BEST Carolina Rig Lure NOBODY Uses - Watch it Underwater

This is the best Carolina rig lure I have used. Soft plastic lures often do not behave under the water like we think they do. I tested twenty-one different body styles and types of lure material. This Carolina rig lure tops the list. Links below.
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Links to some of my favorite lures from Omnia Fishing - a great online site from Minnesota. A bunch of terrific anglers who love to help you find the lures you are looking for. You can even search by lake!
Z-Man Scented Jerk Shadz: omnia.direct/q...
Strike King Z-Too: omnia.direct/N...
Megabass Jig Head: omnia.direct/O...
Baby Z Too for Damiki Rig: omnia.direct/B...
Strike King Thunder Cricket Bladed Jig: omnia.direct/T...
Swim Jigs
KVD Tour Grade Swim Jig: omnia.direct/T...
Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig: omnia.direct/H...
Crankbaits
KVD Squarebill 1.5: omnia.direct/K...
KVD Squarebill 2.5: omnia.direct/K...
KVD Squarebill Hard Knock: omnia.direct/K...
3XD: omnia.direct/3XD
5XD: omnia.direct/5XD
6XD: omnia.direct/6XD
8XD: omnia.direct/8XD
10XD: omnia.direct/10XD
Soft Plastics
KVD Dream Shot: omnia.direct/D...
KVD Half Shell: omnia.direct/H...
KVD Perfect Plastics Rodent: omnia.direct/R...
Rage Tail Menace Grub: omnia.direct/M...
Rage Bug: omnia.direct/R...
Topwaters
KVD Splash Popper: omnia.direct/S...
Strike King Tri-Wind Buzzbait: omnia.direct/T...
KVD Sexy Frog: omnia.direct/S...
KVD Sexy Dawg: omnia.direct/S...
Rod and Reels:
Lew's Pro SP Skipping/Pitching Reel: omnia.direct/P...
Lew's Mach Crush Spinning: omnia.direct/M...
Lew's XD Crankbait Rods: omnia.direct/X...
Lew's KVD Graphite Casting Rods: omnia.direct/K...
Lew's KVD Composite Cranking Rods: omnia.direct/K...
Lew's KVD Spinning Rods: omnia.direct/K...
Lew's KVD Baitcast Reels: omnia.direct/K...
Lew's KVD Spinning Reels: omnia.direct/K...
Books on the Outdoors I have read and enjoyed:
Jay Yelas: A Champion's Journey of Faith, Family, and Fishing: amzn.to/31Vl02g
Kevin VanDam's Bass Strategies Revised Ed: amzn.to/3lPppLM
Rootbeer Lady: The Story of Dorothy Molter by Bob Cary: amzn.to/32WsGAi
Ely Echoes by Bob Cary: amzn.to/2F6x5s8
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[@1965JB]

I have enough plastic baits to last me 300 years, but I’m adding this to the collection because it’s you that’s recommending it. Please don’t tell my wife, I’ve sworn not to buy any more plastic baits.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Lol. I understand. I remember having very length discussions with my wife over the years about soft plastics.

[@williamcowperthwaite5775]

Using actual video really got me thinking. I use to use my swimming pool to watch lure actions! Seeing lure presentations under real water conditions WOW! puts a whole new twist on what really is happening under the surface. Thanks Steve!!! Your Videos are tops!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! It is sure interesting to watch. I’m always surprised by what I think is happening vs what is happening. So fun to figure out.

[@omelettedufromage11]

The underwater footage was incredibly helpful, thank you for your effort in capturing it!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It was quite the process. Lol. I need to hire some help for sure.

[@omelettedufromage11]

​@@SteveRogersOutdoorssee if there are any universities nearby doing freshwater studies, I'm sure there would be some students happy to help depending on their research topics

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@omelettedufromage11 that is a terrific idea!

[@tobybobo6539]

Your attention to detail on all your under water videos is very impressive. Thanks for your hard work Steve

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@J-Burgerz]

👍 Can attest that the buoyant fluke on a Carolina rig can slam them. Make sure not to go too heavy on the hook gauge though or it’ll defeat the purpose. This is also great if you’re out with the kids and want to put them on fish while also avoiding untangling birds nests from their casting. Just set them up on a nice drift and watch them have fun. 👍

[@bradr.7249]

Really eye opening video Steve! I have never even considered a fluke style bait on a Carolina Rig! I know what I'm buying next time I go tackle shopping. Thanks for all the hard work making this video!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! I was really surprised too.

[@redbeard6606]

Great underwater video, Steve. It’s interesting to see how different baits react. Thanks for all your hard work creating these videos for us.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! It was a fun process.

[@AMERICANSUPPLY-s5h]

I have so been looking for something different to put on my c rig. cant wait to try this. thank you again and again for all you do Steve.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! I have really loved using it.

[@fermiticus4034]

In shallow-ish water (up to 6-7')...Banjo Minnow!!! I get "poo-pooed"a lot for it...but I'd put that bait up against any other soft plastic(and just about anything else!), in most situations. I don't bother with the goofy corkscrew hooks...I Carolina rig it, an rarely use a weight(if I do, it's a tiny split shot). I found some on Ebay (25 pack), that are just the baits, without all the extra crap...totally worth it!!!! I've caught L/M, S/M, white and rock bass, pike, musky, walleye, king and coho salmon, steelhead, browns, and some monster crappie with the 6" Banjo. Don't let the "as seen on tv" gimmick fool ya!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

When that minnow first came out I bought a bunch as well, and I agree with you, I caught an absolute pile of fish on that thing. Those corkscrews were a pain. Lol. I didn't even realize they still made them.

[@davidewing6394]

Steve, this channel is money! So glad I found it. Best one out there.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! That means a lot to me.

[@Nate_Cross]

I can appreciate how much work went into this. Nicely done! ❤️👊🔥

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I sat on the dock for so long that my legs were going numb! Lol.

[@_Lt__Dan_]

I really like your content. Very informational even for a veteran fisherman.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! And thank you for watching!

[@rickyreynolds9056]

Love the under water video’s!! Love the fact that you run a positive channel!! I am trying to pull the ole ball and chain more here lately and I will try this! Thank you!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Good luck and thank you for watching!

[@jdock32778]

Try CPF Lures. Amazing products!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will have to look them up. Thank you!

[@toddlester8063]

For those looking for a good hook to use with these 5" elaztech fluke style baits, I recommend checking out the Mustad Grip Pin style hooks.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have heard a lot of great things about those. I keep forgetting to buy them. Thank you!

[@daveprost2336]

Saw a little video about that hook, ordered some, they just arrived, they look good. Mustard Grip Pin KVD Ref # 38101NP-BN I got the 4/0.

[@itllkeal]

Thank you for doing what you do. I think you're a great teacher so stick with it.

[@562handsomemike]

I love sharing your videos to our fishing group in my area! Keep up the great work!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Will do! Thank you.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

I never thought about it but a Z Man soft plastic on a Carolina rig could be awesome for the saltwater around grass flats. And with a short leader it could catch flounder, we use it with live bait for them. Just today I bought some 4" scented Z Man EZ shrimp because little fish destroy Berkley Gulp tails. Gulp is pretty awesome for flounder but it gets eaten by croakers and little bluefish or other little fish. Z Man doesn't get as many bites but it works and it doesn't get chewed up. The ribbon fish here are especially bad, with barracuda type teeth. Anyway a Carolina rig might be better than a jig head for the flats. Weedless jugs aren't very weedless and the action could be better on that rig. I'll have to try it.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Very interesting! Let me know how that goes.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I always liked to use my own open-pour worms that had no salt so that tail floats up in the water. But after seeing this, I'm thinking I might try that soft jerkbait. The fish will very quickly tell you what they like or don't like, and that certainly looked as though the bass were attracted to it!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

They had a good time with it for sure. I was a mess trying to film, run the rod, and watch those little guys. Lol.

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanks Steve. I really enjoy your videos. I understand you have sponsors to satisfy but you don't go overboard. Carolina rigs are not used much in my area but I am going to give light carolina rigs a go.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Good luck!

[@markhogquist2000]

Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Steve. If you haven't already, you should definitely try some of these flat baits, such as the Jackall Honey Nugget, OSP Dolive Gill, and Deps Bull Flat. These soft baits slowly glide unlike any other soft plastic style I've ever used. A lot of people use them with the free rig as well for that exact reason. Grab a pack or two and give em a try.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will do that! Thank you. They are going on my list.

[@johnhill2298]

Thank you so much Steve! I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into helping us out!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

You're welcome! I hope it was helpful.

[@vinnylivoti9567]

Great video Steve, 21 baits must have taken some to to test. Thanks for putting in the work and time to do this for us. Have you ever tried Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hybrid worm hook for a Carolina rig? I find these hooks to be amazing. Especialy fishing a Carolina rig you some times have to make a long hookset. These hooks excell at this.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have not tried that one yet. I need to put a hook order together for sure. Thank you!

[@vinnylivoti9567]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors If you are putting an order in I will take a few packs please. Hahaha. IF you are placing an order another great hook they make that I have been using this season is the Gamakatsu Offset G-Lock Worm Hooks. Steve keep in mind these hooks run a bit smaller than a standarded hook. I don't know if it because of the wide bend that somehow is part of th sizing and not the length. So if you wanted a 2/0 you would use a 3/0 on this hook. The hook to land ratio, on both these Gamakatsu are amazing. I have yet to loose a fish that I have hooked with these. I have been mostly using them to make my own Jika Rigs.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@vinnylivoti9567 thank you!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Hey, Steve. Pray all is well. Live this video. Be well

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

You too! It was in the 60s this morning here. Couldn’t believe it. Boy did it feel great! Have a terrific week!

[@shannonkirby9295]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors sounds wonderful

[@SMC4117]

Just an observation not pertaining to C rigs … I’m putting together a tackle box for Mexico and I started researching Acme Kastmasters. We all know that they work for trout but after watching some larger versions in underwater videos… the action is incredible and I am seriously considering throwing one in late Fall for bass…🎣

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is excellent. I will have to look that up. Thank you!

[@davidwilliams1805]

Great video! Appreciate this information, because I throw a caroling-rig quite often. I've got to get some of those and try them out. Thanks for sharing Steve. As always, #SteveRogersOutdoors rocks!!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Good luck! Let me know how it goes for you.

[@RCSTILE]

Ten years ago Z-Man made an 8" lizard called the Iguana. It would float a 5/0 heavy wire worm hook. Fabulous C rig bait.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have some! They are. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Paul_T82]

Thanks for another great video! It was very helpful, as usual.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! It was a lot of tinkering around but I really enjoyed seeing what was going on.

[@mattkraemer471]

Great video Steve. I definitely learned something!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@mattpotts110]

This channel is incredible

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@rickvann3489]

Great conclusion

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@CS-wp5dz]

Great video as always. When you said the smaller Jerk Shadz size you like I am guessing the 4” and not the 3 1/2? Appreciate your work as always.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks for watching! The one I used for the smaller one was a 3 1/2” Baby Z Too. The 4” would be perfect as well!

[@CS-wp5dz]

So teach me lol. If I want to order so you get some credit or 💰 from my order do I just tap below on the bait I want or do I need to add a code? I’ve never tried to do that. I usually just go to the website. I spend thousands on stuff. And if it helps I’m game. Do you have a code or way for me to type it in? Or just click the link on a specific bait from your videos? Sorry to bug. Just want to make sure I do it correctly.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@CS-wp5dz Just click on any of the links below in the description and then shop away. No code needed. Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@garyong2499]

I'm guessing you didn't test my favorite c-rig or splitshot bait, the hand poured Reaper. Don Iovino seems like they just got discontinued, but the 4" and 6" will do "the glide" very well.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will have to look for some! Thank you for sharing that.

[@beavisbrowne3497]

Fantastic video

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! And thank you for watching.

[@robertbrost7777]

Steve, the C Rig is something I don't use but, that 5" Elaztech soft jerkbait fluke may be something I want to try when using a Zoom Super Fluke. Lately my bass have shut off to my usual tricks of the Drop Shot and Finesse TRD Ned Rig but, I have discovered something they really like. The swim jig with a Rage Menace Twin Tail Grub has been slamming them and, big ones! I toss it out, let it fall and then snap it two times off the bottom the way you would snap a lure up when setting the hook. It's a workout on my right arm but, boy has it been working. Most times they hit it on the way back down and, sometimes they get off half way back to the shore but, I'm so happy to have found something. The bass aren't hungry but, this presentation sure does draw reaction strikes!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is awesome! Thank you for sharing all this for everyone. That grub is my favorite swim jig trailer. Just love it.

[@rickvann3489]

I split shot rig all my fluke style baits and floating ones with slow sink work best.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I'm so glad you mentioned this. Split shot rigs are something I always forget about and it works so well.

[@rickvann3489]

@SteveRogersOutdoors for 6 feet or less water anyway. Showed a few Yankees and things or two on the lower part of Lake Champlain, they got schooled.

[@walterwest7457]

Steve, I really like the idea of the salt impregnated Elaztech. Is this 3X BABY Z-TOO SOFT JERKBAIT the bait you mentioned?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is. Both the baby and the full size 5”.

[@bxcloud104]

Can you do a Free Rig vs unpegged Texas Rig underwater comparison? I want to know if the glide time is longer on the Free Rig.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is an excellent idea. I will put it on my list of topics right now. Thank you!

[@darthjar9117]

I would think the zman stuff would stay off the bottom a little better.

[@timwilliams632]

Reading through the description, maybe I missed it,I am trying to figure out which was the salt impregnated soft bait on the end of your Carolina Rig that glided so well

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

They are either the Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz or the Strike King Z Too. Thanks for watching!

[@Steve16346]

Ok so who makes the bait? Either strike king or z-man?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have the links for them in the drop-down of the video description. They will either be the Z Man Scented Jerk Shadz or the Strike King Z Too. Thank you for watching!

[@comfortablynumb9342]

Do fish taste or smell the salt in a soft plastic bait?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

There has been a lot of debated research on that one. And it seems pretty split on the effectiveness of holding onto the lure, but it definitely helps with sink rate and lure density. Personally, I have always had a lot of confidence with salt-impregnated lures.

[@seatee4770]

Strike king too soft?

[@thatfamousguy]

Interesting. How does salt impregnated go in salt water?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a great question. I live in the Midwest so I don't fish salt water a lot. It is pretty heavy, so I would sure guess it would sink.

[@562handsomemike]

Specifically which salt impregnated the last tech 5 inch product did you find you like the best? Thank you in advance. Sorry for the talk to text.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The Z man scented jerk shadz and the Strike King Z too are basically identical and work really well. The one in the video was the Z too.

[@562handsomemike]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors Awesome, thank you so much!

[@alessioghiraldelli1295]

Steve what hooks do you use for floating elaztech soft plastic lures? With classic Texas hooks my lures sink

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great question. I like to use a light wire offset worm hook. I try to get away with the smallest I can.

[@alessioghiraldelli1295]

Thx😊

[@burrmcconnell4332]

Have you tried the M-Pack Shad?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I have not. I will have to for sure!

[@tonyb-50]

👍

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@leepao6302]

Fish and worm shape bait floating. Creature and craw shape to sink. Simple as that

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks for watching!

[@kenneth9874]

Unfortunately it's so hot here that elastec melts

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a definite downside. My brother had that happen to a box of his Ned lures last year.

[@sonnygreen9698]

DUDE !! 😳 😂😂

[@seatee4770]

is that a Z-man bait?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is the Strike King version, but Zman makes it for them.

[@seatee4770]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors Oh ok. That floating action is kind of like hoverstrolling.

[@neek2384]

I run fluke 80% of time on c rig

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It’s a good one!

[@machoman5928]

Who makes salt impregnated elastic bauts?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Both Z Man and Strike King have them. The Z Man is the Scented Jerk Shadz and the Strike King is the Z Too. I have links down below so people can look at them. Thanks for watching!

[@lenclark6099]

Steve, just wanted to enterject a suggestion on lures for the Carolina rig! This is a lure that has been unbelievable here in Southeast and "east TEXAS foe years and still is!!! It known by its former name[ BUBBLE FRY] by its original manufacturer, but they went out of business severalthese lures and sells them years ago. Now, so many fishermen relied on this bait to fill a limit of good fish that some of the better known 😂Fishermen in this area of TEXAS that one Game Warden contacted the old mfg.people and bought the remaining stock that they had and also bought their molds!!! He now makes and sells these baits under a new name, SMASH TECH!!! I would love for you to try some of these BUBBLE FRIES and let me know,what you think!!! These baits have many appendages and holes,placed to the body that trap air and makes them more buoyant and they sink very slowly!!!most o Popular color is the chartreuse, excuse my spelling, pepper bubble fry. They come in a variety of colors!!! Try them, I think you will be very happy you did!!! Thanks STEVE!!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is great! I will definitely have to try that. Thank you so much for sharing all this.