Carolina Rig Basics for Deep Water Bass

Many bass anglers focus their fishing attention in relatively shallow water depths (<10 feet) for one of two basic reasons:

1)      the waters they fish are primarily that shallow or

2)      they are not comfortable with fishing deep water.

Though the second reason may involve a lack of confidence in finding bass holding structures in deep water, often times it relates to a lack of skills in deepwater presentations techniques.

Probably the most basic of deep water bass fishing methods involves using a simple system called the “Carolina Rig”.  The key components of the traditional “Carolina Rig” include:

• A 7+ foot long MH to H casting rod and reel combo spooled with 20 lb. test main line (in today’s bass fishing world, super-braids reign supreme in this role);
• A fairly heavy (> ½ oz.) sinker (lead, brass or tungsten), glass beads, barrel swivel and appropriate hook (depends on lure selection);
• A two to five foot long leader (usually fluorocarbon) of varying line test depending on water and cover conditions;
• Lure (usually plastic baits with lizards and worms being used on the traditional rig).

After preparing the rod, reel and rig set-up, the next possible hurdle occurs when trying to cast the rig since there is a fairly long leader between the sinker and lure.  To help solve both these isses, Ron Colby (Yamamoto Custom Bait Pro Staffer) demonstrates the steps in rigging, casting and the basic retrieve used with the “Carolina Rig” in the following video:

The beauty of the “Carolina Rig” is once you learn the basics of rigging and the presentation, it provides a great tool any bass angler can use when faced with a deep water bass fishing situation …

Tight lines and full livewells!