Carolina Rig

キャロライナリグ · Also called Carolina

Thread a heavy weight, a bead and a swivel onto the main line, then tie a leader (about 0.5–1.2 m) to the swivel with a hook and soft plastic. The weight drags the bottom to read it, while the plastic trails behind, drifting and settling naturally.

Typical depth

1–8+m

Typical weight

Weight 10–28 g

Beginner-friendly

●●●●●

Snag resistance

●●●●●

Depth zone

Bottom

AMotion

Action Demo

FIG.1Carolina Rig · DraggingSweep → · reel slack · sweep →

The dashed line traces the lure's last 4 seconds; top left shows the rod tip movement and line slack. In practice you sweep the rod sideways (top view); this side view shows how the weight and soft plastic relate.

BHow it works

How It Works

The heavy weight handles long casts and stays on the bottom, transmitting changes in hard and soft bottom, rocks and weeds to your hand.
The leader separates the plastic from the weight, so the plastic follows and settles more slowly behind it, looking like a separate little creature.

CRetrieve

Techniques

Sweep the rod sideways slowly 1–2 m to drag the weight, then bring the rod back while reeling up slack, and repeat.

Related techniquesDragging

DWhen & Where

When & Where

● Good for

Open hard-bottom flats, gentle slopes, sandbars, deep water
Searching the bottom over large areas
Fish holding on the bottom but unwilling to chase

○ Not ideal for

Heavy cover (the leader tangles and snags easily)

ETackle

Recommended Tackle

Rod: MH, moderate-fast or fast, 7'0"–7'6"
Reel: Baitcasting reel
Line: Fluoro main line 14–20 lb, leader slightly lighter than the main line

For rod power and action see 01 Rods; for line size conversion see 03 Line.

FTarget & Tips

Target Species & Tips

Largemouth Bass Mandarin Fish

With a lighter leader, a snag breaks the leader and you keep the weight and swivel.
A floating soft plastic rises off the bottom behind the weight and stands out more.