Is the Neko right for this?

[BigAngus752]

I love the action of a shaky head (especially the stand-up) with a worm or a Ned rig with a ZinkerZ on it.  The "head down/tail up" thing is just killer for the bass around here.  What I'm struggling with is the lakes that I fish the most are all man-made and the majority is covered with either standing timber or fallen timber/brush at all depths.  Rarely do I run across sand or gravel and the only rock is where they've put in riprap.  I have much difficulty with hanging up Ned rigs and even Tex-posed shaky heads. 

 

Is the Neko the answer to this?  I bought some "weedless" Owner Neko hooks but didn't get a chance to try them before the hard water.  Watching Neko videos it seems like the Neko would come through brush better even with the exposed hook since the hook is coming up sideways with the weighted end of the worm pulling it that way.  Does anyone fish them in wood?  Am I on the right track or do you have other suggestions?  

[LCG]

I think a neko would work better than a ned or shakey head. But I would try Texas rigging a worm or even a TRD with a small size 1or 1/0 ewg with a small 1/16oz weight. Similar effect and won't get hung up as much. I would probably peg the weight though. The unsalted trick worms will also float and give that tail up action. I usually use a 4/0 round bend worm hook for those. 

[BigAngus752]

1 minute ago, LCG said:

I think a neko would work better than a ned or shakey head. But I would try Texas rigging a worm or even a TRD with a small size 1or 1/0 ewg with a small 1/16oz weight. Similar effect and won't get hung up as much. I would probably peg the weight though. The unsalted trick worms will also float and give that tail up action. I usually use a 4/0 round bend worm hook for those. 

My go-to is a Zoom Trick Worm on a pegged Texas rig with the lightest weight I can get away with.  That's the worm rig that I fish the most.  I was wondering if the Neko might work better in the brush but it sounds like maybe not.  Thanks 

[LCG]

I think it will work but if the worm turns then the hook is exposed and more likely to hook into the brush more, although the shank of the hook does keep the neko rig surprisingly weedless. I usually neko rig a senko and Texas rig a trick worm, mostly cause if the thicker diameter makes it easier to get the weight in and o rings are easier to find for senkos.

 

There is a video on you tube of how to rig a weedless ned rig using a mushroom head by threading the TRD onto the line first and sliding it down to the jig head once it's tied on. Haven't tried it yet but worth a shot. I have had great experience with the TRD, great drop shot bait as well. 

[FCPhil]

You might want to try a classic Texas rig with a lighter hooks and a buoyant soft plastic. Elaztech baits (zman, some Strike King) float usually. If it is buoyant enough it will float vertical but still be as weedless as a Texas rig.