Carolina Rig

A Carolina-rigged soft bait has a free-sliding sinker placed over a swivel about 18 inches up the line from the lure. This keeps the bait suspended off the bottom and gives it good action and visibility. The bait is usually rigged weedless on the hook. As the sinker bounces along the bottom of the lake, it kicks up clouds of silt and makes a lot of commotion, which can usually get a bass's attention. In most conditions, cast the lure and let it sink to the bottom. Use a slow to medium speed retrieve, dragging or short-hopping the sinker with frequent pauses. Many anglers like to use a brass sinker and tie a glass bead below it-the clicking of the "brass-and-glass" works like a rattle and draws attention. Focus on submerged structure, points and slopes. The Carolina-rig has better action than a Texas-rigged bait, but isn't as efficient in heavy cover or against vertical structures.