Anglers Haven-Reel Addiction

27/04/2025

Carolina Rig

Why It Works:
• The Carolina rig is designed to drag a bait slowly along the bottom, keeping it in the strike zone longer.
• It separates the weight from the bait, letting the lure move naturally and freely while maintaining bottom contact.
• Perfect for covering deeper structure from the bank when fish pull offshore (especially during summer heat or post-spawn).
• Slow & steady wins: bass will follow and pick it up when they’re less aggressive or pressured.

Rod & Reel Setup:
• Rod: 7’3” to 7’6” Medium-Heavy Fast or Moderate-Fast action
(You want backbone to drive the hook through thick plastic but a little flex to drag the weight without ripping it too hard.)
• Reel: 6.4:1 or 7.1:1 baitcaster
(6.4:1 is perfect — it’s not too fast, so you can maintain the slow drag. But a 7.1:1 is fine if you’re quick on the pause.)
• Main Line: 15–17 lb fluorocarbon (or mono if you prefer a little stretch; fluoro for better bottom feel)
• Leader Line: 10–12 lb fluorocarbon
(Leader should be about 18–36 inches long depending on how active the fish are. Shorter = tighter to bottom; longer = more floating action.)

Weather/Condition Watch:
• Best in:
• Hot sunny days when fish are tight to deeper structures but won’t chase fast-moving baits
• Post-spawn when bass leave shallow nests and recover deeper
• Light to moderate wind (to create a slight current or movement, but not to wreck sensitivity)

What to Look for in the Water (From Shore):
• Gravel points leading into deeper water
• Humps you can reach with a long cast (shallow rises surrounded by deeper water)
• Creek channels or old ditches (even ponds have small dips and creek beds)
• Edges of drop-offs (where shallow water breaks into deeper pockets)
• Submerged vegetation edges or isolated brush piles

Rig Components:
• Egg sinker (½ oz to 1 oz depending on depth and wind)
• Glass bead (between the sinker and swivel) = clicking noise attracts fish
• Barrel swivel (prevents line twist)
• Leader (~2–3 ft, fluoro)
• Hook: 3/0 to 5/0 EWG (extra wide gap) hook
• Bait:
• Lizards — classic post-spawn choice
• Creature baits — craws, beavers
• Flukes — for a more baitfish profile
• Brush hogs — for big bites

How to Fish It:
1. Cast out as far as you can.
2. Let it sink completely to the bottom.
3. Slowly drag the rig back with long pulls of the rod — NOT by reeling.
4. Pause every few feet and let the bait sit.
5. Pay attention for “mushy” or “heavy” feelings — bites can feel like pressure instead of thumps.
6. Set the hook hard when you feel weight — you’ve got a lot of slack between you and the fish.

Pro Tip:
• Use a glass bead between the sinker and swivel!
When the weight clacks against the bead, it mimics the sound of crawfish clicking their shells — triggering feeding instincts in big bass.
• Lightly scent your bait (ex: garlic or crawfish scent) for even more pull in tough conditions.

21/04/2025

18/04/2025

Why It Works:
The Ned Rig is a subtle finesse technique that flat-out catches fish when nothing else will. It shines in high-pressure waters, cold fronts, or post-spawn funk — anytime bass are acting stubborn. Its small profile mimics an easy meal like a craw or baitfish head, and the slow, do-nothing action triggers reaction bites when other baits spook ’em.

Rod & Reel Setup:
• Rod: 6’6” to 7’0” Medium-Light, Fast Action
(Long enough to cast from the bank but still sensitive for finesse bites)
• Reel: 2000–2500 size spinning reel with a smooth drag
• Line: 8 lb fluorocarbon OR braid to fluorocarbon leader (10 lb braid to 6–8 lb fluoro)
(Fluoro sinks and keeps your bait on the bottom where it belongs)

Weather/Condition Watch:
• Cold fronts
• Bluebird skies after a storm
• Late winter, early spring, or mid-summer when bass go neutral
• Clear or lightly stained water where subtlety matters

What to Look for in the Water (From the Bank):
• Transitions: Sand to rock, mud to gravel — bass hang out where the bottom changes
• Grass lines: Cast to the edge or slightly inside pockets
• Isolated cover: Small rocks, wood, or sparse grass clumps
• Points or tapering banks that drop into deeper water
(Pro tip: Bass use those spots like rest stops)

Presentation Tips:
• Cast and let it fall on semi-slack line
• Wait… just wait — most bites happen on the fall or while it’s sitting still
• Use subtle twitches or drag it a few inches at a time
• If you’re seeing bluegill or minnows, match their vibe — smaller baits work better

Go-To Plastics for Ned Rig:
• Z-Man TRD
• Roboworm Ned Worm
• Missile Baits Ned Bomb
• Strike King Ned Ocho

Head Options:
• 1/16 to 1/10 oz weedless Ned head for bank fishing
(Use light wire hooks to pe*****te easier with light tackle)

Pro Tip:
“Dead-stick it longer than you think.”
You’ll feel nothing, then suddenly… tap. That’s your bite. Pause more than you want to — it’s not a race.