fluorocarbon leader, the trout bait would pull down to the bottom by the leader's weight. I don't make this happen.
  • Hook
    • Any hook can be used. My preference is an offset hook or a straight hook. Offset hook could be a better choice when we fish a cover like grasses and kelps.
How heavy sinkers to use? 
  • Heavy Carolina Rig
    • Heavy Carolina rig is a Carolina rig with HEAVY weights like 1/2oz to 3oz. This setup would require a heavier tackle.
    • I use a Hevey Carolina rig when I fish Surf, I'm using 1oz weight to get a long casting distance and make sure the weight stays on the bottom in the strong current and waves.
  • Light Carolina Rig
    • Light Carolina rig is a Carolina rig with LIGHT weights like 1/16oz to 1/4oz. With BFS or light spinning tackle, using this rig, I fish shallow water.
    How to fish? 
    • Stay... Just Stay... And drink beer.
      • For the live baits / dead baits / no artificial baits, cast it! And let's wait for a bite to come. Drinking beer. Sitting down in the shades. Probably this is a typical scene many anglers would imagine. Yeah. this is it.
      • Please note that when you use baits like frozen anchovy or squid strip, this would catch Shark and Ray... If you want to avoid Shark and Ray, I recommend moving the baits often.
    • Bottom Dragging, Fall & Stay
      • I believe when we use the Carolina rig with artificial baits, this practice is the most common.
      • Once the weight hit the bottom, staying for a while. If no bite, let's manipulate the rig by a rod action. 
      • Move the rig and stop it. Wait for a while. Bites are coming when we stay the weight on the bottom. At that time, the lure at the end of an extra leader would be drifting in the current appealing to fish-eaters "It's the time to swallow me a whole!". 

    • Swiming
      • When using a curly tail or shad tail, swimming it like a jig head rig does would be another option. 
      • You can watch how I catch fish using this method w/ a light Carolina rig in this video.

    • Jerking / Twitching
      • Jerking and Twitching would be an interesting idea for Carolina rig. Quickly twitch the lure, trying to get a reactionary bite. For this technique, we should have a shorter leader.

    Enjoy fishing!

     Thank you!
     Angler Waki.

    Location: California, USA

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