Twin Cities Team Club
March 5th 2006
Grand Bayou, Coushatta La.

 The TCTC fished the March Tournament at the Grand.  Nineteen teams were in participation at the end of the day with a few that had arrived late.

One of the most basic and widely known methods of fishing a plastic worm is the Carolina rig.  For most fishermen it is among the first techniques learned when they begin fishing.  The rig's beauty lies in its simplicity.  It is not hard to rig or fish.  The bites are often subtle, and the rig does not possess the "glitter and shine" of some others but when properly used it can flat out catch fish.  Let's take a look at this bass catching machine starting off with components and rigging.

The Carolina rig is simple to tie and fish, requiring no "specialty" tackle or knots.  Start off by slipping on either a bullet or barrel weight generally 1/2 oz. to 1 oz.  Brass has long been the preferred material for Carolina rigging because it is louder than lead.  However, tungsten now offers a louder, harder and smaller alternative.  Next, put on a glass bead or two under the weight.  This not only protects the knot on the swivel but also produces a rattling noise when it makes contact between the weight and swivel.  Now for the swivel.  Tie on a size 1 or 2 ball-bearing swivel or a size 10 to 7 barrel swivel. I stick to these sizes because they are heavy enough to withstand a big fish and small enough that they will not be easily spotted.  Tie on using the knot of your choice.  I prefer an improved cinch knot or a Palomar.  From the bottom of the swivel, tie your leader.  I generally use a leader that is from one foot to three feet in length.  Any shorter and the bait is not going to be off the bottom hardly at all.  Any more and the rig is extremely cumbersome to cast.  I generally use monofilament from ten to fourteen pound test for the leader.  Super braids are highly visible and fluorocarbons while invisible sink, eliminating the purpose of the rig (to float your bait off the bottom).  Now for the hook.  This is largely personal preference.  Use a hook that fits the bait you are throwing well.  That is about my only rule for hooks when fishing any plastic bait.