Fishing with Hank Parker: Summertime Carolina Rigging

We're entering a season when fishing can be a little confusing. Bass are moving from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts. So, do you continue to fish shallow, where there are always a few fish, or do you go deep?

That decision depends largely on lake conditions and your location. Bass north of the Mason-Dixon Line can still be spawning in May, and in the colder Great Lakes region, they may even be in the prespawn mode. In the South, most bass have already spawned.

In either case, most of the country's lakes will fall into postspawn and summer patterns soon.

When bass finish spawning, they may hang around the shallows for a short time before migrating to points that taper into deep water. They school on those points and become susceptible to a deep-running crankbait that bangs along the structure. If the fish are aggressive, you can load the boat. However, don't consider crankbaits as your only option because the fish may be deeper than your crank can dive.

A Carolina rig is a great choice for searching for bass relating to the deep structure that many anglers ignore during this transitional period.

For years we've assumed that bass move deeper as the water gets warmer, but I've found that I catch more bass in 30- to 40-feet of water during the month of June than I do all summer. The reason is that the thermocline is deeper in June than in July and August. Bass and bait won't drop below the thermocline, which tends to rise as summer progresses.

The Carolina rig allows you to comb an area where fish may be scattered, and because you can fish it almost as fast as a crankbait, you cover more water than you can with Texas-rigged soft plastics.

I prefer a 7-inch Mann's lizard because of its bulkiness and buoyancy. I have experienced times when fishing was tough, especially in clear water, and a finesse worm worked better. But the lizard is a good, all-round choice.

Leader length may be a more critical element. I start with a 3-foot length, but if I get a bite immediately, I will shorten it because that means the fish are closer to the bottom. I'll also opt for a shorter leader if the water is muddy because the heavy sinker dragging on the bottom will help draw attention to the bait. On the other hand, if my electronics show the fish suspended off the bottom, I'll try a longer leader.

BASSIN' Magazine May-June 2001