Some innovators have replaced the glass bead and sinker with a jig, which keeps the trailing bait near the bottom, while offering fish an additional target. For suspended bass, try Carolina-rigging a buoyant lure or floating tube bait with Styrofoam packing material inserted into the tube.

Another Carolina-rig trick is to fish two baits behind the sinker. Instead of a barrel swivel, use a three-way swivel with two leaders, one longer than the other. Of course, check local regulations for these options are illegal in some states and provinces.

Mojo Rig

The Mojo Rig is an excellent substitute for the Carolina Rig in areas when light line and more subtle presentations are called for. The terminal tackle—glass bead, sinker and barrel swivel—of the Carolina Rig is replaced with a single slip-shot sinker, anchored to the line by a rubber band. The slip-shot sinker can be replaced by a small bullet-shaped worm weight pegged in place.

Split Shot Rig

In ultraclear water or when a slow-falling bait is required, some anglers favor a split-shot rig. Instead of pegging a slip-shot sinker onto the line, crimp a split shot in a weight to match lure size and desired rate of fall. For this or any finesse presentation, a thin wire hook gives small baits more action, avoids tearing the plastic, and hooks bass on light line in deep water.

Leadhead Jig Rig

Leadhead jigs are standard for fishing worms, grubs, and tube baits. This rig can be used for shaking and swimming a plastic bait through suspended fish, or when bass hold in vertical cover. The head design of the jig determines the type of fall and action of the plastic bait. For example, the flat head of Charlie Brewer’s Slider Jig causes baits to slide or glide as they fall, while Gopher’s mushroom head gives a straight drop, and a darter head enables a twitching action.

To rig the bait straight, first lay the jig on the plastic worm or grub and mark the point where the shank of the hook turns upward. Next, insert the hook point into the center of the plastic bait and push it through at the spot you marked. Finally, turn the point up and out of the bait.

Weighted Hooks

For finessing a shallow bite, weighted hooks are available from Eagle Claw, Mustad, Mister Twister, and Blue Fox. Lead is molded on the shank of the hook or on a separate spur that’s inserted into the nose of the bait. The positioning of the weight determines the action and fall of the bait. The closer to the bend, the more horizontal and slower the fall, but tail action is reduced.

Down Shot Rig

The Down Shot or Drop Shot Rig is the latest finesse presentation to hit the West Coast, and insiders credit Japanese bass anglers with its development. This novel system, also called Suspend Doodle Rigging and upside-down Carolina rigging, places a pegged glass bead and worm weight, Mojo sinker, split shot, or bell sinker at the end of the line, with the bait above. When tying a 1/0 or #1 hook onto the line (a Palomar knot works well) leave an extralong tag end—2 to 5 feet. Attach the weight at the end of the tag line.

With the rig fished vertically or near vertically below the boat, shake the rod tip softly. The pegged glass bead and sliding brass weight, bouncing off the bottom, produces a sound while the plastic bait, suspended off the bottom, displays a lifelike back-and-forth motion.