There is nothing more rewarding in bass fishing than discovering something new or trying a different technique and catching bass with it. When you were a kid and all you did was fish with worms, it was fun. Then you started throwing spinnerbaits and caught fish, and that felt exciting because it was something different. As you progressed through the many bass lures and techniques, each new presentation brought its own rewards.

The Senko-style stick bait launched a new era of bass fishing, much like the urchin-style baits being used today. In fact, urchin baits may eventually become even more popular than the Senko. But an urchin bait is pretty much what it is, with limited ways to change the presentation. The Senko, however, offers a variety of rigging options and fishing techniques. One of those options is the Neko Rig.

What Is a Neko Rig and How Did It Become Popular?

The Neko Rig is relatively new to me, and I have only been using it for about 15 years. However, through information I found online and from Optimum Baits, I learned that Japanese lure designer Haruhiko Murakami is credited with developing and advancing this technique by adding tungsten nail sinkers to the heads of soft plastic worms. The name "Neko" comes from the Japanese phrase "Neko-sogi," which translates to "the rig that catches all the fish like a vacuum cleaner."

I am pretty sure my longtime fishing partner and best friend, Rick Holmberg, got me started with it. He was always experimenting with different techniques and tackle. We used the rig whenever we fished Lake Ronkonkoma or Fort Pond, especially in deeper areas where we felt a traditional wacky rig took too long to reach the bottom.

It started with a small split shot added to a wacky rig hook. But with my experience as a carpenter, we eventually began using small steel nails inserted into the end of the bait. That was how I started experimenting with the Neko Rig.

Neko Rigging Guide

Why Neko Rig Fishing Works in Shallow and Deep Water

Although the Neko Rig is particularly useful in deeper water, where its straight-down shimmy can attract bass, I also use it in shallow areas when I want to make a worm fall in a very specific location.

When fishing around grass or lily pads, you may come across distinct holes in the vegetation. These openings are often created when a bass pushes through the cabbage to chase or grab something, whether it is a bug, bird, snake, or frog. A traditional wacky rig will often slide to the left or right and fall relatively slowly. I have found that the Neko Rig drops more directly and quickly to the bottom.

For some reason, that presentation appeals to bass holding in or around those openings. It allows me to put the bait right where I want it instead of letting it drift away from the target.

The same advantage applies when fishing deeper water. If you are working a steep drop-off and want your worm to land on a ledge in 10 feet of water, the Neko Rig gets it there more quickly and accurately than a wacky rig. It is also easier to "walk" the bait up a ledge or let it drop down one, depending on how you want to fish it.

With good electronics, such as the new Lowrance Eagle Eye 9, you can actually watch the bait as it hops and moves up or down a ledge. If you are like me, though, feel is still what I rely on most.

How to Fish a Neko Rig in Wind and Different Conditions

Wind almost always comes into play when fishing a Neko Rig. Depending on the fishing line you use, it can have an even greater effect on your presentation.

For example, light 10-pound-test KastKing Alpha 9 Hammer line can catch even the slightest breeze, almost like a giant spider's silk. When that happens, your Neko Rig gets pulled along with the line instead of falling exactly where you want it.

When it gets really windy, I have found two options. The first is to cast directly into the wind. The second is to switch to fluorocarbon line. Fluorocarbon is heavier, so the wind does not grab it as easily. Another option in windy conditions is to use a slightly heavier weight to help keep the bait on track.

When conditions are relatively calm, you can fish a Neko Rig throughout the year, depending on where you live. I have never seen anyone use one while fishing through the ice up north! Other than hard-water fishing, though, it can be used all year long.

Best Conditions for Neko Rig Bass Fishing

Bluebird days immediately after a cold front are probably some of the best conditions for throwing a Neko Rig. Bass tend to be slower to react during these periods. Under bright blue skies and with little or no wind, they may not be actively feeding.

These are the days when you need to downsize your presentation or give bass something more subtle, yet still appealing. The Neko Rig is a good option because it offers a slower, more controlled presentation without giving up the ability to put the bait exactly where you want it.

When bass are reluctant to chase faster-moving lures, a carefully placed Neko Rig can give them a different look and encourage a bite.

Fishing a Neko Rig for Suspended Bass and Spawning Fish

If you have forward-facing sonar, Neko Rigs can be deadly when targeting suspended bass. The bait slides straight down into a school of fish, and a few twitches or hops can be enough to trigger a strike.

As the bait enters the strike zone, a slight twitch of the rod tip can also help entice a bite. Being able to see suspended fish and drop the Neko Rig directly in front of them gives you another way to make the most of this technique.

Another application is bed fishing, although I rarely do it because I have a personal preference for leaving spawning bass alone. I believe they should be left undisturbed to spawn.

However, many anglers do fish for bass on beds. Bed fishing can be challenging, and sometimes getting a fish to bite takes hours. If you have already tried several presentations or have only a short window to work a particular bed, a Neko Rig is another option to consider.

You can also experiment with different colors. Try blue, then white, green pumpkin, or pink. Changing colors and presentations may annoy a bass enough to finally trigger a bite.

Neko Rigging Is Not Limited to Senko and Stick Worms

Many anglers believe the Neko Rig can only be used with a stick bait. That is far from the truth. I do believe a stick bait is one of the best choices, but other soft plastics can also be productive.

I have used fluke-style baits, creature baits, and longer worms measuring 8 to 12 inches.

Fluke-style baits can be twitched to create extra action. Creature baits work well when there is minimal cover, allowing them to drop straight down in front of bass. Larger worms can also be effective, slithering through the water like snakes.

The key is not to limit yourself to one type of soft plastic. The Neko Rig gives you room to experiment with different bait styles and presentations to see what bass respond to.

Recommended Rod and Reel for Neko Rig Fishing

For anglers looking for a reliable setup for Neko Rig fishing, the KastKing Royale Legend Pro Spinning Combo is a great option to consider. Its 2000-size spinning reel and 6'10" Medium Light Finesse Spin rod provide a suitable setup for working lightweight soft plastics with a controlled presentation.

The 6.2:1 gear ratio, 10+1 bearings, and Fast action rod make this combo a versatile choice for finesse techniques.

Final Thoughts on Neko Rig Fishing

The Neko Rig is a versatile and effective way to catch bass, especially when the bite gets slow. From shallow grass openings to deep ledges and suspended fish, it gives you a controlled presentation that can be used throughout the year.

It is also a relatively easy technique for beginners to learn. Give it a try, experiment with different soft plastics and colors, and see how it works for you.

Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags!

What is the difference between a Wacky Rig, Inch Wacky Rig, and Neko Rig?

Although all three rigs position the hook near the middle of the worm, they behave very differently in the water.

• Wacky Rig is usually weightless and produces the slowest, most natural fall.
• Inch Wacky Rig uses a jighead-style hook, allowing anglers to fish deeper water, maintain better bottom contact, and work the bait more aggressively through shaking and hopping presentations.
• Neko Rig uses a nail weight inserted into one end of the worm, creating a nose-down posture that excels for bottom-oriented bass and offshore structure fishing.

Many anglers view the Inch Wacky as a middle ground between a traditional Wacky Rig and a Neko Rig because it offers more depth control than a Wacky Rig while maintaining a more balanced fall than a Neko Rig.

About the Author: 

Tom Melton is an outdoor writer and lifelong angler with over 40 years of fishing experience. In 1994, he served as Editor of The Fisherman Magazine on Long Island. He has written more than 5,000 fishing articles and columns and is the author of Fishing the Long Island Coast. Now based in Florida, Tom focuses on freshwater bass fishing as well as saltwater species, sharing practical techniques and gear insights for anglers of all levels.