Carolina Bottom Rig (Fish Finder)
The ultimate bottom-hugging presentation that allows fish to pick up your bait without feeling the resistance of your heavy sinker.
Knot
Palomar Knot
Target Depth
5-60 ft
Target Species
Where To Use It
How To Tie / Assemble
- 1Slide an egg sinker onto your main line.
- 2Thread a plastic bead onto the main line to protect the knot from the sinker.
- 3Tie the main line to one end of a barrel swivel using a Palomar knot.
- 4Tie a 18 to 36-inch fluorocarbon leader to the other end of the swivel.
- 5Attach your preferred hook to the end of the leader using a Trilene or improved clinch knot.
- 6Thread your soft plastic bait onto the hook in a weedless Texas-rig style or hook your live bait through the lips.
Recommended Baits
Live Nightcrawlers
Highly effective for catfish and bass; the natural movement off the bottom is irresistible when drifting.
6-inch Lizard Soft Plastic
A classic for Largemouth Bass; the Carolina rig allows it to slowly float and hover near the bottom.
Cut Mullet
Best for Redfish and Striped Bass in tidal areas, providing a strong scent trail that pulls fish in from a distance.
Creature Baits
Ideal for targeting Smallmouth Bass around rocky structure where the rig's sliding weight keeps the bait in the strike zone.
Floating Fluke
Use this when targeting lethargic predators; the buoyancy causes the bait to sit tail-up off the bottom, mimicking an injured baitfish.
How To Use It
Cast the rig out and allow the sinker to make firm contact with the bottom. Use a slow, dragging retrieve, pausing frequently to let the bait drift naturally on the leader. When a fish bites, allow it a few seconds to 'run' with the bait before reeling down to set the hook, as the fish can move freely with the lure without feeling the sinker.
Why the Palomar Knot
Gear & Setup
Best Conditions
Species You'll Catch On This Rig
Largemouth Bass
The ultimate American freshwater predator, the Largemouth Bass is the king of shallow-water structure and aggressive strikes.
Channel Catfish
The ultimate opportunistic scavenger, the Channel Catfish offers anglers of all skill levels a powerful fight and a delicious reward.
Redfish
The bronze battler of the shallows, prized by anglers for its raw pulling power and stubborn tail-standing fight.
Smallmouth Bass
The pound-for-pound king of North American freshwater, renowned for explosive aerial leaps and dogged, drag-screaming fights.
Striped Bass
The apex predator of the Atlantic coast and major inland reservoirs, known for punishing strikes and blistering drag-testing runs.
Flathead Catfish
The apex predator of the river bottom, capable of reaching massive sizes and punishing even the heaviest tackle.
Blue Catfish
The apex predator of the river system, known for its massive girth and unrelenting, bulldog fighting style.
Catch more these fish — free
Create a free account and unlock the full angling toolkit: