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Soft Plastic Rigging Guide: Neko Rig
What Is It?
First developed among bass finesse anglers in Japan, the Neko Rig is essentially just a weighted version of a Wacky Rig with a weight inserted into just one end of the soft plastic, giving the bait a unique action as it descends through the water column and a unique "stand-up-on-the-bottom" presentation that combines features of the Wacky Rig, Ned Rig, and a shakey head jig.
How To Rig It
To create a Neko Rig, start with a wacky rigged version of your favorite soft plastic stick bait or worm, then insert a weight such as a small metal nail, screw, or specialized lead or tungsten Neko Rig weight in the end. It's as simple as that.
By inserting a nail weight in one end, the Neko Rig falls faster with a crazy darting and gliding action. Once on the bottom, the weighted end hops along the bottom structure while the unweighted end dances around producing strike-inducing action from finicky fish.
How To Fish It
When throwing the Neko Rig, cast it out and watch your line on the way down. Give the line a little shake as the bait is getting near the bottom. If the bait makes it to the bottom without getting hit, give it some easy shakes on a semi-slack line. Then let it settle back down to the bottom and repeat the process until a fish takes your presentation.
Tips & Tricks
Neko Rig Explained
Neko Rig 101
Neko vs. Ned Rig
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Gary Yamamoto Senko 5 inch Soft Plastic Stick Bait 10 pack
$7.99from $6.054.94 / 5.0
16 Reviews
Features: The Gary Yamamoto Senko is the original soft plastic bass fishing stickbait. Design that popularized the incredibly effective soft plast...
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Z-Man ZinkerZ 5 inch Soft Plastic Stick Bait 6 pack
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ICAST WINNER
VMC Crossover Ring 10 pack
$5.99$4.494.89 / 5.0
38 Reviews
Features: The VMC® Crossover Rings™ are rigging rings with a dual-channel hood that allows for either Neko or Wacky style rigging. Increases hook...
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Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General Soft Stickbait
$7.99$5.994.92 / 5.0
24 Reviews
Features: The Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General is a soft stickbait made from an all-new material that releases a super-charged scent field a...
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Keitech Tungsten Super Round Jig Heads
$4.995.0 / 5.0
21 Reviews
Size Hook Size Quantity 1/16 oz 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, or 3/0 4 pack 3/32 oz 1, 2, 3, or 4 4 pack 1/8 oz 1/0, 2/0, or 3/0 3 pack 3/16 oz ...
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Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Fat Worm 5 inch 10 pack
$8.49$7.225.0 / 5.0
10 Reviews
Features: The Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Fat worm is a 5 inch worm with a bulbous tail that quivers. Rig it in tons of different ways. Try these worms wi...
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Gary Yamamoto Senko 4 inch Soft Plastic Stick Bait - 10 pack
$7.99from $6.055.0 / 5.0
17 Reviews
Features: The Gary Yamamoto Senko is the original soft plastic bass fishing stickbait. Design that popularized the incredibly effective soft plast...
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YUM Dinger Soft Plastic Stick Bait
from $3.49from $2.814.97 / 5.0
29 Reviews
Features: The YUM Dinger is a versatile soft plastic stick bait with subtle, lifelike action that doesn't break the bank. Works well with a variet...
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Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Hit Worm Soft Plastic Finesse Worm
$7.99$5.994.93 / 5.0
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Features: The Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Hit Worm is a 4 1/2 inch and 7 inch soft plastic finesse worm. Thick, ribbed main body section and tapere...
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Z-Man Bang StickZ 5 3/4 inch Skirted Soft Stickbait
$4.99from $3.234.89 / 5.0
19 Reviews
Features: The Z-Man Bang StickZ are 5 3/4 inch soft stickbaits made from Z-Man's super durable ElaZtech plastic material. The "tentacle skirt" a...
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VMC Neko Pagoda Nail Weight 10 pack
$4.99$3.744.83 / 5.0
12 Reviews
Features: The VMC Neko Weight is specifically designed to add weight to soft baits when Neko-rigging. Conical ribs that firmly anchor it in place ...
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Gary Yamamoto 6 Inch Senko Soft Plastic Stick Bait - 5 Pack
$6.99$6.294.8 / 5.0
15 Reviews
Features: The Gary Yamamoto Senko is the original soft plastic bass fishing stickbait, and the 6 Inch design is a tempting offering for monsters! ...
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Z-Man Neko ShroomZ Nose Weights 4 pack
$5.29$3.975.0 / 5.0
16 Reviews
Features: The Z-Man Neko ShroomZ are small nose weights designed to alter the action of soft plastic worms, stickbaits, and other finesse soft pla...
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Zoom Trick Worm 6 1/2 inch Soft Plastic Worm 20 pack
$6.49from $5.144.96 / 5.0
27 Reviews
Features: The Zoom Trick Worm is amazing fished weightless around shallow cover, but also deadly on a Carolina rig or shakey head. Highly effectiv...
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Gary Yamamoto 5 Inch Thin Senko Soft Plastic Stick Bait - 10 Pack
$7.99$7.194.67 / 5.0
3 Reviews
Features: The Yamamoto Thin Senko is a 5 inch thinner version of the Gary Yamamoto's original and iconic Senko stickbait worm. The Gary Yamamoto T...
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Strike King Shim-E-Stick 5 inch Soft Plastic Stickbait
$4.99from $3.315.0 / 5.0
4 Reviews
Features: The Strike King Shim-E-Stick is a classic 5 inch soft plastic stickbait. Super soft to give the perfect "shimmy" on the fall. Heavily sa...
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VMC "Ike Approved" Wacky Weedless Hook
$5.99$4.494.8 / 5.0
10 Reviews
Features: The VMC Wacky Weedless Hook is a light wire finesse hook for wacky rigging soft plastics. Wire weedguard that lays into the hook to keep...
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VMC Weedless Neko Hook Black Nickel 5 pack
$6.49$4.875.0 / 5.0
11 Reviews
Features: The VMC Neko Hook is designed specifically by "Ike" Iaconelli for Neko-rigging in snaggy cover. Forged with a 3-degree offset for improv...
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VMC Finesse Neko Hook 5 pack
$6.99$5.245.0 / 5.0
6 Reviews
Features: The VMC Finesse Neko Hook is finesse hook for Neko rigging applications. Engineered with a 3-degree offset point for a better hook up ra...
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Big Bite Baits Trick Stick Soft Plastic Stickbait - 5 Inch
from $3.29from $2.404.79 / 5.0
14 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Trick Stick is a Soft Plastic Stickbait designed for success and versatility! Constructed with Big Bite Baits super s...
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VMC 6mm Neko/Wacky Rigging Rings 15 pack
$3.99$2.994.33 / 5.0
3 Reviews
Features: VMC Neko Rigging Rings are 6mm rubber O-rings for helping you Neko or wacky rig soft plastics. Ring rigging secures hooks to the worm wi...
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Xzone True Center Stick Soft Plastic Stickbait 8 pack
from $4.99from $3.075.0 / 5.0
10 Reviews
Features: The Xzone Pro-Series True Center Stick is a super salty, super soft Senko-style soft plastic stickbait with a unique, marked "Wacky Zone"...
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VMC "Ike Approved" Wide Gap Wacky Hooks
from $3.49from $2.625.0 / 5.0
4 Reviews
Features: VMC Wacky Hooks are extra wide gap, black nickel octopus hooks designed primarily for wacky rigging or dropshotting finesse plastic bait...
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Zoom Finesse Worm 4 1/4 inch Soft Plastic Worm 20 pack
$5.99from $4.555.0 / 5.0
7 Reviews
Features: The Zoom Finesse Worm is a 4 1/2 inch soft plastic worm. Finesse worm profile. Slim, gradually tapering worm. Salt-impregnated for bette...
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Xzone Deception Worm 6 inch Finesse Worm 15 pack
$5.99$5.095.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Features: The Xzone Deception Worm is a 6 inch finesse soft plastic worm made from a specialized blend of soft plastic. Worm's tail stands up off t...
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Strike King Zero ElazTech 5 inch Soft Stickbait
$4.99$4.244.83 / 5.0
6 Reviews
Features: The Strike King Zero ElazTech Soft Stickbait is a 5 inch ElazTech soft plastic "Senko-style" worm. Compared to other soft baits made fro...
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VMC Crossover Ring Rigging Pliers
$16.99$12.744.77 / 5.0
13 Reviews
Features: The VMC Crossover Pliers are a rigging tool designed for use with the new VMC Crossover Neko/Wacky rings. Makes both Neko and Wacky rigg...
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Strike King KVD Finesse Worm Straight Tail Soft Plastic Worm
from $6.49from $4.455.0 / 5.0
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Gary Yamamoto 5 Inch Kut Tail Worm - 10 Pack
$5.99from $3.824.75 / 5.0
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Mustad TitanX Tungsten Nail Weight 10 pack
from $5.49from $4.674.6 / 5.0
5 Reviews
Features: The Mustad TitanX Tungsten Nail Weights are pagoda-style tungsten weights for rigging bass fishing soft plastics. Non-toxic, corrosion r...
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Zoom Magnum Trick Worm 7 inch Soft Plastic Worm 8 pack
$6.49from $5.345.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
The Magnum Trick Worm is a key choice for anglers who want to present a slightly beefier package to fish that might be spooked by something with mo...
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VMC Wacky Weedless Jig Head 4 pack
$7.99$5.994.5 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Features: The VMC Wacky Weedless Jig Head is a weedless wacky jig with a 1/0 hook designed by Ike Iaconelli. Hook point is offset by 3-degrees to ...
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Gambler Ace 5 1/4 inch Soft Stickbait 8 pack
$4.79from $3.905.0 / 5.0
6 Reviews
Features: The Gambler Ace is 5 1/4 inch Senko-style soft plastic stickbait. One of the most productive stick baits in the South. Falls slower, whic...
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Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky Hooks
$11.98$10.305.0 / 5.0
1 Review
Features: The Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky Hook is a set of wide gap hooks that are great for wacky rigging. They also feature a weed guard ...
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Lunkerhunt Lunker Sticks 5 inch Soft Plastic Stickbait 10 pack
$5.99from $4.315.0 / 5.0
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Features: Lunkerhunt Lunker Sticks are 5 inch, Senko-style soft plastic stickbaits. Durable salt impregnated plastic that can survive multiple fish...
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Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Straight Worm 5.8 inch 10 pack
$8.49from $5.575.0 / 5.0
1 Review
Features: The Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Straight Worm is 5.8 inches long and is an ideal option for finesse fishing. It is designed with precise detail,...
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Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Wacky Worm Tool
$5.99$5.095.0 / 5.0
3 Reviews
Features: The Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp Wacky Worm Tool helps anglers wacky rig soft plastic stickbaits and worms with O-rings. Hollow metal construc...
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Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Macho 4.5 inch Soft Stickbait 10 pack
$8.99from $5.895.0 / 5.0
4 Reviews
Features: The Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Macho is a 4.5 inch stick worm designed for bass finesse fishing applications such as the Neko, wacky, or Ned ri...
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Berkley PowerBait The General Soft Stickbait
$5.99from $4.494.89 / 5.0
9 Reviews
Features: The Berkley PowerBait The General is a classic "Senko-style" soft stickbait laced with Berkley's proprietary PowerBait attractant. Class...
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VMC Wacky Rig Kit
$12.99$9.745.0 / 5.0
3 Reviews
Features: The VMC Wacky Rig Kit is 19-piece starter kit designed to furnish anglers with everything they need to throw Wacky rigged soft baits for ...
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VMC Neko Hook Black Nickel 6 pack
$4.49$3.374.83 / 5.0
6 Reviews
Features: The VMC Neko Hook black nickel was designed specifically by "Ike" Iaconelli for the finesse technique of Neko-Wacky rigging. Forged with...
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VMC Neko Hook Black Nickel 25 pack
$13.99$10.495.0 / 5.0
5 Reviews
Features: The VMC Neko Hook black nickel was designed specifically by "Ike" Iaconelli for the finesse technique of Neko-Wacky rigging. Value Pack ...
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Big Bite Baits 5 inch Soft Neko Wacky Stick 6 pack
$4.69from $3.304.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Features: The Big Bite Baits Soft Neko Wacky Stick is a 5 inch soft plastic stickbait/ Made with super salty and super soft plastic that produces ...
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VMC Half Moon Wacky Weight 10 pack
$4.99$3.744.86 / 5.0
7 Reviews
Features: VMC Half Moon Wacky Weights are lead nail sinker weights for Neko rigging soft plastics or altering soft plastic bait action. Conical ri...
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VMC Tokyo Rig Finesse Neko 2 pack
$5.99from $3.764.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Features: The VMC Tokyo Rig Finesse Neko is the newest iteration of the VMC Tokyo Rig that features a VMC Finesse Neko Hook. Allows anglers to e...
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Owner Ultrahead Wacky Jig Head 4 pack
$6.49$5.52Features: The Owner Ultrahead Wacky Jig Head is a jighead that allows secure, weedless presentation of wacky rigged baits. Built around a 1/0 hook...
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G7 Worm Protect Tube
$3.592.0 / 5.0
1 Review
Features: G7 Worm Protect Tubes are specialized rigging rings for Neko or wacky rigging soft plastic stickbaits and worms. Made from durable silic...
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Eagle Claw Trokar TK97W Weedless Wacky Worm Hook
$9.49$8.075.0 / 5.0
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Features: The Eagle Claw Trokar TK97W Wacky Worm Hook is a premium wacky rig worm hook featuring a wire weed guard The TK97W Hook is made from hea...
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