Neko Rig 101

Updated version of the Neko rig video with some underwater shots of the action of the rig.

I can’t quite tell in your video but it appears you’re using the o-ring. Is that correct? I’ve been using two of them over lapped, and the put the hook under the cross section. Seems to help prevent panfish from grabbing the tail end and pulling it clean out, but eventually its just going to rip in the middle. Have you ever used the VMC Crossover Rings? They look like they might work even better.

gimruis wrote:

I can’t quite tell in your video but it appears you’re using the o-ring. Is that correct? I’ve been using two of them over lapped, and the put the hook under the cross section. Seems to help prevent panfish from grabbing the tail end and pulling it clean out, but eventually its just going to rip in the middle. Have you ever used the VMC Crossover Rings? They look like they might work even better.

Save your money and use heat shrink and just put a 1/4 inch of it on. Hook right through it, last you 20x longer and doesn’t effect the actions

I posted in the neko rig thread I made earlier this year that just last week I’ve started having issues with the worm staying on the hook for the first time ever. I’m planning on picking up some of the VMC bands. It’s literally the first time I’ve had this issue. I’ve had days where I’ve caught 50 fish on one or two worms so I’m not sure why that’s changed lately. Costing me a lot of tungsten unfortunately.

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gimruis wrote:</div>
I can’t quite tell in your video but it appears you’re using the o-ring. Is that correct? I’ve been using two of them over lapped, and the put the hook under the cross section. Seems to help prevent panfish from grabbing the tail end and pulling it clean out, but eventually its just going to rip in the middle. Have you ever used the VMC Crossover Rings? They look like they might work even better.

Save your money and use heat shrink and just put a 1/4 inch of it on. Hook right through it, last you 20x longer and doesn’t effect the actions

A lot of people go this route.

mahtofire14 wrote:

Costing me a lot of tungsten unfortunately.

Ya those Tungsten nail weights are a little costly. Its bad enough when you get bit off by a toothy fish, even worse when a worm comes off on a cast or missed hookset. I have noticed that there are a lot of different sizes of O-rings out there for Wacky rigging. I always have several different size ones on hand. I always try and use the smallest size that will fit the bait I’m using without the o-ring causing damage to the bait. The size of various Neko rig baits is all over the place. What size oring fits one may be real loose on the next one.

I have always favored the Tx rig over the Neko. Lately tho, the neko has been excellent. Going through quite a few weights. Using shrink wrap and o rings. Big ones through em off once in awhile. I like catching big ones tho. Using a Yum Genie that’s 7.5 in in a purplish-blue with flecks. Reminds me of. Weighted wacky rig. Been doing the job.

ssaamm wrote:

I have always favored the Tx rig over the Neko. Lately tho, the neko has been excellent. Going through quite a few weights. Using shrink wrap and o rings. Big ones through em off once in awhile. I like catching big ones tho. Using a Yum Genie that’s 7.5 in in a purplish-blue with flecks. Reminds me of. Weighted wacky rig. Been doing the job.

Yep, don’t be afraid to use larger worms. That 7 inch length seems to be the ticket. Some of my biggest fish have come on the neko.

Just watched the video. I do use a 7ft medium baitcaster. Maybe a spinning rod is worth a try

So hook up or hook down? Been doing it so the hook is up>

I hook it on the down side 1/3 the way up from the weight. I never miss fish on the neko. If they hit it they usually inhale it.

mrpike1973 wrote:

So hook up or hook down? Been doing it so the hook is up>

I go Hook up ( Hook point facing away from the Weighted end ) it comes through the weeds much cleaner this way.

The Neko rig accounted for most of my larger fish last night. I caught more on the dropshot, buy bigger fish on the Neko. The Dropshot, Neko one two punch is quickly becoming my go to choice. Throw the dropshot to get the #’s and then follow up with the Neko to try and catch the bigger fish.

fishthumper wrote:

The Neko rig accounted for most of my larger fish last night.

Are you tossing it on weed lines or in shallow cover around pads, docks, etc?

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
The Neko rig accounted for most of my larger fish last night.

Are you tossing it on weed lines or in shallow cover around pads, docks, etc?

Deep side of the weeds for me. Or deeper flat hard bottom areas surrounded by weeds

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
The Neko rig accounted for most of my larger fish last night.

Are you tossing it on weed lines or in shallow cover around pads, docks, etc?

Mostly deep weedlines and on some sunken humps. Most my fish last night were in 12-14 Ft of water. That is as deep as the Weedline growth is right now. In another month it will probably be a few feet deeper.

Thanks for the tips I’m hooking it wrong

mrpike1973 wrote:

So hook up or hook down? Been doing it so the hook is up>

I actually do it both ways. I never have problems with hookups either up or down. I actually like down because it keeps it mostly weedless at the hook bend shields the point when it is down and it get’s hung up less. I guess I have an opposite theory as Thumper. The best part about those VMC Neko hooks is if it touches a part of the fish’s mouth it’s going to stick.

This time of year I am using the neko solely on the deep weed edges of main lake points and humps. It crushes most days.

Wired to fish has a few excellent YouTube videos with some cool underwater footage on this subject. I can’t seem to link the post here. Just go to YouTube and search Neko rig hook point up or down. With the hookpoint up the shaft of the hook acts like a weed guard and helps the lure move through weeds and over cover with far less hangups It didn’t make sense to me till I saw the video footage of the difference

I guess I don’t see how having the shaft of the hook below the point would stop anything. Guess I’ll have to watch the video.

mrpike1973 wrote:

Thanks for the tips I’m hooking it wrong

I don’t think there is really a wrong way unless your hooking it in the very tip. Point being mahto and I do exact opposite of thumper and it works great for all 3 of us.