It’s turning into the dog days of summer, and in this video, Wired2fish’s Kyle Peterson shows how he targets largemouth bass using the Carolina rig. With water temperatures pushing 70°F and beyond, bass often move to deeper, rockier areas, making them a prime target for this rig setup.
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Finding the Right Spot
Peterson starts by graphing the area, scanning the water for hard spots with his side imaging. He looks for rock transitions where the bass are likely to be, marking these areas with waypoints for easy reference. With water depths ranging from 20 to 30 feet, he positions the boat to minimize disturbance while still getting a good read on the area.
The Carolina Rig in Action
Peterson begins working the Carolina rig with a slow, steady retrieve. The bait has a lot of natural action, with its appendages moving even with the slightest twitch. Peterson lets the rig crawl along the bottom, making sure it stays in the strike zone long enough for fish to see it. By keeping the presentation slow and steady, he increases the chances of getting a bite, all while maintaining great sensitivity to feel the fish pick up the bait.
Why Rocky Areas are Great for Summer Bass
In the summer months, bass tend to gather around rocky spots in deeper water, and Peterson explains how the Carolina rig works perfectly in these areas. The rocks offer a cooling effect and a great environment for crayfish, making it the ideal spot for bass to feed. The slow retrieve and subtle action of the Carolina rig is exactly what these bass are looking for.
Boat Setup
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