Carolina Rig v.s. Texas Rig

[tunaman]

So, being the newby that I am, I still don't completely understand where each bait fits in to each situation. In particular, when to use a Carolina rig versus a Texas rig. I know that, at least in part, it is determined by the structure/cover that you're fishing, but don't have a real clear picture... anyone care to help out? What conditions to YOU select which rig and why?

Thanks in advance!
Roger

[DanWarme]

The best answer for this is try to think of what you want the bait to do.
Do you want it glued to the bottom, then it's a texas rig. Do you want it floating up and slowly dropping back down, gliding along? then the Carolina rig is the ticket.

The texas rig fishes better in heavy cover. In general a carolina rig is better for covering water although both rigs with cover water or pick a piece of structure apart depanding on your approach.

In general, I like a carolina rig for covering water, humps, points, channel breaks, moving fast and trying to find active fish. I prefer to power fish it. 20# test, 1 oz. sinker, 6" lizard. A great combo. Used it to take second one time at Castaic. In the Summer time, in clear water, on a weekend when everyone said the bite was slitshotting 4# test dead sticking little fishees in the bushes. Its all in where you find the fish and how you present it and in that particular case it was the 20# test, 1oz. sinker and the 7' rod that were the factors to catching those fish. Not the 6" lizard.
Those fish were in 2-4' of water by the way. I usually don't carolina rig that shallow but dont argue if the fish are eatting.

Texas rig I fish more in heavy cover, like flippin gitzits but it is also my usual set up for shakin. 8# test, 3/16 sinker, 6" roboworm, black grape. If they don't eat that , there probably isn't a good worm bite going. Will fish a texas rig anywhere and anytime. Fish it fast on the fall against walls, or dead stick it on a shallow mud flat. You name it, the texas rig will work. Will also fish it on a big sinker in deep water covering water. Very versitile rig.

[tunaman]

Great explanations Dan - thanks much! That helps paint a more clear picture.

[Ralph_198]

Dan, so your main line was 20# and your leader was 20#?

[Lance]

Now its clear. The other day I saw Roger throwing a C-Rig but on a swimbait rod. I yelled over to Roger "hey Rog whatcha doin?" Roger replied with " C-Riggin! But man how do you guys do this all day, this 1 oz. egg sinker paired with a 1 oz. Jig is wearin me out"

[tunaman]

NOW it all comes clear Lance - WHY didn't you TELL ME????

[Lance]

I was affraid you might get mad at me and lob that thing at my boat deck

[Chris N]

as a non-boater, the Carolina rig can be golden when the guy in front is motoring down the bank, great way to keep in touch with the bottom no matter what's going on in the front of the boat- just my 2 cents

[Ray L.]

It works very wel for the non boaters I have drawn over the years.
Hey Chris where you form in south o.c.

[DanWarme]

Dan, so your main line was 20# and your leader was 20#?

Often but not always. Again, depends on the conditions. Like for that 2nd place I was talking about. I believe I was fishing a 12# leader about 3' long. Why 12# test in clear water? because of the 6" lizard and the large hook it had. (4/0) Needed a heavier line to set a hook that large.

But like I said before, that day, the bait and the leader were actually secondary to the reason I was catching fish. The long rod, heavy line and sinker allowed for super long casts so I could reach fish that no one else could!

[Chris N]

It works very wel for the non boaters I have drawn over the years.
Hey Chris where you form in south o.c.

Dana Point, now living in HB

Trying to get back to DP-