Neko Rig

The Neko Rig is a finesse soft-plastic fishing rig best known from bass fishing, designed to present a very natural and subtle action. It is a refined variation of the wacky rig, with the key difference being a small nail or pin weight inserted into one end of the soft plastic bait, usually a stick worm. The hook is placed through the middle of the bait or slightly offset, allowing the lure to move freely. When fished, the weighted end of the bait sinks first and stays in contact with the bottom, while the unweighted end stands up and gently quivers with even the smallest rod movement or water current. This creates a lifelike presentation that closely imitates a small worm or aquatic creature feeding on the bottom, which makes the rig especially effective when fish are inactive or heavily pressured. The Neko Rig works best in clear to moderately stained water and is particularly effective over gravel, sand, rocky bottoms, dock areas, and along the edges of weed lines. It is usually fished slowly, with gentle drags, short hops, or by letting it rest on the bottom and barely twitching the rod tip. Many strikes are very subtle, so careful line watching is important. Because of its finesse nature, the Neko Rig excels at triggering bites from cautious fish that ignore more aggressive presentations. However, it is less suitable for heavy cover or thick vegetation unless modified to be more weedless. Overall, the Neko Rig is a highly versatile and precise bottom-contact technique that rewards patience and a slow, controlled approach.