Neko Rig

[Fishin' Fool]

I've heard of this technique but just really starting to delve into it. I'm a fast learner what do I need to know about it? What type of hook is preferred? Like a drop shot hook? Thanks for getting me up to speed.

FF

[IndianaFinesse]

What is a neko rig?

[Raul]

Old farts like me called that: "tail weight rig"

[Fishin' Fool]

9 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

What is a neko rig?

How does IndianaFinesse not know about a Neko rig? That seems like an oxymoron

[eyedabassman]

Great rig on bed fish!

[Fishin' Fool]

4 minutes ago, Raul said:

 

Do you use nails or the screw in heads like he suggests? I kinda like the screw in heads just wondering about what size heads. Light as possible or get it on the bottom fast? I'm mainly trying to decide between 1/8 and 1/4.

[Raul]

2 minutes ago, eyedabassman said:

Great rig on bed fish!

Goddang ! can´t you just let these fellers find out for themselves ? geez, talk about giving it away chewed and in the mouth like lil birds .... 

Now that I come and think about it .... I posted the video .... duh !

[IndianaFinesse]

3 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

How does IndianaFinesse not know about a Neko rig? That seems like an oxymoron

I almost only fish the Ned rig or the kahara micro jig (as far as finesse style baits), and just change the baits I use on the Ned to match the conditions.  The action on the neko rig looks amazing from the video, so I might just have to try it out though.  It also looks like it would be killer for spawning bass as eyedabassman mentioned.

[Raul]

4 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Do you use nails or the screw in heads like he suggests? I kinda like the screw in heads just wondering about what size heads. Light as possible or get it on the bottom fast? I'm mainly trying to decide between 1/8 and 1/4.

There are a lot of things you can use as weight, I use anywhere from nails all the way up to jigheads, how light or how heavy depend upon a lot of variables, if it´s windy/wavy I may even use a 1/2 oz jighead, if there´s too much vegetation I may go really light. Since I pour my own jigheads I pour only the weight without the hook, that way it has a bait keeper and the round head to sit on the bottom. You got to experiment to find the right combination.

[eyedabassman]

6 minutes ago, Raul said:

Goddang ! can´t you just let these fellers find out for themselves ? geez, talk about giving it away chewed and in the mouth like lil birds .... 

Now that I come and think about it .... I posted the video .... duh !

Put your foot in your mouth??? Someone has to lead this bunch so it might as well be you!

[Raul]

3 minutes ago, eyedabassman said:

Put your foot in your mouth??? Someone has to lead this bunch so it might as well be you!

Yeah, figured out the video thing just a little bit too late.

I just love Neko rigging, my personal favorite bait is not a worm ----> a craw ! Rage craws & Zoom Ultravibes rigged that way are just ..... DEADLY.

[Fishin' Fool]

17 minutes ago, Raul said:

Yeah, figured out the video thing just a little bit too late.

I just love Neko rigging, my personal favorite bait is not a worm ----> a craw ! Rage craws & Zoom Ultravibes rigged that way are just ..... DEADLY.

So I suppose you could do it for beaver baits too then?

I'm still not sure on the hooks from the video but I ordered some VMC Ike weedless wacky hooks in size 1/0 and 2/0. Will this work okay?

[IgotWood]

This is interesting. I prefer to use o-rings on my wacky rigs. Can you still get the right action on the Neko rig if an o-ring is used? 

[Fishin' Fool]

53 minutes ago, IgotWood said:

This is interesting. I prefer to use o-rings on my wacky rigs. Can you still get the right action on the Neko rig if an o-ring is used? 

From what I've read about it yes. Have I tried it? No.

[Raul]

5 hours ago, Fishin' Fool said:

So I suppose you could do it for beaver baits too then?

I'm still not sure on the hooks from the video but I ordered some VMC Ike weedless wacky hooks in size 1/0 and 2/0. Will this work okay?

Craws have long tails, beavers don´t have tail, it might work for beavers ? probably 

3 hours ago, IgotWood said:

This is interesting. I prefer to use o-rings on my wacky rigs. Can you still get the right action on the Neko rig if an o-ring is used? 

Yes, actually in Japan they sell a very interesting gadget called Neko rig Master:

You screw it to your bait and slide your hook through a hole:

[lakeannaangler]

Fishing the Midwest has a good neko rig video that you should watch 

[Airman4754]

I Neko fish a ton for Spots. I fish between 4 and 8" baits. For hooks I use Gammy wide gap finesse weedless hooks, and I would strongly recommend the weedless and this technique is killer on the edge of weed lines. Size 1 for 4" and 1/0 for everything else. 

I use sheet metal screws for weight. 6 x 5/8 for 4", 8 x 5/8 and 8 x 3/4 for the bigger ones depending on depth. This bait for me is so much easier to fish on the drop because the they hammer it. 

Rod is whatever you want but I fish it on a 7'6" M/F Phenix UMBX setup. I fish it just like a drop shot but I will floss it about every five feet. 

It's a good rig for LMB, not great for smallies, and the most productive Spot rig you will ever fish. 

[Oklahoma Mike]

Good info! I have never fished the Neko Rig but it looks awesome and I'm gonna give it a try. Thanks to all above for the valuable info - this kind of thing is why I started coming to this forum!

[Fishin' Fool]

2 hours ago, Mosster47 said:

I Neko fish a ton for Spots. I fish between 4 and 8" baits. For hooks I use Gammy wide gap finesse weedless hooks, and I would strongly recommend the weedless and this technique is killer on the edge of weed lines. Size 1 for 4" and 1/0 for everything else. 

I use sheet metal screws for weight. 6 x 5/8 for 4", 8 x 5/8 and 8 x 3/4 for the bigger ones depending on depth. This bait for me is so much easier to fish on the drop because the they hammer it. 

Rod is whatever you want but I fish it on a 7'6" M/F Phenix UMBX setup. I fish it just like a drop shot but I will floss it about every five feet. 

It's a good rig for LMB, not great for smallies, and the most productive Spot rig you will ever fish. 

Just curious as to why you are saying it wouldn't be good for smallies? It seems like it would work to me.

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

Just curious as to why you are saying it wouldn't be good for smallies? It seems like it would work to me.

I have no idea...Neko rigged worms and craw-bug type bait (man, did I just say that on the internet) are awesome for prespawn smallies.  Especially when they move into that 5-10' range, where it takes forever for a senko to fall, but you don't really need a drop shot, though that works too.

[eyedabassman]

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

I have no idea...Neko rigged worms and craw-bug type bait (man, did I just say that on the internet) are awesome for prespawn smallies.  Especially when they move into that 5-10' range, where it takes forever for a senko to fall, but you don't really need a drop shot, though that works too.

Yep I agree! what wouldn't a smallies hit this rig. I have the big 3 on the Neko!

[avidone1]

after looking at the video it seems like a floating worm on a t-rig would do the same thing without having to fuss with making a fiber weed guard.  Yes, there are probably some subtle differences, but sometimes I think we give the bass too much credit. 

I still say the hardest part about bass fishing is finding the fish.   Once that's done and given relatively typical weather for the season, I think good ole standard presentations appropriate for the conditions will work just fine.

[Montanaro]

Huge difference between neko rig and trigged finesse worm.

Neko acts like a shaky head and will fall straight down.  It can be worked in place and utilizes a much easier hookset as the hook is exposed.  Also less likely to hang up in rocks than t-rig.  Not to mention that you can neko rig any soft plastic not just a floating worm.

[Raul]

3 hours ago, Montanaro said:

Huge difference between neko rig and trigged finesse worm.

Neko acts like a shaky head and will fall straight down.  It can be worked in place and utilizes a much easier hookset as the hook is exposed.  Also less likely to hang up in rocks than t-rig.  Not to mention that you can neko rig any soft plastic not just a floating worm.

You can also shakeyhead any soft plastic. 

[scaleface]

Never done it but it looks cool . I'm thinking I would use a nail or a cheap crappie jig . I think you could rig a crappie jig and just clip the hook where it leaves the bait .