Why Carolina-Rig the St. Johns? Current

(Bassmaster.com photo)

In the course of gathering patterns for places 1-10 for the first two Elite Series events, on the St. Johns River and Okeechobee, we talked to pro Terry Scroggins. One question we asked was a general one: Why do Carolina rigs show up so much in pattern info for the St. Johns?

We asked the question because C-rigs are seldom used by top pros these days, and because it wouldn’t seem like the St. Johns is different enough water to use this technique.

Scroggins’ answer was, in a word, current.

He noted that a C-rig is “effective anywhere you go in the country, but typically catches smaller fish – it’s a great way to generate bites.” While he did use it to fill out main-river limits on his way to a 6th at the St. Johns (1-oz sinker, 4′ leader, Yum Houdini worm in green pumpkin), he said it’s so effective on the St. Johns because that heavy sinker keeps the bait in place. “Otherwise the current washes the bait through there so fast you can’t fish it.”

So there you go.

Category: BASS, Elite Series, Fishing Tips/Techniques, FL, Pattern Details