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55 Of The Top Neko Rig Worms and Baits Pro Bass Anglers Are Keeping From You [With Pictures]

Finally! Here Are The Best Neko Rig Setup - All Baits You’ve Been Waiting For And They’re Not What You Think!

The Neko rig can introduce a new fishing technique to anglers.

A Neko rig is created when a wacky rig hook is thread into the middle of the bait wacky-style and a small weight is inserted into the nose of the bait.

When the bait is being fished, worked over an area, or being reeled in, the lure will bend at the middle of the bait where the hook is inserted.

Additionally, the bait will fall “nose-down” when a slack line is given.

The Neko rig can be fished over open water or on the floor of the lake.

However, choosing the right lure can be frustrating for some. And it’s not your fault…

Many anglers are very resistant to talk about some of the Neko rig worms and baits that work the best.

Selecting the right bait for the Neko rig can be challenging, especially if you are unfamiliar with all your options.

The Neko Rig Worm Lie...

I created this buyer’s guide because I was sick and tired of being told there were only a couple of lures that are used for a Neko rig…

And I believed the lies until I reviewed and inspected live-stream tournament footage of a prominent professional angler (unnamed) who consistently preaches those falsehoods…

Although he clearly tried to hide the lure used on his Neko rig, it certainly was not a worm!

That spurred me to do more research and launch my own investigation.

For additional guidance, I have provided a useful blueprint where my research has uncovered some Neko rig bait options that may blow your mind!

If you are in a hurry, I’ve selected the top picks for you below.

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In A Hurry?

If you don’t have much time to read the detailed reviews, simply use the links below to quickly find the best Neko bait for the money on Amazon. You can be assured we only choose the best products…

Best Overall Neko Bait – Yamamoto Senko

Editors Choice – Zoom Lizard

Best Bait For A Quick Limit – Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm

Best Sleeper Neko Bait – Berkley Power Worm

Neko Bait Comparison Table

Best Overall
Yamamoto 9-10-301 Senko, 5-Inch, 10-Pack, Green Pum-Packin W/Lg Green & Pur
Best Action
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait (Margarita Mutilator, 6-Inch) BLUE
Editor's Choice
Zoom Bait 6-Inch Lizard Bait-Pack of 9 (Green Pumpkin), One Size (002-025)
Best Deep Water
Berkley PowerBait Power Worms Motor Oil, 7" (13 Count)
Product
Yamamoto Senko
Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm
Zoom Lizard
Berkley Powerworm
Length
5-inches
6-inches
6-inches
7-inches
Scented
Quantity/pack
10
10
9
13
Angler Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
-
Amazon Prime
Best Overall
Yamamoto 9-10-301 Senko, 5-Inch, 10-Pack, Green Pum-Packin W/Lg Green & Pur
Product
Yamamoto Senko
Length
5-inches
Scented
Quantity/pack
10
Angler Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More
Best Action
Roboworm Straight Tail Worm Bait (Margarita Mutilator, 6-Inch) BLUE
Product
Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm
Length
6-inches
Scented
Quantity/pack
10
Angler Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More
Editor's Choice
Zoom Bait 6-Inch Lizard Bait-Pack of 9 (Green Pumpkin), One Size (002-025)
Product
Zoom Lizard
Length
6-inches
Scented
Quantity/pack
9
Angler Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prime Status
-
Learn More
Best Deep Water
Berkley PowerBait Power Worms Motor Oil, 7" (13 Count)
Product
Berkley Powerworm
Length
7-inches
Scented
Quantity/pack
13
Angler Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prime Status
Amazon Prime
Learn More

#ad / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Neko Rig Senko

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Senkos that are Neko rigged are known to attract a high number of bites, as well as a high number of big bites.

It’s the perfect bait for a beginner especially since the  baits are quite simple to use.

Senko style stick baits gain their action as it’s falling in the water and will have a faint shimmy even when Neko rigged.

The majority of the time, a bass will consume your bait as it falls to the ground. If it doesn’t, toss it out, count to 30 seconds, and wait for it to land on the bottom. Give a few more hops and pause for a few more seconds.

More than likely, you’ll probably feel a couple of taps on your line, or perhaps you’ll see it moving away. That’s when you’ll know you have a fish on the line!

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Roboworm or A Drop Shot Worm

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Drop shot worms catch so many bass (especially on a Neko rig) that they should be in every angler’s tackle box. 

Fishing a Neko rig with a drop shot worm is a great way to produce a large number of large bass and get your limit quick.

They work well in any location where you wish to go bass fishing. The undulating movement of most other drop shot baits entices fish to bite. 

Supple straight-tail worms, especially the Roboworms, are at the top of the list. They are the softest, most flexible, and most active straight tail worms on the market right now.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Zoom Trick Worm

Click on the picture to learn more

The trick worm is remarkable since it floats. And when it’s Neko rigged, you can make it fall very slowly especially if you use a very light weight.  In cold water applications, this is critical.

Otherwise, a regular 1/16-ounce Neko weight works perfectly. Best of all, your bait will stand vertically and move with the smallest current or twitch in the rod.

It’s a bait that should be kept in your boat at all times. It may capture large bass in all four seasons on shallow flats or beneath vertical cover.

It’s undeniably one of the most popular and versatile soft-plastic finesse baits available.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig French Fry

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The length of these little stickbaits ranges from two and a half to four inches. Neko rigged french fry worms work so well because of their small size.

On the way down, the buoyancy allows for a slower, more horizontal, and occasionally whirling descent.

The Neko weight will encourage these little baits to stand up on their own even on a slack line.

These are great for clear and semi-stained water conditions.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Curly Tail Finesse Worms

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If you are fishing around cover, a Neko rigged finesse curly tail worm is excellent for pitching and flipping. The curled tail allows the worm to have a swimming movement as it sinks to the bottom. 

If you lift it a few times and then let it fall, you’ll most likely receive your bites on the way down. 

Most anglers do not swim them, although it does not exclude you from doing so. 

Curly tail worms in the finesse size (4-6-inches) will work incredibly well for clear water conditions.

For warmer water, remember that baits with undulating tails are ideal.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig 7-10-inch Ribbon Tail Worm

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Using a Neko rig with a large ribbon tail worm is great for deep water presentation, especially if the fish have been pressured. 

I can almost guarantee you the bass has never seen this presentation before.!

Instead of fishing the rig on a finesse rod, it’s best to use your standard baitcasting jig and worm rod. 

For the weight, a ½-¾-ounce tungsten jig head with the hook section snipped off. 

Using a tungsten jig head also allows you to “feel” the bottom much better. 

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Craw

Click on the picture to learn more

Crawfish are a significant source of food for all bass species, and the crawfish’s location and behavior influence the bass’s location and behavior.

Because crawfish are such a valuable food source and may survive in a variety of locations and habitats, a variety of lures have been developed to imitate their profile, motion, and/or color patterns.

When using a Neko rigged craw lure you can add a light 1/16th-ounce weight for a slow fall, or opt for a heavier weight for a faster fall. 

You’ll most likely get 60% of your bites on the cast as the bait is falling to the bottom. 

Craw baits such as a Berkley Chigger Craw, Strike King Rage Craw, or the Googan Krackin’ Craw all have great action on the fall. 

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Creature Bait

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To put it another way, creature baits imitate a little bit of everything. And when they’re used on a Neko rig the creature bait will stand upright. 

The Neko rig creature bait performs great in any fishing situation. They catch fish in clear or stained water, and you’ll get bites in both heavy cover and open water.

It’s important to remember to use a weedless hook with fishing around heavy cover.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Lizard

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There’s a reason why lizards have long been one of the most popular soft-plastic baits on the market… without a doubt, they catch monster bass!

Soft plastic lizards are a little bigger and heavier than typical worms, making them excellent for shallow water fishing with a light Neko weight.

Both smallmouth and largemouth fish enjoy lizards and salamanders as food.

Now with a Neko rig lizard you can present it to the bass with a head-down tail-up orientation, perfectly mimicking a real lizard trying to eat critters on the lake floor.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Minnow & Fluke

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Fluke fishing for bass is an excellent approach to catch those elusive or pressured bass. And when you make a Neko rig minnow bait it’s insanely effective. 

Because of its ideal size, it constantly attracts bites. This bait has a fast lifelike dashing and darting movement and a very modest fall.

As the lure is being worked on the lake floor it looks like a real baitfish foraging for food!

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Swimbait

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When it comes to having the ability to pull bass out of clear water conditions, a swimbait is an essential weapon in your arsenal.

In clear water a Neko rig swimbait looks like a wacky rigged swimbait, but when the bait is falling the tail will kick. 

Most of the bites will come in the fall. It’s also a great bait for catching suspended fish!

Rule of thumb, if you don’t know what size fluke to use, try your best to match the size and color to the shad on your local lake. 

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Grub

Grubs are soft plastic baits with a short body and wider swimming tail.

Then fished Neko style the grubs will have a similar action to a swimbait fished the same way. 

The tail produces a ton of vibration when it’s swimming and can be fished very slowly. 

Neko rig grubs are best fished in stained water, but can also be fished in clear or even dirty water conditions.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

Neko Rig Tube

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Last but definitely not least is the Neko rig tube. A standard tube can mimic anything. You name it… It can mimic a crawfish, shad, bluegill, or even a waterbug!

Now combine a tube’s versatility with the subtle head-down presentation of the Neko rig and you have a lure that is unstoppable. 

A little 1/8-ounce weighted tube hook is perfect for shallow water fishing for if you’re bed fishing in spring.

Here are some pictures of the baits I was talking about...

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