Neko / Izz-Rig Hooking Percentage

smalljaws · Post by **smalljaws** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:48 pm

Even though I live several thousand miles away from California I've learned a bunch of neat "cross-over" tricks for smallmouth bass from folks on this boatd.

I want to try the Neko Rig this year for smallies in deep cold clear water lakes - say down to 25 - 30 feet deep. I've watched some of the YouTube videos on the technique and it looks really interesting.

But here is my question or rather concern. With the small finesse hook most folks seem to use in the middle of the worm don't you miss a lot of strikes?

I can see the technique attracting a lot of bass but it would seem to me that the hooking percentage might not be that good. Is that the case?

I am also wondering if I couldn't use other baits - especially fluke style soft plastics in place of the worm.

Appreciate any comments or suggestions.

Thanks a bunch.

acm95301 · Post by **acm95301** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:17 pm

even small bass will totally swallow even a large worm... an ideal bait like a senko or roboworm is no challenge...the challenge is to detect the bite before you gut hook them.

brambo0311 · Post by **brambo0311** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 7:37 pm

You don't need a big hook. You just reel set on them and there done.

Melones_IS_Mine · Post by **Melones_IS_Mine** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:01 pm

I saw that clip(from Fish2Five) on Youtube just before Christmas of '07 and couldn't wait to fish it as soon as possible. On New Years' Day I tried it, and on my first cast caught a chunky Red Eye bass

A few casts later caught a 2#er, so I was sold on the rig...and I was on the bank. I've used it on almost every trip and have done pretty good with it.

As far as hooking percentage, I have lost more than a few. Maybe the components I was using weren't the best for the technique. I was using a 6" straight tail hand poured worm and a light Gamakatsu drop shot hook, but kind of switched to their' wacky rig hook. I also tried their' weedless wacky hook for fishing in some cover, but I went back to the open hook style. Of the fish I lost, the bait came back with the tail impaled on the hook. I don't think you'd have that problem with a fluke or a senko, but I know it happens with soft baits. I was placing the hook 2/3 away from the head, so that may have been my prob. I'm still experimenting.

brambo0311 · Post by **brambo0311** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:11 pm

Use those owner mosquito hooks. That helps. As far as weedless that gammi weedless isn't great, but it's the best I have since reaction inovations stoped makin there's. For izzy riggin.
I thought the neko rig was just Japanese for makin split shotting expensive. Anyone got a link to an example?

Melones_IS_Mine · Post by **Melones_IS_Mine** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:21 pm

I'll look...

Wait one, over!

Melones_IS_Mine · Post by **Melones_IS_Mine** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:26 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VhWf-iD5nc

ash · Post by **ash** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 8:43 pm

brambo0311 wrote:Use those owner mosquito hooks. That helps. As far as weedless that gammi weedless isn't great, but it's the best I have since reaction inovations stoped makin there's. For izzy riggin.
I thought the neko rig was just Japanese for makin split shotting expensive. Anyone got a link to an example?

Owner misquito hooks are sharp and strong, if you rig it a little off set from the center the plastic will be your weed guard, but just barely pass the hook.

Brambo - http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... CCkQ9QEwBA

smalljaws · Post by **smalljaws** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:19 am

Thanks fella's - that gives me the confidence.

I know worms are the bait of choice and I'll try them - but just wondering if anyone has tried using a minnow imiation like a small fluke or Flashtrix style lure.

Thanks again!!!

brambo0311 · Post by **brambo0311** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:30 am

ash wrote:
brambo0311 wrote:Use those owner mosquito hooks. That helps. As far as weedless that gammi weedless isn't great, but it's the best I have since reaction inovations stoped makin there's. For izzy riggin.
I thought the neko rig was just Japanese for makin split shotting expensive. Anyone got a link to an example?
Owner misquito hooks are sharp and strong, if you rig it a little off set from the center the plastic will be your weed guard, but just barely pass the hook.

Brambo - http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt ... -rig-neko-
rig/&h=960&w=1280&sz=601&tbnid=juLr0726mi5DpM:&tbnh=113&t
bnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dneko%2Brig&usg=__r_c2DasyWMI
CAZ209TQ2Hv17u6Y=&ei=iqrGS_etOo-
uswOLis3cCA&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0C
CkQ9QEwBA

thanks. That's an izzy rig. Same thing. My club has been doing that for many years. Anyways best worm at Shasta ECT for doing that was the mans dragon worm you can't get no more. A straight tail injected worm is the one you want for the right action. Basstrix has the next best worm in better colors for that. Then reaction inovations flirt.

I pour shaky heads without the hook to screw in the head when a nail isn't enough.