another Carolina rig question...

Saltwater Inshore Discussion
1

Do ya’ll use a stopper or tie a knot in the line above the egg sinker to keep it from riding up the line or just let it free ride?..if you use a stopper, what is used and where do you get them?

2

Very few people put a stopper above the sinker. And you certainly would not want to use a stopper knot, as it decreases line strength significantly by about 50% for the best knots. Very few issues of the sinker sliding up too far, essentially a non-problem.

Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115

Pungo 120
3

The only times I have issues with the egg sinker sliding too much is using a big bait and casting in deep water up current. Most of the times I just let it slide.

If you want to stop it. Just jam a toothpick in the sinker hole next to the line and snap it off. The toothpick will absorb water and swell up securing the egg sinker in place.

The big guy

4

Being able to slide is the beauty of the C rig. Allows the fish to pull line without pulling the weight with it.

It ain’t no mystery…this beer’s history!

5

I have never used a stopper.

I generally fished circle hooks when using a C-rig and allowing the fish to swim a bit before engaging drag/pressure is key.

6

Use a 6 inch leader (20 lb test).I never know why guys use 3 foot leaders on a carolina rig??

Stonoman

7
quote:
Originally posted by stonoman

Use a 6 inch leader (20 lb test).I never know why guys use 3 foot leaders on a carolina rig??

Stonoman

I usually start with no longer than a 2 ft leader and cut off about 4 inches after every good fish (or a deep swallow) and retie the hook. 90% of the time all the damage to the leader happens within 4 inches of the hook. Inspect the leader after you catch a fish. If you feel rough spots on it, cut off the damaged portion and retie. Those rough spots can reduce the breaking strength of the leader to less than half of it’s original breaking strength. Same thing if you get a wind knot in the leader. Cut off above the knot and retie the hook. Saves me the time of re-rigging the whole thing. Gets me back in the water quicker. 6 inches is as short as I’ll cut it down to. And you’re absolutely right that’s plenty long enough. I use longer just because of the time savings.

The big guy

8

I like about a 12" leader of 30# mono with a 3/0 circle. I tie the leader directly to the braid and place a small slipshot above and below my egg sinker. No problems, lots of fish and no issues at all.

Carolina skiff 218 DLV
Yamaha 115