need some C-Rig tips

[al cannia]

Had a tourney last saturday and I blanked,my partner got two over 15" for us to weigh in so we got some points.I went back today to fish the lake(last week was first time ever) again and try to locate keeper sized fish.Found a couple 17" fish on C-Rig using a 2' leader and a 5" power jerk shad.When you C-rig do you just steady crank the reel/bait or do you sweep the rod slowly? I am weak on C-rigging,but it has been real hot here and the fish are deep and I can't get a bite on jig/craw which is what I usually get my bigger fish on.Have a tourney there again next saturday,hoping for redemption other C-rig baits tried today were,short worms,5"senkos,power craws with no fish on any of them,just the power jerk shad,have to get me some more of those for next week.

 

[Steven Parker]

Bill Dance did a show on C rig last night. It was on OLN. They may replay it tomorrow.



It had some good info. Personally, I slowly sweep and drag the rig across the botton. Feel pressure, reel down and ...SWING !!

 

[Bill Hamilton]

Al - I sweep it starting with the rod tip directly pointed at the c-rig location and then sweeping it ONLY 90 degrees either left or right. Bring the rod tip back to the starting location and bring in the slack as you move it back. This gives you a better feel of the bottom and also allows you adequate space to do a hook set. If you take it back any more than 90 degrees you lose that capability for the hook set.



Hope this helps but it's only my personal technique.



Bill in VA

 

[al cannia]

Thanks Bill,will give it a try next saturday,getting excited now,new tricks and decent fish to boot!

 

[BJ Laster]

Get Stacey King's video from BPS. I bought it a few months back and watched it because I was going to be fishing some water I knew C-rigs was what it would take.



Good Video and helped my C-rigging.



BJ

 

[Bill Hamilton]

BJ - Ever since you started working all you seem to do is hawk that BPS stuff! :lol::lol::lol:

 

[Texas Transplant]

Being that I'm in the Carolina's, and my home lake is Wylie (where the technique was born), it is used quite a bit around here. I've seen and used a number of techniques, and as always, it depends upon what the fish wants.



First, once 'bit' - certainly a sweeping hookset. Not a 'jerk'. The biggest thing is that you need to make sure that you sweep it far enough to account for slack in the leader and also stretch in the mono.



Leader length - the more clear it is, the longer the leader. I use florocarbon only on leaders. Also, use a longer leader if you are attempting to fish 'over' existing grass. If the grass is growing up 18", you need a longer leader so that your bait can 'get up'. Also, when fishing that type, probably consider using a 3x plastic that will tend to float.



I started out using the cast and 'hop' method. Cast out, let it settle, take up the slack and bring the rod back straight (from 9o'clock to noon). Hold the rod/line vertical, and wait till you feel the weight settle on the bottom (it's a feel thing). Just remember, that the soft plastic will likely be following along slowly. Let sit for a period, and repeat.



If I am draggin' a c-rig, I do it 'side armed' style. Quite a bit, I do this sitting down. I simply reel in the slack, and then slowly move the chair left to right with a slow movement, allowing the c-rig to be 'drug' along the bottom.



Then there is the cast and shake method. Same casting style, but then let the bait/weight settle, and very slowly 'shake the rod' and bring it back ever so slowly. You are simply trying to make the bait 'dance' on the bottom.



Deeper or windier, the bigger the weight. Just remember when casting, don't snap cast it, or you won't like the results. You need a large arc sweeping cast to get it out there.



Hope this helps.



Tex

 

[BJ Laster]

Bill- BPS sales a wide range of stuff. Their Video library is a good one. His C-rig video is good, go back to when I got back from vacation and I talked about the C-rigging I did and how I used his video as a guide line. i've used BPS stuff for a long time, even before the store opened here in OKC.



On the other hand, i'm still as pumped as can be that I work there, hasnt changed since day one!!!!