Carolina Rig 101 | How to Rig and Fish with Jacob Wheeler

[@Strongobado]

The underwater footage of the rig working is absolutely fantastic!

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks Landon, good to know it's worth going though the effort to get these shots. We think it's a good way to support the teaching points as well -- at least more interesting than watching someone talk.

[@alexdowns4783]

My favorite bait to use on a Carolina rig is those zman elastic ones. They are very buoyant and they suspend really well

[@brettoetting]

Always wondered about that but never tied one on, gonna give it a try

[@regulardude2011]

I am a new fisherman! I just started a couple weeks ago. I have tried a lot of rigs now, and C rig seems to work great! Where I fish, I catch lots of panfish. But today, I caught two bass at local city park. A 12inch bass and a small 4inch baby bass. I fish with earth worms. This rig is great at finding fish! I found one spot today and was pulling them one after another. One thing I hate though, that sometimes I gut hook the fish and can’t get the hook out! Im not a pro by any means, still learning how to properly use this rig, but I do catch quite a bit of fish once I find where they are

[@joshua87Adam]

I've never used a Carolina rig. I've used drop shots, mostly when im wanting a soft plastic to stay in the strike zone. But I also fish a lot of muddy bottoms, so i really haven't had the opportunity to do so, but i plan on trying it soon. Thanks for sharing these videos 🤘

[@workingclasschump]

1. Great vid! I've never seen such a slow hook set and maybe I need to try that. 2. The bait doesn't seem to be floating at all; but more like it stays on top of rocks longer before slipping down the side. 3. I think the c-rig big advantage is the bait is so much lighter the fish is much less likely to quickly spit it out. So better odds of hooking up.

[@Im118ish]

Delayed hookset is the biggest necessity fishing Texas/Texposed rigs IMO...took me ages to dial myself in to not jump the gun,& actually start catching fish on the rig...when I feel something on I basically reel down to hooksets position& mouth to myself "lets go for a ride" as my delay before setting the hook. Make up your own delay,& you'll be golden!

[@kennyyi1269]

@@Im118ish yup, I'm a fan of doing GMan's classic nod and saying "There he is" before a hookset

[@wyattsousa4081]

That’s why we use a Texas rigged senko

[@muskietime]

Great video with outstanding underwater shots. Love the detailed descriptions and hyperlinks to all of the products used in the video. Just jealous on how clean and not tattered Jacob’s fishing gloves are. I don’t have one pair that doesn’t look like they have been through the war! Be well.

[@DogInTheFray6037]

I haven't gone out for a couple years, but just got a Mastiff puppy and decided to look into something he can participate in for work, couldn't remember my old set up... Just wanted to say your video brought waves of nastalgia and familiarity. It's clear to see you really understand rod and line mechanics, and also fish behavior, and i agree once i learned about this rig, its worked for me every where From Texas to Alabama and even Colorado. I think ots just too easy to get snagged running a sinker too low to the bottom, giving yourself just the right amount of weight to get an accurate cast, but not too much so you can have some fluidity and get your bait and or lure to move appropriately in the current, almost makes it impossible to not get a good pull. Thank you so much for this i Appreciate it!

[@Wired2Fish]

Glad to hear it. Hopefully you and the mastiff can share the boat together! Better be a big boat 🐕.

[@mikedaily3891]

I know that this is an old video, however, during the dog days up here in Illinois fishing is pretty rough. Much like alot of places right now. Looking for something new to present and ran across this with Jacob. Watched it Sunday morning. I have all the ingredients to build this rig. Planning on throwing it next to a weed line outside the main channel of the Mississippi river. Took it out last night in a stump field and I put a 12 inch Yamamoto Curly Tail on it the first cast and drag I caught a 3.5. Crazy.....Good Job Jacob. Love the content.

[@Wired2Fish]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing Mike.

[@jkdurden]

Thanks for the tips and that underwater footage is stellar!

[@Wired2Fish]

Our pleasure! Appreciate you watching and dropping the comment.

[@joshuaneal4125]

My grandpa taught me the "rig" over 30 years ago. Gear has definitely changed in 30 years but the carolina rig caught fish then and I still catch fish today

[@Wired2Fish]

Very cool. Great pass down of knowledge from your grandfather. The Carolina Rig will always remain one of the all-time greats!

[@jonboatjonfishing]

I really just started throwing the old “ball and chain” this year... catching 19lbs in a 3n5 really just hooked me 🤟🏾

[@ejzabojnik834]

Based on your video the monofilament leader line was not floating your bait above the bottom. Mono doesn't even have the floating capability of floating your 3/0 hook off the bottom.

[@billyking3012]

This was frustrating, hearing him talk multiple times about the bait floating up, while watching it be glued to the bottom! Wheeler is one of the best to ever do it though

[@dhjhawk]

Needed more explanation of Carolina rig and appreciate getting from an expert like Wheeler. Thanks

[@PatrickC63]

Awesome illustration, thank you!

[@deadpanfish]

Been using this rig all summer slaying when other people are catching nothing. Just with use half a crawler. It's especially good in currents. Never made the leader that long tho... 18-20" maybe. Thought it was harder to hook up the longer I go, will try going with more length maybe. Gonna try some 10" worms and creature baits too. Thanks for this bud!

[@Wired2Fish]

Right on, thanks for the info. No doubt real crawlers gotta be an awesome bait. Likely to get a few others species doing that. Keep getting after it!

[@michaelcowell773]

Definitely gonna try this technique with those baits

[@williewilson8244]

THANK YOU soooo much I have moved to Alabama and I am trying to figure out how to fish out here and it’s so NICE to see a pretty in-depth explanation about the why

[@phillamoore157]

Still my go-to rig when I'm on a new body of water, or an area I'm not as familiar with. Its "safe" than hurling a $10+ dollar crankbait, and on spinning tackle you can cast it a country mile, and cover a MASSIVE amount of territory. Glad we're seeing pro's revisit this technique. My only complain is that the people who don't fish it can kill fish not realizing the bite, and setting the hook quickly enough. Short of that, on many days it's the first rod I pick up, if the morning top water has shut down, or not working at all.

[@Tomcat1957]

Great presentation, good job. Will try it this weekend.

[@Wired2Fish]

Good luck!

[@wyattsousa4081]

Can I throw this on braid with a mono leader

[@willtrax71]

3 likes but no answer. Yes absolutely and the sensitivity is amazing with the Braid.

[@joegrande4848]

Yes fluorocarbon is to me too brittle not very abrasion resistant. I hate fluorocarbon

[@shaunmoeller3288]

Why not just use a braid leader... braid floats

[@DonFinesseTV]

@@shaunmoeller3288braid easy to see in clear waters

[@softaildiaries]

Thoughts on braid as your main line?

[@mch.l.trecords9169]

I have been fishing for 25 years of my life and one thing that makes me cringe every time is when people are trying to catch something other than Bass and I recommend using a Carolina rig and they think the Carolina rig is only for Bass fishing. And I have to literally sit there and explain to them that the Carolina rig is actually a multi-species rig just like the long forgotten split shot rig was back in the day. I mean for crying out loud I'm not even a bass angler and I have used the Carolina rig for Catfish, Panfish, Trout, and even saltwater Red Snapper.

[@jameslovelace8958]

Pickwick ! Lord I love that lake.

[@azimsuhaimi7083]

Thanks for the tip! I've been trying to perfect this technique, used this for peacock bass fishing in Malaysia, very effective and it's been widely used now.

[@toddcooper3599]

Merry Christmas From The Cooper's Cleburne, Texas

[@wulfn7]

C-Rig is one of those techniques that seems to always get bit. I used to HATE throwing it but catching 18lbs off one spot changed my mind.

[@Wired2Fish]

Tough to argue with success like that. Thanks for sharing Corey.

[@MrBarboza92]

18 lb what!? 😮

[@ThanksForAnEasyWin]

@@MrBarboza92 18 lbs combined, not just one fish.

[@APPLEPIE978]

If you use a bullet sinker instead of an egg sinker, you can get stuck in weeds less.

[@thejuice8076]

This is the only thing my dad uses and he has for years and I bring out all the latest techniques and lures and he’ll beat me every time.

[@prideNwinning12]

Thank you Jacob that was something I needed that heck yeah

[@RamenRanger313]

Quite literally taking up fishing. So, there are no bad habits or preconceptions. I saw this set up on a different video, but he just went through it without taking the time to show you how to do it. Thank you, I'm looking forward to trying it out. How does it do on a river or best on a lake?

[@troyharper7546]

Awesome video JWheels 💯 Great information and tips buddy Thank You 👍💯 definitely going to try this AsAp 💯💯 #HometownGuy

[@ibrahimozsarac4905]

At 8:20 what is the brand and model of the fishing rod behind you?

[@jayblemsin4226]

Nrx 943c mbr

[@rick4649]

Great video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@jamessipes122]

Jacob, how is the chart plotter on the right side of your bow mounted? It looks like the mount is attached on the outside of the gunnel.

[@Everydayfishing]

I know I’m a few months early but I’m looking forward to using the Carolina rig more this summer - awesome in depth look at this technique here!

[@Rob-tl9md]

Isn't the purpose of having the line passing through weight so they can easily take the bait and not the weight for a really tough bite? pegging weight seems to eliminate that.

[@tylercasey21]

Thank you for your explanation!!

[@RavenclawFtW3295]

You may not know this, but during the Walleye run here in northwest Ohio, we use a modified version of the Carolina Rig. It's insanely popular in March and April. We use an inline sinker, a leader, and a floating jig with a twister tail at the end.

[@terrybuckner6511]

Would you ever put a paddle tail swim bait on a Carolina rig set up

[@JohnHarrison-jl4wk]

I know your not asking me but I’ve had luck using a 3’8 Kai tech or a googans saucy swimmer.. I just fish it slow and try and let it imitate a wounded or dying baitfish.. caught a few nice ones this way.. I think there’s a video on here somewhere

[@TheLordtaiko]

I'm new to fishing, can you put a jig hook on this or is that for something different?

[@Wired2Fish]

First off, welcome to fishing -- the sport is glad to have you. Rigging the plastic on a jig head and dragging across the bottom would be a reasonable method of fishing the plastic but you wouldn't do so as part of the Carolina Rig setup. Part of the uniqueness of the Carolina Rig is the unweighted plastic trailing the weight and being pulled, kicked up and moving naturally untethered to the weight. Dragging or hopping a football jig (or jig and plastic as you describe) is an excellent alternative method -- this video is a good primer on that technique: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZLXhWCFr9Zspac

[@charlesrowe2149]

I caught many fish where the barb did not penetrate the lips of a big fish And I got lucky to catch the fish but keep tension on it and as soon as it hit the bottom of the boat it came loose that's why I prefer the bigger hook

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

I always have one tied on. It’s that one that after the fish have turned down my fun baits ... I throw it and catch fish. My wife is in the boat like: why didn’t you start with that?! Haha

[@JustinCaudill14]

That’s why Gerald Swindle calls it “The Quitters Rig”. Haha. He says that’s what everyone goes to when nothing else works. We hang our head and start winding it around. Lmao. I can’t really argued with him, bc I know I fall into that category myself!!

[@leorickt.9604]

I really dont find the carolina rig that boring to fish

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

Scruffy City Fishing that’s so true it’s boring as hell but it produces

[@chumdinger_official]

I’m broke and love to fish. Maybe you are too. A couple 7’1”-7’3” medium heavy rods 12-15lb fluorocarbon line will fish just about anything you will ever want to throw. You DON’T need a rod for every bait... great content nonetheless.

[@Wired2Fish]

Totally agree Justin!

[@notsure8327]

If I could only have two, a 7’ Medium moderate and like you said a 7’-7’3” MH. And when that stimmy hits, add a 7’ M spinning rod to take care of all your finesse stuff 😂

[@coryambush]

Fantastic informative video. Keep it up.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks for the comment C Ambush.

[@coltonn322]

Great rig cause you can throw a weightless bait in the wind, and the weight being away from the bait makes for a smaller bite getting profile. I like to call that cast a 'lasso' cast

[@Wired2Fish]

Very true!

[@jamesbarron1202]

Jacob talking about sound attraction and I didn’t see a Hydrowave in his boat and he’s one of the very best on tour. I’d like to know what percentage of the pros actually use one. I’ve never seen one in David Dudleys boat either and he’s sponsored by TH Marine. I ask him once on a live feed about it and his response to everyone was “He’s trying to find out about my Hydrowave” without acknowledging he uses one. I’d love to see a vid on the Hydrowave topic.

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi James, a lot of pros have positive stories using the Hydrowave -- interesting fish mood changes, etc. Here's a video we filmed with KVD going through his application for Hydrowave and how he uses the different sound profiles --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqSupmWgj9KeiKM

[@jamesbarron1202]

Wired2Fish Yes, but KVD was sponsored and had ownership in the company when it started. My question is what % of the pros have one in their boats in 2020. It wouldn’t be to difficult to find out at a weigh in by looking at the speakers on their stowed trolling motors. I’ll get that opportunity at the next Bassmaster Classic since I’m a 5 minute drive from Roberts. I wish they’d do the weigh in closer to the locals who really fish here instead of Ft. Worth. I won’t be driving to Ft. Worth but I can see them as they load up each day.

[@charlesrowe2149]

I would always use a 5/0 hook .... because I want that hook to be able to get around the thicker lips? Of a bigger fish to get a good hook set..

[@baseket2ball12]

Does that hook that you’re using not have a barb?

[@Madmok128]

Is it like a Ned rig in regards to success?

[@billstouder3709]

What pole do you use for warm and jig fishing and also what size line thanks

[@quinmatthew1]

I honestly like the design of the googan baits I've been bit on just about every googan plastic I've thrown, my only complaint is they have the durability of wet toilet paper, I get that good business is to get me to buy more but I'm honestly looking for more durable alternatives

[@stevenodaniel6038]

Thanks for the knowledge brother!💪

[@Wired2Fish]

No problem 👍. Thanks for watching Steven.

[@thomasdoheny8096]

I've always wanted to stick with the Carolina rig in a lake I fish loaded with giant bass, walleye and big healthy stocked trout that live for many years with great habitat for all three species. The problem I have is the heavy wieght picks up a huge clump of dead decaying aquatic vegatation in the spring time from last years plant die off . I have always assumed fish will be turned off by this does anybody know if it makes the C- rig ineffective?

[@СергейУсанов-к2в]

Спасибо за видеообзор!ЛАЙК!

[@jb_wathen]

How does he "peg" the sinker so it stays put?

[@crobarrm8695]

You don't want it pegged.

[@minnesotabassfishingtv473]

Could I use braid as a main line

[@foreverfender]

I have but if you're fishing bottom with a lot of rock or zebra mussels, you'll lose a lot of weights because the braid cuts so easily.

[@bassboat1]

I always use braid main line - great feel especially deep.

[@Wired2Fish]

Absolutely. A lot of guys have good success with braid, it's just a matter of adjusting rod and hooksets to account for the no-stretch mainline. Spent a few days fishing with Roland Martin on Lake Baccarac Mexico last year and he fishes his C-Rig with a 65lb braided mainline and 20lb monofilament leader. - Ryan

[@bassasltv4803]

Hi...I'm going to try this.What gear ratio you recommend for carolina rig?

[@mickeybauer1693]

You want a faster reel to catch up with em..and if ur making long cast to small spots you can reel it in a make another cast a lot quicker..this technique has kinda faded away and returned to the scene a couple times in the past 30 years but I've never stopped..its been tied on since I was pond fishin in high school.

[@gerardhaubert8210]

Wouldn’t a bottom bouncer work the same?

[@matruthn.m.bassin]

Like is this only for Boat fishing??

[@Wired2Fish]

Not at all, it's a good shore technique if you have a relatively clean, gravelly bottom. You can also cast it a mile so that's a definite shore fishing plus.

[@earniederboven5100]

My favorite way to fish is carolina rigs even with catfish bass...

[@pondbossbaits4579]

I’m a shorter leader guys 16”-18”. What’s the need for more slack?

[@Wired2Fish]

Personal preference and situational. Some guys like to stroke a C-Rig and get the bait a good distance off the bottom and have it slowly fall back down -- this can be a powerful trigger. In the case of this video, Wheeler likes the bait to drift downstream independently of the bait.

[@danyaj9657]

Whats the knot he use that help too

[@Wired2Fish]

Jacob using a palomar knot for most of his connections.

[@Surfer-727]

Jake is the Truth.✔

[@Wired2Fish]

Yes sir!

[@mylesaway1549]

Carolina rig was the drop shot rig before there was a drop shot rig (natural) presentation for your bait as for hype

[@mylesaway1549]

Carolina rig is a lost art on many folks

[@ghoumaanis5292]

Ottima canna qualità prezzo, molto resistente e con anello per l'aggancio del mulinello su

[@realfishingalabama-jaycroc288]

What is wrong with using braid then mono?

[@jamesbarron1202]

Real Fishing Alabama it can break the mono on a hard hook set and a big bass because there’s not much mono there to stretch. I did it for a while and had a couple break offs on big fish. It’s a lot more sensitive but I don’t like break offs. I guess open water would be fine but I’m usually in heavy timber and have to put pressure on them. Everybody has their own style

[@SquireBozorth]

James Barron just have to train yourself to go lighter. That being said I used to bobber fish for 20+ lb chinook with braid to 36” mono and never snapped and our hooksets were major bat swinging whacks. Mono was at least 30lb maxima tho... lol

[@jamesbarron1202]

Squire Bozorth I’m usually in heavy deep timber 95% of the time and big Texas bass. You can’t go easy or lighter on them or they’ll wrap you up.

[@SquireBozorth]

James Barron yes timber is a real ?!#%??!!*!! We get a lot of river timber here in the PNW rivers. We just try and horse em a little but truth be known once a coho salmon goes under a log jam you are almost certainly SOL

[@SquireBozorth]

James Barron my bass fishing is primarily in the river for smallmouth (Willamette River OR) and timber tangles less of a worry

[@masfishing1]

Great video! As a bank angler, would u change the size of the weight or would u have any other tips on this C-rig that would be different for bank anglers. Just for info, my favorite lake here in northern calif is pretty rocky and u get a lot of snags. Would I hop the bait more than drag? Would I change the shape of the sliding weight? Anything else?

[@pondbossbaits4579]

1/2oz will probably do you. It’s what I use when I’m on the bank. Works great and not usually fishing too deep from the bank.

[@masfishing1]

@@pondbossbaits4579 Thank u for the information.

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi Mike, craggy rock is a challenge for the C-Rig. A couple adjustments that you might make: 1) perhaps use a shorter leader to make casting more manageable (16-20''), and 2) lighten up your weight, to say a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce. You could definitely hop it a bit more but you'll continue to snag using most weight types assuming there are a lot of gaps in the rock. A Neko rig (kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2SToX5ohbl8bs0) may be a better overall presentation if you do snag using the C-Rig -- the Neko is fairly snag resistant while also presenting a wide range of plastics on the bottom where the fish are. Thanks for the comment and good luck!

[@masfishing1]

@@Wired2Fish thank u for giving me an alternate. I leep saying im going to try Neko rig one day, well now I know this Neko might be the best thing for my rocky lake. Thx!!

[@mikegardiner3934]

Agree, I would even say 1/4 if doing it slow and uphill. However you get too much later, like in a pond, it turns into a finesse clam shot rig. :-)

[@JohnHarrison-jl4wk]

Good co angler technique as well.. if the boat owner isn’t putting you on a lot of fish😂😂 bomb that ball and chain and give it a drag

[@absoluteqw]

One thing that has always concerned me was fishing the Carolina rigg too slowly and end up hooking fish too deeply. Obviously not an issue if you're keeping the fish to eat.

[@Wired2Fish]

Appreciate your conservation mindset. You should definitely get on them after feeling a bite. Only takes a second for bass to inhale -- seems they're usually hooked in the mouth if you get after it after detecting the bite. That said, it's good to keep this deep hook removal process at the ready --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpW8fpKKpZp2bMU

[@mylesaway1549]

Leader length is determined by casting an cover

[@glennholmes9109]

What would you throw night fishing on a clear night

[@mylesaway1549]

@@glennholmes9109 funny thing is i rarely night fish, not a fan of it I KNOW you can have great success however just never liked it bats,bugs etc With that being said when I do go out I'm starting with a buzzbait Followed by some other prop style top water like a heddon torpedo Then depending on where im fishing I'll try to get away with running manns baby minus 1 Or spinnerbait

[@The_Garmin_Guru]

Not once does the bait float up. If you’re in doubt see all the videos attached. Geez.

[@wulfn7]

Floating is definitely misleading but the mono DOES make the bait glide to the bottom slower especially on longer leaders.

[@masfishing1]

I wonder if we used a Zman worm or creature bait if that would work to make bait float up?

[@chumdinger_official]

Zero float.. Im never sold on a specific leader line type.

[@SquireBozorth]

Ive been taking a large tube bait and cutting up those foam pool noodles into tiny pieces, sticking a piece up the tube then rigging it on a trokar tube hook on a carolina rig. It floats up awesome

[@SquireBozorth]

Plus you can use flouro

[@hugocarreon6523]

Guys if you don’t have a bead. Just use one of those small lego pieces as a bead

[@beowulf2285]

I’m not gunna lie, watching him drag that on the bottom was no different then a Texas rig on the bottom and bumping it. I do not or will not ever get the purpose of the Carolina rig, UNLESS your plastic is actually “floating” as you reel in. AND you have absolutely no weeds on the bottom. You run into one weed with that rig and your done. Reel in and clean your line. Anyway, just my irrelevant 2 cents

[@Im118ish]

I hear ya,,but I find keeping it moving a bit quicker so whatever I'm throwing doesn't get a chance to sit on the bottom..I know I lose some hookups while dragging the weight in whatever junk, but it's a nice tool to feel around where I can't see.

[@a_storm_inside7026]

I thought carolina rig was eith the weight below the hook. Hmm. The more you know. EDIT; i guess the one i use is called a drop rig.. damn

[@Suhdude13]

“Mono so the bait will float and move around.” *shows bait in water just DRAGGING across the bottom*

[@videojoe7]

Can some genius make Carolina Floaters again?

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

You'll feel the pull better if you don't peg the weight. Just sayin

[@jake-rz2fk]

on the tva? these guys make me feel stupid

[@Wired2Fish]

Yes sir. Wheeler has put in about 3 zillion hours scanning and finding sweet little spots like this.

[@jake-rz2fk]

@@Wired2Fish i was simply asking what a tva was, was this video supposed to make me feel stupid

[@dominiconate528]

@@jake-rz2fk tva stands for Tennessee Valley Authority

[@techtiger38]

It's damn near impossible to cast a Carolina Rig. Easy to fish hard to cast.

[@justsomerandommfer]

He looks like Lil Dicky

[@patrickverseveld1718]

You are a bad fishermen. You pull that perce out of the water whit no dril ore something. Bad sports like this

[@chipsammich2078]

Something about this guy just don't seem to line up..

[@jakethecarpenter]

His trophies line up nicely on the shelf.

[@BigSmokah518]

He can't pronounce or read "slider" lol wtf😊