Best Baits and Leader Length For Carolina Rigs Offshore | Underwater Bass Fishing Lure Test

In this video, I testing Carolina rigs in an Olympic Size Swimming Pool to determine the best baits and leader lengths. I also give tips and instruction on how to retrieve a Carolina rig, as well as how to rig and set one up. Hope you enjoy!
-Jonny
Video Mentioned:
Testing Swimbaits in 13ft Olympic Pool | Eye-Opening Results
• Testing Swimbaits in 1...
Baits Mentioned in this Video:
Zoom Lizards
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Z-Man Lizardz (Floating)
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Strike King Rage Tail Lizard 6"
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Zoom Baby Brush Hogs
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Gene Larew Biffle Bug
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Zoom Centipede 4"
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Top Brass Precision Brass Bullet Weights
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Top Brass Carolina Ticker-Black
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Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend Worm Hooks Black
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Quantum Smoke S3 Casting Rod 7'4" Hvy
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Abu Garcia Black Max Casting Reel
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Fish Finder Recommendations (I’m not sponsored by any of these brands)
Beginner/Budget Fish Finder
Lowrance Hook2 7 Series Sonar TripleShot US/Can Nav+ (Side and Down Imaging)
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Intermediate Fish Finder
Lowrance Elite-9 Ti2 Fishfinder/Chartplotters
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Advanced/Expert Fish Finder
Lowrance HDS-12 Live Fishfinder/Chartplotters
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Music:
Tonez&Re-C - Kyoto by @TONEZPRO (OFFICIAL) / tonez-pro
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[@allanhise4122]

You would be surprised how many High School anglers have not/will not throw the ball n chain. I was a captain for 3 years and not a simgle team/kid had thrown one. It was the first worm technique I feel like I mastered. Great video by the way!

[@Allansybesma]

Same also the michana rig without swivel but a knotted line with bullet weight and splitshot before the knot.

[@rickg6122]

I started Bass fishing in 2016. I have become a better fisherman over the past year thanks to your videos. Keep’em coming thanks! 👍🏻

[@freshwater_tactical]

Hey bud! You’ve taught me a lot through this channel so I hope I can help do the same right quick! As a tournament angler, I fish offshore and around offshore anglers regularly and the huge change I made that you may be missing is using monofilament. Key is using a mono that doesn’t stretch a lot, but still has a lot of float to it. This is ESSENTIAL to the perfect Carolina rig. This will allow all the floating baits you discussed to function properly, and you other baits to stay 3-6 inches off the bottom at all times. This is especially critical fishing through brush piles or over grass like you mentioned. Lastly, leader length is extremely important yes, but one thing you didn’t mention is you hook size and thickness. It is important to test the weight of your hook vs the buoyancy of the bait to make sure your bait is again 3-6 inches of the bottom minimum. If your bait is dragging on the bottom behind a crig, then you might as well be using other bottom baits like jigs, trigs, wobble heads and so on. Hope this helps!!

[@Josey4u]

I have to echo this. I was a little surprised that he didn't use a monofilament leader. Really gets that bait up, and depending on what you are throwing, leaves it up, or slowly lets it sink.

[@johnstrain240]

you have made some good points!

[@fred475]

@@Josey4u I prefer fluorocarbon mainline because of its SUPER sensitivity. Then mono for my leader for less sinking action. 20 lb on both. 99% of my fishing is offshore and has been for about 30 years.

[@fred475]

Freshwater that's why I use a 2.0 hook with light wire. It DOES make a difference and if it hangs you can usually pull it free easier. The hook may bend out a bit but it's easy to reshape. I've caught several 8 to 10 pounders on a light hook with no problem. Now if I'm flipping I go to a heavier wire simply because of the greater leverage you put on a shorter line and I'm usually flipping heavy cover with braid and want that fish out fast.

[@Josey4u]

@@fred475 that's exactly what I do. Fluorocarbon main line, mono leader. Only difference for me is I down size my leader a bit, but it's apples to apples.

[@dan-o9746]

A lot of people don't know that one of the attractions to a Carolina rig is the weight kicking up silt or mud.

[@markcunningham1458]

Keep them coming! Having a mental image of what your bait looks like underwater helps tremendously. I think it would be cool to see a Carolina rig and Texas rig side-by-side underwater to see the difference between the two. I’d also be interested to see what big g worms you use on a Carolina rig.

[@jcnpresser]

Getting ready to start fishing this season and your the first I go to for information, your the best dude.

[@Ryan-jx4vh]

Subscribed! Not many channels offer really beneficial content, but you crushed it. 🎣

[@kerrysanders6668]

love all of the underwater footage. This has been kind of a game changer for the way I fish. I have never been one to throw Carolina rigs. I do 95% of my fishing on a Texas rig with a worm or creature bait. Definitely going to start throwing Carolinas

[@jackdixon4530]

Good thoughtful video. Very informative. On the water presentations of the c-rig will enhance the credibility of your pool tests!

[@junogarcia7515]

Good video for not having alot to work with! Im fishing a tournament on Sunday at O.H.Ivie and you have made me decide to run a Carolina rig with a floating bait! Thanks

[@firstlightangler6049]

I can’t believe people actually make videos like this, I care too much about actually going fishing than testing baits in a pool. It just blows my mind people actually sub to this kind of stuff.

[@mackeysplace1]

Dang, now I have to figure out how to fish the C-rig. It's great to see how these different techniques actually are presented to the fish.

[@shanebooth639]

Wow!! Thanks for the ear plug recommendations!! I can’t wait.

[@mariaruhlman424]

You got me all excited and then crushed my dreams with that French fry! I am sad they don’t make the floating French fry anymore. The French fry is one of my confidence baits. Keep up the cool videos!

[@BlueLineFishing]

Great breakdown of the leader length, it really helps to see it preform underwater. Thanks for another great video!

[@Bucketlistnutrition]

My man got a light in his studio!! looking a million times better!

[@bwcrouterfield]

The pool tests are awesome - very informative!

[@RobbyRadford]

I’m I watched to the end, because I’ve always been told short leaders in cold water, longer in warm...no I See different! TY man

[@jeremiahgiles3593]

The C-rig is one of my all time favorites!

[@robertgoins5802]

I like your bed videos they're very knowledgeable very broke down they're easy to understand you do a very very good job thank you very much

[@josephshew6359]

You can also use the ear plug trick with tubes. Great series, keep it up.

[@danielwood5510]

This is so dope, I've actually been thinking about doing this already when my mind is wandering before bed... crazy, we've got it bad dude XD

[@bigc8018]

Great video, as always. "Carolina Keepers" also makes a bullet weight that floats.

[@jimmiecampbell4357]

Back 30+ years ago, when tubes came along, I used to put the little foam "peanuts" in them. Worked great. Probably still would.

[@scottmcdowell480]

Really like the underwater views of the baits action. Thank you!

[@azurwth01]

this is why I like your videos so much you do a lot of in-depth scientific study almost which is what I'm really into .. I bug all my friends because I'm like I came up with a new way to present this bait or a new idea to try on a jig... but it's funny that you mention this floating Carolina Style last weekend I was out throwing the new giant TRD on a Texas Rig and I noticed the bait kept swimming away from the bottom and I thought how cool would it be to put on a Carolina rig and have this giant worm float a couple feet above the bottom

[@DetroitFishigan]

The floating way is the way to go 🤔👍 cool video. Thanks for sharing 👊

[@richardmajewski3815]

Great refresher on the C Rig.

[@neilgwinn7378]

Great video. I’m throwing the palmetto bug From Zman float’s really good. Thanks buddy

[@dkhorse12345]

Never was a big fan of Carolina rig until this vid! Now I see several applications where it can work for me. Keep up the great work 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@Born2Fish1219]

changed my carolina rig game. thanks for the video

[@xxcaseyxxc]

Great job man, excited for the drop shot video.

[@dan5danPT]

Don’t forget about the Ztoo fluke style bait in the elastech. I like to rig it upside down and use the slot as a weed guard cause sometimes the hook likes to not penetrate through that stretchy plastic as well. I would think one of those on an 18-24” leader worked kind of fast along the bottom would make the fluke do its thing, but in deeper water. Would love to see if my theory is correct! Thanks Jonny!

[@tonylayne5726]

Great video. Love the under water footage 👍

[@Anthony-wx4pe]

Great video ! Keep this series of type videos going please !!!

[@jeffmckee2981]

Great video Johnny!!! Keep the videos coming.

[@geraldpaben7344]

Jonny great job as always very interested in next week's drop shot vids

[@jasononeill93]

Net Baits Paca craw is hollow. Also good for using Alka Seltzer for making bubbles. Great videos!

[@johnthompson3297]

Thanks for this! Always wondered how they look under water!

[@brianguest561]

i guess i should watch entire video before i comment lol thanks great job

[@mongo.outdoors5479]

Great video but short leader or long it moves the same speed and distance. Long leaders will allow it to float higher. But no matter the leader length you are still pulling/dragging the same amount of line.

[@bassngal3314]

Fish the 3x flukes in both fresh and salt water ...they were amazing ! I have a bunch of their worms and lizards however haven’t thrown them enough on a Carolina rig for an opinion. I have used the lizard weightless topwater over pond weeds and it worked well. Great video keep it up

[@tcoop616]

Another great video, THANK YOU. I don't know if you can still get them, but there used to be a Carolina Collar. It was a foam O ring that you put around the plastic to make it float. I never had much luck with it though.

[@carltonharrison488]

Try a Zoom Trick worm, or finesse worm, or speed worm they all work great in a c-rig

[@diggy561]

Great video. I will be adding the earplugs to my biffle bugs and dominate all depths of the water column!!!!

[@georgef3077]

This is super valuable footage. Thank you

[@jordanspalding6446]

I’ve seen that same biffle bug video. I put ear plugs in several craw baits. Net Paca Craw is a good one to insert the plug in. Works well

[@UttonPhotography]

Really great videos. Can’t wait to see it applied on the water.

[@lroyson]

This is great information. One suggestion is maybe you could show a view from the top down. maybe something floating just under the surface that could be pulled along at the same rate as the bait. either way these videos are very informative. Keep up the great work.

[@icefisher1171]

Maybe mount the camera on a pole with a wheel to roll along the bottom of the pool to keep it steady and a more consistent speed? Just a thought. Love the videos. Keep it up.

[@brettwebb4613]

I really like your videos you do a great job explaining everything. Keep it up please

[@bigrob8966]

Good video, keep up the good work young man. 🎣

[@savagei6130]

Fantastic video my friend! Oooooooooooooooooooooh Yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahhh! Dig It!

[@topwatertrl]

I borrowed from the walleye world and rig my floating C rigs with a black or white cylinder shaped float threaded on leader prior to tying on your hook. This way you can put whatever non floating plastic lure on and it will float. Don't seem to affect hook up ratio at all. Come in all different sizes and colors. Just look in the walleye section in your tackle shop. Word!

[@STRETCHFishing]

Great vid!! I like the floating baits! Will be trying it this year

[@seprarep]

Thanks for the great tips I know it’s a lot of work and effort to get these to us. Really appreciate all your fish finder graph vids as well. Excellent!!!

[@David-bf9ux]

I appreciate your time and presentation.. Ty

[@jonesmichel8305]

Il Will try this tecnique for the first Time this year.

[@rockyraab8290]

Wanna know a killer C-rig variation? Push an earplug up into a 4" tube, and rig with a light 2/0 worm hook. (I see now that others also suggested this!)

[@H8er-Maker]

Try sticking a piece of alka seltzer inside tube. Smallmouth candy.

[@johnshaum6332]

Good job on thinking about pool videos keep up the good work.

[@RHINOIDING]

a foam ear plug shoved into a tube ... EDIT: I commented this prior to watching the whole video, cool that you did mention it and used it in a biffle bug, the ear plug in a tube is an old school deal

[@johnstrain240]

I used to use carolina rigs all the time then gradually just stopped several years ago. Not sure why--maybe just the hassel of rigging, re-rigging, and stowing. I'm going to definitely give them a try again this year.

[@Jessica37323]

I raise and lower my rod tip, sometimes shaking it. Works for me. Seems to get more bits than just side dragging like you did.

[@ralphconnell8163]

Thank you. I've never thrown a Carolina Rig..This has helped and encouraged me to do so. I notice that you used a heavy rod. Will a MH rod with a Fast to Extra Fast action be OK for this technique. Your videos are very informative, professional and of course very helpful. We fish in S. Africa. so your 'reach' is global :-)

[@johnstrain240]

I used to just rig it up on a flippin stick (7 foot, 7'6" with a medium/fast tip) A variation of this rig is called the mojo rig, which you can throw on spinning gear or a medium action baitcaster. Use a cyliner weight with a line stop instead of heavy bullet weight, swivel, and beads. Then rig it with a french fry. Fish it the same way--drag, pause, drag, pause. Really good when fished off of dams or inside weedlines.

[@themrsmoore1]

Nice job. Wonder how much better the floating lures would do with mono rather than having to fight the sinking nature of fluoro.

[@tjsmith8972]

Thank you for all your time and effort. Do you have any videos about organization of bait & tackle for efficiency on the boat?

[@MattyWongFishing]

looks like you need to hire a water videographer.. great tips. love the ear plug tip!

[@bobbywhite9262]

Would like to know when to fish the C-rig What conditions, time of year, water temp, where to fish it. Thanks Jonny you're doing great.

[@mikegardiner3934]

Striking also used to have a 3X date called Zulu that was like a fluke. Also speaking of drop shot floating bait, I’ve had very good success in the fall using a Z man streak Z and knows hooking yet casting the drop shot. If shadow or around it is killer.

[@vegasvato55]

we started using the ear plugs with tube on Carolina rigs back in the 90's

[@jell-oputin8036]

Curious as if wether or not the glass bead and brass spacer are actually clacking. That floating footage was wicked . Fantastic video ,👍🏼

[@kansasyouthbass]

That's awesome footage man.

[@chrisfoley3320]

Your right on that floating lizard as good as it looks it does not catch fish. I have done all these experiments and with both came up with same results. The size hook and type of plastic is most important thing. Stay away from heavy salted baits. Try a pearl tube with ear plug in it when they are on a shad bite. Good show.

[@matthewgonzalez5019]

I used to have top water flukes I think they were probably the 3X stuff I had them in my tacklebox forever they floated right on the top of the water and they work just like a walking bait They were striking brand

[@reeltraditionsoutdoors]

Great info. Going to try this weekend.

[@justreelfishing2002]

Good vid! I personally like to throw fluorocarbon/braid as main line and always use monofilament for the leader so my zoom brush hog will easily float up. Carolina rig is a great rig for sure

[@nelson12290ify]

I've always loved a 10 in worm on the C Rig

[@samuelwarden6285]

Great vid with a lot of really good details. I have actually never caught a fish on a Carolina rig. I use a drop shot alot or a Texas rig. I need to try this for sure. I wonder how well a smaller paddletail swimbait or a zoom fat albert grub would do. 👊👍

[@ronaldmcdonald3965]

Wonder if you can put a packing peanut inside a hollow creature bait to make it float

[@BluntedBassBaits]

I use small wood dowels inside hollow creature baits! Works great 👍

[@jesseburgess1637]

If you still have access to that pool you could build a pvc rig with wheels and drill holes in the pvc for moving shots

[@jordanspalding6446]

I think viewers would appreciate products that are readily available for purchase in the test. These unavailable products are deemed useless to many. U could also refer to Tactical Bassin for ideas and camera angles as well. They have some of the best underwater videos going.

[@JimGrady67]

Great video, very informative.

[@FishingtheLoneStar]

In terms of the plastic that floats, I have a theory that the more you stretch them, the more they lose their float-ness. I did a similar video but with Ned rigs a few months back, and the TRD by Zman didn’t stand up, until I put a new one on. The one I had been stretching in videos did not. Just a thought! Also, check out all the floating baits that XZone produces. Their 11 inch floating worm would be great here‼️👊

[@czrider3999]

I have fished a c-rig with floating baits and the hook set can be tough. Be prepared to make long sweeping hook sets. The longer the leader and the closer to the boat your bait is will create a "V" in the line that will have to be straightened out before you get pressure on the hook. Go as light as possible with the weight. Take up the slack, keep your tip moving parallel to the water and let er rip.

[@Davo2233]

Don’t know if they make them anymore but I have a dozen packs of yum swimming lizards 🦎 with a boot tail similar to a keitech swing impact. Best C. Rig bait I’ve ever used but I found them on clearance at Walmart and bought a pack to try and they worked great so I bought all they had at $1.99 a pack and have never seen them sense

[@Superkeyruns]

Very good work.

[@1961fireguy]

A hollow tube works great with the ear plug trick!

[@3thingsfishing427]

Thanks for this video. Great idea.

[@Mjones8383]

I personally don't Carolina rig fish a lot but when I do I use that floating french fry but I take a one-off Nico book and nose hookit and use a smaller lead that way it floats very very well and it's more of the nest but I seem to catch a lot of big pressured fish

[@Rem1061]

Shorten your leader, and try giving your line a small "twitch", then a slow retrieve, then a small"twitch" etc.

[@mickeybauer1693]

I've been fishin the C rig for 30 years..its one of my favorites and this video is spot on..I use brass because its super sensitive and relays what's on bottom really well..I know tungsten does also but I'm old school.

[@randywunderlich6315]

Line abrasion (break-offs) from the heavy weights can be eliminated by using the marketed Carolina pre-rigs. How do you feel about them?

[@Smalltechguy]

Wow. awesome videos and finally seeing the baits..I was wondering what the charge was to shut down the pool and have it to yourself. I've never tossed a Carolina Rig since my first time didn't end very well, but using the right baits that will give it buoyancy may just do the trick.

[@chrisws6]

very helpful. great vid

[@dlcbert]

Awesome! Love the content.

[@steveschisler7553]

I struggle with this rig. The strikes are not standard plastic worm strikes... Until I learned to drag with my rod, pause and hold steady for a couple moments before reeling up the slack, I never caught a fish! That pause and steady light pressure allows me to feel the strikes...

[@philandjana]

Careful. Glue those earplugs in. They kill animals and fish because the plug up their digestive systems and don't dissolve and they don't biodegrade. Good video as always.

[@nellielinker2995]

Great advice

[@rwsandersinfo]

Where is your home lake? Great video!