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FRESHWATER RIG LIBRARY

Carolina Rig (Freshwater)

A heavy sliding egg weight, a bead and a swivel on the main line, then a leader to a soft plastic. The weight finds the bottom while the bait floats and swims behind it.

Best forLargemouth & peacock bass
WherePoints, flats, ledges
MethodDragging the bottom
DifficultyEasy
Carolina Rig (Freshwater) — BigJoe rig illustration
Main lineEgg weightGlass beadBarrel swivelLeaderSoft plastic on an EWG hook

Rig diagram (component order)

Carolina Rig (Freshwater): Main line, Egg weight, Glass bead, Barrel swivel, Leader, Soft plastic on an EWG hook

Step-by-step how-to

Carolina Rig How To Graphic
Graphic: Tackle Village, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Step-by-step build instructions

  1. 1

    Slide the egg weight onto the main line.

  2. 2

    Add a glass bead.

  3. 3

    Tie on a barrel swivel.

  4. 4

    Tie an 18–48 in leader to the other eye.

  5. 5

    Tie on the EWG hook and Texas-rig the soft plastic.

  6. 6

    Long cast, then drag slowly with the rod tip and feel for structure.

BigJoe Tips

  • Sweep the rod sideways to drag; don’t reel the bait along.
  • A lighter leader breaks first and saves the weight.
  • Longer leaders for suspended or wary fish.
  • Floating plastics rise higher off the bottom.

Variations

  • Brass and glass for a louder click.
  • A small crankbait or fluke on the leader.
  • A lighter weight (1/4 oz) for a “split-shot Carolina”.
  • Tungsten weight for better bottom feel.

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Target Species

Largemouth bassMicropterus nigricansButterfly peacock bassCichla ocellarisJaguar guapoteParachromis managuensis