Peter Larmand Articles
Carolina Rig
The Carolina rig is one of the most diverse and popular rigs widely used by tournament anglers. Unlike the Texas rigged worm which is designed to make regular contact with the bottom, the Carolina rigged plastic worm swims freely above the bottom. First thread a slip sinker on to the line, followed by a glass bead (I like the facetted beads) to protect the knot from the weight. This is were I’m a little different, next people normally use a barrel swivel and attach there leader. I cut a leader the length I want and attach it using a barrel knot. The barrel knot I find much stronger than a barrel swivel, plus it acts as a shock absorber. The leader should be anywhere from 12 to 48 inches in length, depending on how high you want the worm to float above the bottom.
Most anglers use weights from 1/2oz to 1oz. The heavy weight allows for long casts and keeps the sinker in constant contact with the bottom. The new tungsten weights I find even better because you can use a larger weight and the profile is smaller because it is heavier than the old lead weights. This in its self attracts fish, when the heavy sinker is plowing through the soft bottom; it kicks up clouds of silt that arouse a fish’s curiosity. Fish are also attracted to the commotion caused by the sinker bouncing over broken rock and the click of the weight against the glass bead. When the fish come around to check it out they see the worm swimming above the bottom and find it hard to resist.
Rigging the plastic worm with a worm hook, such as those used with the Texas rig, helps the worm from getting snagged. When the bottom is pretty much clear of snags I like to use exposed hooks which creates better hook ups with fish. My favorite worm to use on the Carolina rig has 2 exposed hooks formed in the body of the worm “Do nothing Worm”. Jack Chancellor used it to win the Bass Master Classic on the Arkansas River. The small hooks penetrate easily and the hook in the tail insures the catching of short-striking fish. I have not been able to find this worm for a while so I have learned how to tie my own rigged worms using a worm called the French fry and # 4 or #6 hooks. There are companies that still sell pre-rigged worms just search them out.
I find the Carolina rig to be especially productive when fishing large flats or long sloping points, with middle to very deep water. Make long cast and give your sinker time to get to the bottom. Retrieve by cranking the reel at a pace that is slow enough to keep the sinker in contact with the bottom. The only time I raise my rod tip is when I’m lifting the sinker over objects. If there is only one thing you remember from this article let it be you use the reel to retrieve your worm. This is so important!!! If you don’t your rod will be out of position to set the hook. Trust me I learned it the hard way!
When a fish finally does inhale your worm, you might only feel heaviness on the line if you’re using a large hook, snap the rod up sharply to embed the hook. With the small hooks in the worm I like to use, you just sweep to the side and keep reeling. With the use of the small hooks it is very important you do not set hard as with a big hook as most times you will tear the hook out of there mouths. The sweep is enough to get the hooks started and the fighting of the fish will do the rest.
If at first you don’t have success with this system stick with it, I use this way of worm fishing 70% of the time in tournaments and have good success.
See you on the water,
Jeremy Parker
