Neko RIg

Neko Rig Lures are bottom contact lures known for having a worm stand straight resulting in a tail-based worm-like lure action. Some suggest neko rig stand up presentation is good for soft bottom scenarios and hard bottom and most cover.

Anatomy: Neko Rig lures are soft bait lures which typically feature a worm soft plastic, a neko hook, typically with a O-ring or cross-over ring with the hook facing up, and a nail weight in the tail end of the soft plastic worm.  Typically, the hook is referred to as off center, often with the hook 1/3 up the worm soft plastic from the weighted end.  The weight allows the lure to get to bottom quicker but once on the bottom keeps the tail (and hook) off the bottom.

Variants & Other Names: 

  • Chicken Rig: Some call weedless neko rig which is weedless.
  • Off-Center Weighted Wacky Rig: 

Lure Action. Worm-like lure action. 

Search Bait: Not common.

Pros’ Choice: Common. 

Neko Rig courtesy of Norrik
Details
When to Fish Neko Rig

Neko Rigs are bottom contact lures typically selected when:   

  • Targeted Depth is:
    • Shallow: Common, particularly over 5 feet.  
    • Deep(Offshore): Less common as the weights are generally light.
  • Fishing Speed is:
    • Slow: Commonly considered a slow fishing technique albeit faster than its cousin the wacky rig due to the nail weight.
    • Fast: Less commonly considered fishing fast but possible to pitch to selected targets frequently. Some consider it the fastest light presentation.
  • Lure Visibility is:
    • High Lure Visibility:  Common, as it is a subtle presentation. 
    • Low Lure Visibility: Not common.
      • Engaging Lateral Line: Virtually none.
      • Engaging Hearing: Virtually no sound even the weight isn’t heavy enough to make much noise on hard bottom.
      • Engaging Sense of Smell and or Taste: Generally, the soft plastics have odor and taste.
  • Targeting Cover: Some suggest all lures are good near cover where neko rig lures are used when contacting:
    • Grass: Less common but possible to pitch and drop vertically into not too thick grass.
      • Weedless: Less common with a weed guard hook.
    • Rock: Common as a light lure it can easily move over rocks.
    • Wood: Common with a weedless hook.  
    • Dock: Common as it can be skipped. 
    • Off Cover: Less common, Not common to fish suspended bass.
  • Soft Bottom vs Hard Bottom: Common for both hard and soft bottom composition as in soft bottom the weight will put the bottom 1/3 of the in the silk/muck and the top 2/3 above the soft bottom. Some suggest a lighter weight when soft bottom.
    • Exposed Weight: Some suggest when hard bottom letting the weight be exposed such that it can provide feedback during the drag. 
Specific Neko Rig Lure Selection

Selecting the Neko Rig Lure Type, as a soft bait lure type,  there are the following key decisions:

  • Soft Plastics: 
    • Common:
      • Worm: Typically with the hook 1/3 of the way from the bottom (nail weight location) facing up. Common for soft stick bait, floating and less common for finesse and straight tail worm soft plastics.
        • 1/3 to Top:  Less common, but some suggest placing the hook on the top 1/3. 
        • Buoyant Tail: Some suggest a worm soft bait with a buoyant tail will provide better action.
    • Less Common:
  • Size:
    • Small: Under 5″  
    • Common: 5″ to 6″
    • Large: Over 6″
  • Lure Color: As lure color selection is mostly tied to the lure visibility download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic.
Download the Acute Lure Color Breakdown™ Infographic
Rigging Decisions

As a soft bait lure type, the common rigging considerations includes:

  • Hook:
    • Type:
      • Neko Rig Straight Shank Hooks:
      • Wacky Rig Hook Single Hook:
      • Weedless:  Some have weed guards but some can be set up texas-rigged. 
      • Cover Neko Rig Hook: Swivel hook to prevent line twist with a wire keeper allowing for texas-rigged worm soft plastic. 
      • Weighted:
    • Hook Size:
      • Small: Smaller than #1
      • Common: #1, 1/O, 2/O
      • Large: Larger than 2/O
  • Add-on Neko Nail Weights:
    • Light:1/32 oz, 
    • Common:1/16 oz, 3/32 oz
    • Heavy: 1/8 oz
    • Alternatives: Finishing nail, drywall screw.
    • Headed Nail Weight: Some suggest using a headed nail weight; it acts like a jig head. Also, some suggest gluing the nail weight to the soft bait.
    • Second O-Ring for the Weight: Some secure the nail weight with a second O-Ring.
    • Heated Weight: Some suggest heating the nail weight prior to inserting into the soft bait as it will melt onto the weight securing it to the soft bait.
  • O-Ring or Crossover Ring: Placing a O-Ring or Crossover Ring on the worm
  • Main Line: Common for braid
    • Light: 10 lb test to 15 lb test
    • Common: 15 lb test to 20 lb test
    • Heavy: 20 lb test plus
  • Leader: Common for a fluorocarbon leader – 8 to 10 lb test. 
  • Rod: [Based on common lure weight, main line selection and the common presentation decisions (below):
Download Rod Infographic
Neko Rig Presentations

Presentations for neko rig are commonly considered a horizontal presentation that can be fished as a vertical by returning the lure after the fall. As such, it is a slack line presentation if returned to the boat immediately but generally considered a tight line presentation as it is commonly returned using a drag retrieve plus the tight line that keeps the worm soft plastic vertical.  Some other considerations:

Additional Considerations
MLF Videos and Articles by Experts
Major League Fishing (MLF) produces videos and articles including:
Videos by Experts
Articles by Experts
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