When it comes to finding the best Carolina rig rod, there are a lot of factors to consider. As a result, it can be tricky to determine which one is right for you, but don’t worry – we’re here to help.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the key things you need to look for when choosing a Carolina rig rod, as well as some of our top picks.
So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, read on for the best advice on how to find the perfect Carolina rig rod for your needs.
What is Carolina Rig Rod?
A Carolina rig rod is a type of fishing rod specifically designed for use with a Carolina rig. This type of rig is used for fishing for bass, and it consists of the mainline, a leader line, and a weight.
The mainline runs from the reel to the lure or bait, while the leader line attaches to the lure or bait.
Fishing with a Carolina rigged rod is best done in areas with plenty of obstacles – like underwater structures and cover, trees, brush piles, etc.
The best place to fish with this type of rig is around marine structures such as ledges and drop-offs because the weight will sink quickly without getting hung up on the bottom.
What to Look for When Choosing a Carolina Rig Rod
There are a few key things you need to look for when choosing a Carolina rig rod:
- Length: The best length for a Carolina rig rod is between six and seven feet. This will give you enough distance to cast your lure or bait accurately, while still being able to handle the fish when you catch them.
- Action: The action of a Carolina rig rod is very important, as it determines how much power you have when fighting a fish. A moderate or fast action rod will give you more power and make it easier to reel in a big bass.
- Power: When looking for a Carolina rig rod, it’s important to choose one with the right amount of power. A powerful rod will be able to handle larger fish without breaking, while a weaker rod will snap under the stress.
- Type: There are three main types of Carolina rig rods – casting, spinning, and trolling. Casting rods are best for beginners because they are easy to use and provide more power. Spinning rods are good for finesse fishing while trolling rods are best for deep-water fishing.
Our Top Picks: Best Rod for Carolina Rig
Now that you know what to look for when choosing a Carolina rig rod, it’s time to check out some of our top picks:
1. Lew's Mach Carolina Jig Casting Rod – Overall Best
The Lew’s Mach Carolina Jig Casting Rod is a great option when it comes to choosing the best rod for your needs.
This model features an IM-12 graphite blank with Nanotechnology, making it lightweight and sensitive while providing superior strength and durability.
It also has stainless steel guides made from aluminum oxide inserts and Lew’s exclusive lightweight graphite skeletal reel seat.
The split-grip handles are made from Winn Dri-Tac advanced polymer, which provides a great grip and prevents slippage.
And finally, the patented “No Foul” hook keeper keeps your lure or bait in place when not in use. This rod is perfect for anyone looking for a great all-around option.
Pros:
- Lightweight and sensitive
- Stainless steel guides with aluminum oxide inserts
- Lew’s exclusive lightweight graphite skeletal reel seat
- Winn Dri-Tac split-grip handles
- Patented “No Foul” hook keeper
Cons:
- Some users reported that the hook keeper is not very durable.
Also read: Best Poppers for Bass: Buyer’s Guide (Top 10 Picks)
2. KastKing Fishing Cast Carolina Rig Rod – Best for Bass Fishing
KastKing designed this rod for the best applications; they wanted it to be perfect for Carolina Rigs fishing.
The reason is that they already have a top-notch lure retriever out there, but nothing they manufactured could maximize performance on Carolina rigs.
After countless hours of research, development, and testing, KastKing came up with the perfect rod for Carolina rigs.
This Rod is designed to give you great action along with great power for long, long casts.
You must have got a good balance between power and action because it keeps your lure in the strike zone longer at various conditions. This is another rod used by tournament anglers that have proven its worth.
The KastKing Fishing Cast Carolina Rig Rod is designed for anglers serious about their money, time, and success.
It’s very similar to the high-end rods used by pro anglers. But, if you want to take your game to the next level, this rod will do it for you.
Pros:
- Tournament quality Rod
- Highly sensitive blank
- Multiple action choices for great performance in various conditions
- Dark burnt finish
Cons:
- You’ll have to dish out a good amount of cash for this rod
3. TP1 Black Speed Stick – All Purpose Rod
The Black Speed Stick is the lightest rod in this review, weighing only 3.4 oz. I don’t think fishing with a lightweight rod is optimum in most Carolina rigs situations, but it can be beneficial for any situation where you are using finesse baits.
For example, I usually fish with a lightweight rod when fishing tube baits in clear water or drop shotting.
Top Features:
- Premium HM50 high modulus blank with Carbon Nano Tube construction
- Premium Winn Dry-Tac, advanced polymer palm swell grips
- Winn split-grip stainless steel guide frames and inserts 10 stainless steel HPC guides two tip-top guide sets for improved line flow and casting performance
- Jeff Kriet designed through-handle reel seat
- A short, ultralight handle accommodates tight spaces and allows for increased control when opening your bail and fighting fish.
Pros:
- One of the lightest rods in this review
- Comes with a tough rod tube that is not too heavy and has an extra pocket.
- Comfortable Winn Dry-Tac grips.
- Stainless steel guide frames and inserts.
- Short, fast taper with enough backbone to handle bass.
Cons:
- Poorly designed hook keeper—it is sharp on the edges and it doesn’t fit around most hooks well. You can adjust it slightly so that it can grip a hook, but it will shave a lot of the plastic off of your hook’s shank.
- Not durable enough for heavy flipping and pitching in cover.
4. The Drifter Series Fly Fishing Rod – Best Durable Rod
The Drifter Series Fly Rod by Moonshine Rod Company is perfect for someone who wants to keep it simple.
This rod can be used for over 40 different fishing methods, including Carolina rigs, Texas rigging, high sticking or flipping jigs under docks, or snags.
The features on these rods are durable aluminum-lined double-lock guides with SiC inserts to keep your line in place.
This rod also comes with an Aluminum-oxide stripper guide and a hard, high-quality cork grip for easy handling.
The Drifter Series Fly Rod is an extremely versatile rod that can be used in many situations.
It is very lightweight, which makes it perfect for long days on the water, and it can accommodate nearly any reel that you would like to use.
The Drifter Series Fly Rod is also a four-piece rod with an extra tip, which gives you even more versatility.
With these rods, you never have to worry about being without your fly rod because of a broken pole or damaged tip because it comes with two in case anything happens.
These rods are great for any fly fisher, from beginners to experts.
They work perfectly for people who want a simple rod that will get the job done or for someone looking for an all-purpose rod that they can use in many different situations.
Top Features:
- Extremely High-Quality
- Durable Aluminum Lined Guides
- Great All-Purpose Rod
- Extra Tip to Give You More Versatility
- Perfect for Beginners, Professionals & Everyone in Between
Pros:
- Extremely high-quality
- Durable aluminum lined guides
- Great all-purpose rod
- Extra tip to give you more versatility
- Perfect for beginners, professionals & everyone in between
Cons:
- Some people have said they are not very good for use when flying fishing in fast-moving currents or when heavyweight is needed.
5. AHI RSB Sabiki Stick Bait Catcher Rod – Best Sellers
This super-sensitive and informative Carolina rig rod delivers on many levels. The Ahi RSB Sabiki Stick Bait Catcher Rods have a lightweight feel, delivering a balanced and comfortable feeling while fighting fish.
The sensitivity is so acute that anglers can use an extremely light line, which is critical for the best feel. In addition, the long handle allows you to fish with a relaxed grip that doesn’t tire your arms out as fast as shorter handles.
The rod is also very durable, so you can fish it hard and not have to worry about wear and tear. The rod is a bit stiffer than most other Carolina rig rods, but it works well with the added sensitivity.
The great strength of this rod, along with its high-modulus graphite blanks, ensures anglers have an extremely sensitive and durable rod for those big fish days.
The Ahi RSB Sabiki Stick Bait Catcher Rods feature Ahi Pro guides and stainless steel hooded reel seats.
These rods are made in the United States and come with a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros:
- Supersensitive and information
- Rod is very durable
- Rod is great for beginners and experts alike
Cons:
- A little bit stiffer than other Carolina rig rods
6. EatMyTackle Sabiki Rig Bait Fishing Rod
The EatMyTackl Sabiki Rig Bait Fishing Rod is a brand new concept in rods and blanks designed to handle the demand of today’s angler.
This 7 ft long bait rod features a strong fiberglass base with plastic fittings that can break down into two pieces for easy storage and portability.
It also includes many other top-quality parts that are standard in our rods. With this Sabiki Rod, you can catch your bait without the headache of searching for them when it comes time to put some serious lines in the water.
This sabiki rod is used for catching baits. When their teeth get caught, they will be torn up by them easily, making them much easier to catch. The bait will then be easier to spot, increasing the chances that they will not escape.
Top Features:
- Compact, lightweight design is easy to carry
- Comes in 2 pieces for storage and portability
- Manufactured with high-quality components that ensure durability and longevity
- Includes an amazing Lifetime Warranty.
Pros:
- Can break down into two pieces for easy storage and portability.
- Comes with a lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Not as durable as some other competitors on the market.
Buying Guide: Choosing the best Carolina Rig Rod
When choosing the best Carolina Rig Rod, you should keep a few things in mind. First of all, you will want to consider whether or not this particular type of rod is right for your fishing needs.
There are many different styles available on the market today, and some may be more effective than others when it comes down to what type of fish you want to catch.
The second thing that you will want to think about when it comes to choosing the best Carolina Rig Rod is if this particular type of rod can withstand being used in saltwater conditions.
This is especially important for those going after larger types of fish because they tend to be more aggressive than their freshwater counterparts.
The price point is the third and final thing you will want to think about when making your decision.
Carolina Rig Rods can range in price from around $30 up to $200 or more, so you must find one that falls within your budget without sacrificing quality.
Now that you know what to look for let’s take a closer look at some of the best Carolina Rig Rods on the market today.
FAQs About Best Rod for Carolina Rig
What type of fishing is it used for?
The Carolina Rig is a popular technique for bass fishing but can be used to catch other types of fish.
What size weight should I use?
It depends on the depth and current of the body of water you are fishing in, but a good rule of thumb is to use a heavy weight enough to keep the lure on the bottom but not so heavy that it pulls the bait outreach of the fish.
What type of hook should I use?
A wide variety of hooks can be used with a Carolina rig, but a standard worm hook with a wide gap is usually best.
What size line should I use?
Most anglers prefer to use braided fishing lines with a leader of fluorocarbon or monofilament because they are more sensitive, but any fishing line can be used.
The most important thing is that it can hold the weight of the lure, sinker, and snap swivel.
What is a drop shot rig?
A drop shot rig is another fishing technique that uses a weighted soft plastic lure rigged with a bullet weight and snaps swivel above the hook.
The sinker rests on the bottom of the body of water while the bait hangs just off the bottom in front of the fish.
The main difference between a drop shot rig and a Carolina rig is that the sinker on a drop shot rig is usually attached to the line above the hook, while it is attached below the hook on a Carolina rig.
What size weight should I use?
A: It depends on the depth and current of the body of water you are fishing in, but a good rule of thumb is to use a weight that is heavy enough to keep the lure on the bottom but not so heavy that it pulls the bait out of reach of the fish.
Conclusion
The Carolina Rig and Drop Shot are two of the most popular fishing rigs for catching bass. The main difference is that a drop shot rig uses a sinker attached above the hook, while a Carolina rig uses one below it.
These fishing techniques have their pros and cons, but they both can be very effective when used properly.
If you have any questions about these or other fishing techniques, please post them in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
