Carolina Rig
A bottom-contact rig for covering points, flats, channel edges and offshore structure.
Best situations
This technique is especially useful around points, humps, roadbeds and channel edges. Let fish position, water clarity, current, wind and available cover determine exactly how aggressively you fish it.
Basic setup
Egg or barrel weight, bead, swivel, leader, hook and soft plastic. Match rod, reel and line strength to the cover, bait size and fish you expect to encounter.
Presentation
Make a long cast, let the rig reach bottom, then sweep it slowly with the rod. Reel up slack and repeat while feeling for changes in bottom composition.
Leader length controls how freely the bait moves; shorter leaders are easier around cover while longer leaders give a more separated presentation. On Louisiana waters, pay close attention to seasonal water level, current, vegetation and water clarity because these can change the productive version of the technique from one trip to the next.
When should you try it?
Late spring–fall is a good starting window, but Louisiana's mild climate can extend many patterns. Instead of relying only on the calendar, watch water temperature, spawning movement, bait location and recent weather.