Neko Rigging | Targeting Deep Docks

 

There are certain times of year when the place to be fishing is deep docks. Immediately after the spawn, in the middle of the summer and early fall are times when bass suspend under deep docks. One of the best ways to catch them is with the help of a Neko Rig.

RIG COMPONENTS

The great thing about Neko rigs is you can use just about any plastic you want. Straight tail worms and soft plastic stickbaits are usually the best, but any soft plastic will have the vertical fall to the bottom with the help of an added weight. Some of my top choices are the Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket and Reins Bubbling Shaker.

Adding weight is as simple as inserting a nail into one end of the bait. Now with the added popularity of the technique companies have developed specific products.

The VMC Neko Weights and Half Moon Wacky Weights are the perfect choice. They come in several different sizes and since they are made from lead, it is easy to break off small sections to reduce weight and get a slower fall. 

One thing I like to do with the Half Moon weights is heat them with a lighter (held by pliers) and then insert into the bait. The heated lead sticks to the bait and reduces the amount of times that it gets lost on a cast.

When it comes to hooks, I have been using traditional wacky-rig hooks for several years but recently switched to a straight shank hook as it allows for a better hookup in my opinion.

It is up to your preference and also whether or not you want to be weedless.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The Neko Rig will work around deep cover like bridge pilings and other places bass suspend, but deep docks nearly always produce with the Neko Rig when the bass are using them as cover.

Finding docks that are located on sloping banks offers bass both shallow and deep cover without having to move far.  If the dock ends in 15- to 25-feet, it is a prime location for the Neko Rig.

APPROACH

My Neko Rig approach is simple. Find a deep dock and cast to it. 

The key though is how it falls. The majority of the strikes I get are on the initial descent; so a slack line is vital.  This allows you to watch your line for the telltale jump as a bass grabs it on the fall.

They will also bite it as it is slowly crawled along the bottom, but that first fall is the best.

Cast, let it fall, reel in and repeat the process.

ROD/REEL/LINE

This technique can be done with both spinning and baitcasting gear. Spinning gear makes it easier to allow the bait to fall as line comes off of the reel easier than it does on a baitcaster.

That being said, I still prefer a lighter baitcast setup like a 7’, medium rod and a reel with a speedy retrieve like the Shimano Metanium MGL. This reel has an 8.5:1 gear ratio. I preferred it spooled with 12-lb Seaguar AbrazX fluorocarbon.

Having a faster retrieve helps to quickly pick up slack if one grabs it as it is falling. The rod is light but has more backbone than most spinning rods and the heavier line gives me a buffer in case a big bass decides to wrap around a cable or rope tied to the dock.

The Neko Rig is gaining popularity throughout the bass fishing world. The reason is because it works, especially when fishing deep docks.