What is a Carolina rig?
These methods have been catching on for some time and have even become popular.
Catching perch on a retractable leash is one of the most popular methods of catching passive perch. There are several different equipment, but the principle is the same for all. Let's look at everything in order.
For example, the Carolina rig was developed by athletes in the same state. There, with such a presentation of bait, they caught bass, or, if you prefer, largemouth black bass.
There is another example of a Carolina rig, only in a slightly different design, this is a Texas rig. The only difference is that in the Carolina there is a stopper on the line, which in turn slows down the sinker of the bullet; in the Texan this is not the case.
What connects these 2 interesting montages, the answer is simple: one fish that is found in our country, namely perch!
Carolina, when it appeared in Russia, was slightly changed, namely, it underwent restyling. This is expressed by the fact that instead of the typical syllable for this equipment, the familiar twisters and vibrating tails appeared.
Lead rigs: drop lead, Carolina, drop shot, Tyrolean stick (video)
What is a diverter leash?
Retractable leader for perch fishing
When fishing from the shore, a retractable leader is one of the most effective equipment for perch.
Even an inexperienced spinning angler can install a retractable leash on a perch. To do this, simply tie a weight to the end of the fishing line, and above it, at a distance of twenty or more centimeters, attach a leash with bait through a swivel or loop. Weight - from 15 to 30 g, bait - twister, worm or vibrotail about 5 cm long.
In addition to the retractable leash, other types of equipment are used for perch. According to the installation method, the closest thing to the outlet leash is the Drop shot rig, which the perch can take on each retrieve. For fishing in snags and weeds, Texas and Carolina rigs are also used.
Basic spinning equipment:
Retractable leash and other accessories
What to use to catch perch?
Catching perch on a retractable leash is quite popular with a silicone worm, twister and vibrotail. These are universal baits that do not require super animation, they play well and attract picky perch, and that’s all an angler needs.
Previously, when I caught perch on a microjig without using a retractable leader, the catches were much smaller. I learned about these 2 methods in some fishing magazine, in my opinion, “fish with us.”
Without thinking twice, I went, bought the missing parts for the equipment and went to a pond infested with perch. At first everything was not so great, I didn’t understand basic things, but then the first bite happened and I became more interested.
On each subsequent fishing trip I began to experiment. The experiments were reminiscent of the random method, the trial and error method. The point was that I wanted to understand what size twister or vibrotail the perch bites better with.
Until now, I still have not received an answer to my own question. The thing is that when I put a 2-inch bait, a perch of the appropriate size bites. A small perch is not able to swallow a 4-centimeter bait, but a medium-sized perch, on the contrary.
If I set the twister smaller, then a standard small perch was caught, but the large striper completely lost interest in the bait. And finally, I realized that the length, width and even weight of the bait plays a very important role when catching perch.
On the river it is worth fishing with 2 and 3 inch baits when it comes to microjig and ultralight. On a pond, 1-2 inches is the norm, since the perch there is much smaller.
Another aspect of this type of fishing that should not be overlooked is the color of the bait. In dark weather, bright, provocative colors from poisonous acid to bright red show themselves well. In sunny weather, on the contrary, you should take a lure of machine oil or something like that.
Popular fishing techniques
When using the technique of fishing with a retractable leash, you can use different types of wiring. There is no main one, because any technique can show good results if applied in the right situation.
Step wiring can be used. Only it should be smooth, not sharp. With even retrieving, the bait simply drags along the bottom of the reservoir. Quite often, a slow retrieve, when the angler pauses and pumps the rod tip, produces good results.
Pauses are very important for this type of fishing. When the movement stops, the bait begins to either float or sink. Even the most passive perch will pay attention to this and get caught.
The bite when fishing with a lead rig can occur in different ways. It may feel like a sharp jerk or a gentle tug. Sometimes it feels like the fish is nibbling or chewing on the bait. You can hook only when the perch swallows the bait.
With a sudden movement, the thin lips of the perch will tear. When fishing, you should also not forget about this, otherwise the prey may escape. Let the perch get a little tired, and only then pull it out of the water.
Small wobblers - you can and should try. Floating wobblers with a depth of 1-1.5 meters are best suited. Such a wobbler will be able to float up just during the pause, and during reeling it will be able to get closer to the bottom.
Carolina rig: catching perch with a retractable leash
The leash in the Texas or Carolina rig is not in last place, so under no circumstances should it be thrown into the background.
It is worth paying attention to the length of the leader and the thickness of the leader line used. In my case, this is, as always, the irreplaceable fluorocarbon. The diameter depends on the fish and the conditions of use. Usually 0.16-0.18 millimeters is enough when it comes to catching small perch up to 1 kilogram.
When you are faced with the task of catching a perch within 1 kg. and higher, then a diameter of 0.2-0.22 is quite appropriate. The main line should be braided in any case. The braid is resistant to abrasion, has no memory, is not stretchable, and most importantly, due to its small size, it has a high breaking load.
Over the years of spinning fishing, I have tried a bunch of different options and, probably for the last 3 years, I have been fishing exclusively with pontoon 21 . The 8-strand braid has a slippery coating; when it passes through the rod's rings, it does not cause an unpleasant sound.
But that's not all, not everything is as simple as it seems. Pay due attention to the diameter of the fence. For example, for an ultralight, the cord diameter starts from 0.05 to 0.1.
With a cord, the bite is felt quite well and therefore the hook is hard and whipping, as required when catching small and medium-sized perch.
I don’t see any point in increasing the diameter, since even a 2-kilogram humpback whale is not able to tear off a braided line with a diameter of 0.2 millimeters. The braid should be wound to the very edge of the spool edge, only in this case the casts will be as comfortable and far as possible.
When the perch is active, feeding from the surface, chasing fry around the water area, you can use large diameter lines, but as soon as the perch’s mood goes to zero, problems with fishing immediately begin.
In this case, it makes sense to change your mind and leave the braided line in favor of a monofilament or nanofilament. Of course, nanofil is better, it has identical similarities with both braided and mono fishing line.
Ultimately, it is up to the angler to decide what to use, but the use of monofilament can only be avoided by using extremely thin braid, with a diameter of 0.04 millimeters.
Such cords are very expensive, their price fluctuates around 2000, and sometimes reaches 3000, well, how can you not sacrifice money for the sake of your favorite hobby: fishing!
Carolina Tooling: Making (HD Video)
Necessary gear for fishing for perch using the retractable leash method
Since this fishing method is a jig method, you cannot do without a special spinning rod, the design of which includes the following elements:
Jig rod
On average, the length is taken from 2.4 to 2.7 meters (a rod with a longer length is more appropriate when fishing from the shore, and a rod with a shorter length is more appropriate when fishing from a boat). When choosing a test, it is recommended to focus on a number from 10 to 25 or up to 35 (it is within these weight limits that weights are used with this method). Perch should be caught at a depth of about 1.5 - 4.5 m. If you are also interested in pike perch, which also lives here, use a heavier sinker. In this case, the test up to 35 is perfect. Choose a rod that is stiffer (that is, with a fast action). A very flexible rod will not work as it has a less sensitive upper part of the whip. You can take a medium tuning, but fast is still better.
Coil
An important element of inertia-free fishing when fishing with a retractable leash is the rear or front friction brake, without which the line risks breaking. The capacity of the spool is from 1 to 2 hundred meters of fishing line with a diameter of 0.14. That is, a size of 2-2.5 thousand will fit perfectly. Although spinning reels are not of high quality, it is still not recommended to buy Chinese products. Practice shows that they are less durable.
fishing line
It is better to give preference to a braided cord, since monofilament thread tends to stretch when tensioned. Indeed, in jig fishing it is important to control where the bait is at one time or another, as well as the exact contact of the sinker with the bottom and greater sensitivity with a barely noticeable bite. The thickness of the braid is 0.12 - 0.16 (it can handle a medium-sized perch). If you are a beginner, take regular nylon monofilament with you. She is, of course, less sensitive, but also less confused. Although, if you take a high-quality braided fishing line and practice a little, you should succeed.
Leash
This element is required. As a leader option, a fluorocarbon fishing line with a thickness of about 0.2 - 0.3 is ideal. This material is good because it is practically invisible in water. But it also has a significant drawback - it is not able to withstand loads. For this reason, material is taken from a larger diameter.
Which rod to choose for perch fishing?
Spinning rods and reels are my favorite topic, we can talk about this forever, but at the moment we are interested in the stick and meat grinder for perch.
As for the stick, I’ll say right away that snotty options won’t help here; we need a rod with a super fast action, namely ExtraFast . Only extra fast is able to show a clear bite from a perch.
For those who don’t know: action is the speed at which the tip returns to its original position after a swing, or even simpler, the angle of bending of the tip under load.
Determining the tuning is very simple, this is done by placing the top to the floor and determining the required bend, or by shaking it thoroughly, as is convenient for you.
When choosing an ultralight for perch, you also need to decide on the test range and length. It is better to choose a test in the range from 2 to 11 grams or 10. Do not exceed the weight of the bait, otherwise breakdown or other troubles may inevitably follow.
When it comes to catching perch with jigs, the length of the spinning rod should start from 2.30 and go up to 2.40-2.50. With a long stick, the tackle is better controlled and the retrieve is softer. Moreover, a long rod with a fast action ties fish well, and this is the most necessary thing when fishing.
Necessary gear
As a novice fisherman, there is no need to chase professional gear. This does not affect the number of fish caught. Any available spinning rod will do: 1.8-2.1, 2.4 or more. Fast/medium fast tuning is desirable, optimal, but not required. The rod will allow you to make long casts and feel the bait while retrieving, which will affect timely hooking.
If you want to purchase a separate form for this fishing method, take a length of 2.1 m with a medium action - a universal length. Test depending on the baits used. You can start with light options 3-15 g, or 5-20 g. Versatility is one of the main advantages, allowing you to use one spinning rod for different types of fishing.
The reel is set to a spinning reel, size 3000. It is advisable not to use a smaller size, due to the small winding of the fishing line. A larger size is possible, but the weight of the reel will increase; this is not feeder fishing.
Monofilament is a simple and cheap material, high-quality packaging is inexpensive. Diameter 0.16 will fit perfectly. When using a cord, use a smaller diameter, but for specific perch fishing, the cord is not entirely justified. Firstly, in rare bodies of water it reaches a kilogram or more. Secondly, the cost of a good cord starts from 700 rubles; it is not advisable to spend this amount on a fish weighing 500 grams, at best.
Feel free to use a fluorocarbon diverter leash. The material is durable, proven, invisible in water. Professionals advise setting the diameter to at least 0.4 mm. For correct installation of a diverter leash, please follow the link, or study the material below on this page.
Which reel to choose for perch fishing?
The reel requires even higher requirements. In addition to the absence of backlash, the release of loops and a good clutch, it should have a higher gear ratio, for example, 6:2:1, plus smooth running and smooth winding.
daiwa and shimano reels . Both companies produce very elegant models that have long been loved by ultralight lovers. The Luvias , Frames is especially good , this is from Daiwa, and Nazca with Ultegra from Shimano. I have both, but I use these reels on different spinning rods.
The reel must be a single whole with the spinning rod, an incredible balance is required, only then the spinning rod + braid and the reel of the right size will be the embodiment of absolute balance. Fishing with balanced light tackle is not only convenient, but also tactful and visually pleasing.
Choosing a rod for microjig fishing
When it comes to microjigging and other methods of catching perch using soft plastic baits, you should choose a rod with a glued tip. Pasting gives us a lot of possibilities, just a huge range.
Firstly, the insert is a kind of bite alarm, or like a nod on a winter fishing rod. Many people use a homemade jig nod for spinning;
Secondly, with the insert, the most accurate bites can be easily tracked. It’s easy to determine that a rod has a glued rod. Usually the insert is a different color from the main form. Usually it is white, less often red.
I chose the well-known finese from graphite leader. The wand is quite expensive, but it justifies its price many times over. So make your choice. Of course, spinning rods with hollow tips are not so bad, but glue-in rods are still better.
What does the tackle consist of?
Rod
When choosing a fishing rod for this type of fishing, you need to take into account some features.
The rod should be long. A short leash with bait is rarely used on a spinning rod. As a rule, its length is at least a meter, because a short spinning rod is not easy to cast, especially from the shore. If you fish with a spinning rod from a boat, its length should be no more than 240 cm, from the shore - 240-300 cm. The longer the spinning rod, the easier it will be to cast long distances and find a trophy specimen of striped fish, and it is also possible to catch and another desirable fish from the perch family, Pike perch.
There is no need to purchase a “very fast” (Extra-Fast) spinning rod. It is overpriced due to the material it is made of. When creating it, high-modulus carbon is used. It is difficult to throw such a system far, so it reduces the number of possible wiring options. A fast or medium-fast action rod will be the most optimal.
Coil
This is an essential component of any spinning rod. There are no special requirements for it. The main thing is that it rotates smoothly, without jerking. The cord should be laid evenly without getting tangled. These two characteristics are quite enough for successful fishing. When choosing a reel size, pay attention to the weight of the weights. If the load does not exceed 20 grams, the reel must be at least 2000 in size; if the load weighs more, then purchase a reel with a size of 2500 or more according to the Daiwa classification.
Fishing line (cord)
Almost all modern fishermen opt for braided cord. It is used as the main fishing line. The cord is very durable and has significant sensitivity with a small diameter. For spinning fishing, this is one of the most suitable fishing line options. To catch a perch, even a fairly large one, you don’t need a strong cord, so a breaking load of 3-5 kg will be enough.
Leash
This fishing method requires two types of leashes: with a weight and with a hook. Monofilament fishing line is suitable for a cargo leash. When choosing its strength and thickness, make sure that the main cord remains intact if the bait gets caught on something.
For a leash with a hook, it is better to choose a fluorocarbon line. It is characterized by low stretchability, which increases the likelihood of a bite. And also his
almost invisible in the water.
The length of the leashes in both cases depends entirely on the fishing conditions. If it is necessary for the bait to pass unhindered over the surface of the bottom and grass, then the length of the leash is calculated in such a way that this wiring can be carried out. If the bottom of the reservoir is clean, without vegetation, then the length of the leash with a sinker should be at least twenty centimeters. The leash with bait has a minimum length of 80 cm, the average length is 100-120 cm, but if the bite is weak, it can be increased to 150 cm.
Sinker
For the method of fishing with a retractable leash, any shape of sinker is suitable, and it will not affect the bite in any way. It all depends on the habits and preferences of the fisherman. The most common and popular sinker has the shape of a stick. This choice is justified by the fact that such a load passes through obstacles more easily and allows for a longer cast. Pear-shaped sinkers are also often chosen.
If you plan to fish in places where there are a lot of bushes and opportunities to get caught, use “banana” shaped sinkers. And if they can’t get through the obstacles, Tyrolean sticks would be an ideal option.
When choosing the weight of the load, you need to take into account the speed of the current and the depth at the fishing spot. When fishing with a lead rig, the sinker should be at the very bottom, only rising slightly as the line moves.
Interesting fact. In some cases, you can increase your catch by doing the exact opposite. For example, lighten the load as much as possible so that it floats above the bottom rather than sliding along it. In this case, the catch often exceeds all expectations.
Hooks
The hook size should be selected in accordance with the size of the silicone bait. And its size varies depending on the expected weight of the fish.
Perch goes well on small-sized bait, so to catch it, use a 2-3-inch bait. According to this, the hook will fit No. 2-4. If you are going to catch a small predator, then you need a No. 8 hook and a bait of 1-1.5 inches. Although they are also suitable for large perch, when its activity is as low as possible.
Regular float hooks will also work. However, in places where there is a lot of vegetation, it is better to use offset hooks. You just need to hide their sting inside the bait.
Swivels
This is a mandatory element, without which fishing with a retractable leash becomes impossible. Swivels can be simple or triple. To make it easier to change the sinker, you can attach a fastener to the end of the weight leash.
Which rubber does perch bite better on?
I decided on rubber a long time ago, making the final choice in favor of edible ones. Edible rubber has many advantages, but the most important, in my opinion, is the ability to make precise hooking.
Edible fish gives us more time to hook than regular soft plastic. Throughout the entire wiring, rubber impregnated with an attractant emits a tasty smell for perch.
Both twisters and vibrotails can be edible. In my observation, vibrating tails work much better than classic twisters.
But recently I discovered crayfish! Cancer has many tentacles and claws that play even with the most minimal manipulations. The perch really likes this and attacks the object without thinking about its fate.
Of course, I release all the fish because I have a purely sporting interest in fishing. It’s up to you to decide what size twister or vibrating tail to use; I talked about this earlier.
Hook selection
The choice of offset printer directly depends on the size of the tire. I prefer ovner ones, they are very sharp and cut through fish well.
If we use a twister, then it is better to choose a hook with a long shank; if it is a vibrating tail, then a semicircular shank will be the most optimal. The offset operator helps us avoid unwanted snags.
When there are practically no snags in the fishing area, you can simply put rubber on the hook without using offset installation. The point of the hook will be on the outside, this will make it easier to cut through the fish’s lip and naturally get the trophy.
As for the sharpness of the hooks, it is worth replacing it throughout the entire fishing trip, since after a dozen bites, the hook inevitably becomes dull, and a dull hook leads to numerous hooks and reduces the likelihood of hooking.
By the way, the best hooks are made of thin wire. Thick wire is very strong, but the serif can be a problem.
What is the best sinker for the Carolina rig?
Bullet
The bullet sinker is used in both Texas and Carolina rigs.
The essence of the bullet is that it allows you to make the longest casts, plus the sinker has high maneuverability. This allows it to be used in strong thickets, where large perches are actually found. You can buy such a sinker at any fishing store.
The bullet is good not only for catching perch, but also for catching pike, pike perch and bass.
Thanks to the streamlined body shape and shifted center of gravity, the bullet overcomes powerful air currents. Even against the wind, casting with a bullet is accurate and long-range.
Due to the fact that the bullet moves freely along the main line. The bait drags behind the bullet on a leash, rising from the bottom, this has a very good effect on the inhibited predator.
Drop shot
A drop shot sinker is used for exactly the same installation. The idea is that the sinker is at the bottom, and the vibrating tail or twister is on the side of the working line on a retractable leash.
The game on the drop shot turns out to be very beautiful and attractive, which does not make you wait long for a bite. The perch reacts to the drop shot at the lowest bite. That’s why I often call the drop shot a passive rig due to its application and low-bite performance.
The classic drop shot sinker has a swivel to which the main fishing line is hooked. I use a removable drop shot mount. That is, I attach a carabiner to the main line, and then attach a sinker to it.
If necessary, I simply increase the weight of the lead and that’s it, it turns out much faster and more convenient.
Tyrolean stick: catching perch with a retractable leash
The Tyrolean stick is used in places with a lot of snags, since the stick has high permeability, it becomes an indispensable companion for the fisherman on perch fishing.
The stick casts well and, like all loads, has its advantages. The Tyrolean stick came to us in Russia from street fishing, namely from fishing in rocks.
So on the Black Sea, the Tyrolean stick is almost the main rig when fishing for croaker and scorpionfish. Sports fishermen, having first seen this method, could not give it popularity for a long time. But then it quickly acclimatized and began to bear fruit.
This is fishing for gourmets. It requires persistence and precision, because fishing is carried out in a dense accumulation of snags. Lately, more and more types of sinkers are appearing in stores, but here are examples of the best, in my opinion, but it’s still up to you to decide!
Long
I won’t talk much about this sinker, I’ll just say that the long one is indispensable when fishing at extremely long distances. When fishing on the Don or Volga, long casting is very important and this can only be achieved with the use of a special load.
You can buy all the weights listed in a regular fishing store; you just need to decide on the weight and the main thing is that the weight fits into the upper test of your rod.
Diversion for perch. Basic installation methods
Attaching a leash with and without a regular swivel
Attaching a retractable leash when fishing for perch is slightly different from fastenings when fishing for other predators:
- the most common one is to attach it to a loop on the main line, but this installation has a significant flaw - the equipment constantly gets tangled, and if it gets caught, you can also lose the weight;
- through a triple swivel, thanks to which each component of the equipment can be tied to a separate eye;
- through the swivel into the loop on the main line;
- using a sliding leash.
The swivel and hook can be tied to the fishing line using one of the fishing knots, usually Clinch or Palomar. There are no strictly defined rules for installing a diverter leash. Each fisherman can make his own modifications and improvements to the equipment.
Simple and complex installation of a diverter leash:
How to attach a retractable leash with bait?
As you can see in the picture, these identical installations use different options for attaching the outlet leash.
The most important thing in this scheme will be the swivel; it plays the role of an anti-twist. The tackle will become less tangled and sensitivity will increase, and sensitivity is the most important thing you need when fishing for perch.
As I said earlier, the equipment contains many complementary components, such as a swivel and a carabiner. The good old knot method has long gone into the background due to the inefficiency and fragility of the entire connection as a whole.
My favorite setup is the one that includes 3 swivels, there is something similar in the picture. The point is that the leash is in a sliding state, this way we avoid tangling the gear, and it is very easy to change the twister or vibrating tail.
The most important thing is to find the correct length of the leash, because it should be away from the main line. This will happen when we catch perch on the river, because there is a current there, and it is this that will pull the bait to the side.
When fishing is carried out on a reservoir without the presence of a current, there is no possibility of moving a twister or vibrotail with the current, so you have to make a shorter leash instead of 30 centimeters, you need to make 10-15 or, less often, 20 centimeters.
I hope my article: “Catching perch with a retractable leash” will help beginners, and that experienced fishermen can also find useful information here. I think that you will not encounter such difficulties as I did when mastering fishing with silicone baits.
How to catch depending on the season
Perch is caught on a diverting leash throughout the year, the only difference is in the habitat of the fish. In spring these are medium depths with an uneven bottom. At this time, the fish are leaving winter, nailed to the bottom and, as the fishermen say, “have not yet woken up.”
The best time for trophy specimens is summer, especially for small and large rivers. In June, the outlet equipment shows excellent results, bringing decent catches. Preferred depths are from 2-5 meters, where schools of fish can stand.
If you know places with shell rock, then it’s worth fishing for them; in the summer, perch often stop there. Until August, you can adhere to the above recommendations, until the weather gets colder.
In September, fish begin to migrate to the dumps, further into the depths; potential places at this moment are:
- Rifles
- Entrances and exits from pits
- Edges and slopes
- Rare snags
A retractable leash is especially justified in difficult-to-reach places where medium- and large-sized perches (humpback whales) live. There are almost no equals in cross-country ability and lack of snags (not counting unloaded tires).
When fishing in the current, it is enough to use a stick sinker weighing 5 grams; exactly the same equipment can be used in still water, there is no difference. A novice reader is probably wondering: what is the best weight to use when installing a diverter leash? The answer is a stick-shaped weight. This is the most streamlined and most reliable weight of all; it passes very serious obstacles without getting stuck, carrying the bait along with it.
It is possible to use cargo of absolutely any shape or weight. The only difference will be in the casting range and the quality of passing obstacles at the bottom. But if you want to have the right tackle, we recommend using only a stick weight.
