ChrisD46

I’ll add the Tiny Child Rig to this conversation - use with standard size TRD (#2 VMC Finesse Neko , 1/16th oz. nail weight ) , Hula Stick (#2 VMC Finesse Neko , 1/16th nail weight) Big TRD (#1 VMC Finesse Neko hook , 1/8th oz. nail weight).

I mainly use Keitech Swing Impact Fat swim baits for 2.8" , 3.3" & 3.8" swim bait lengths . For these sizes it would appear the Owner Flashy Swimmer 1/0 - 1/8th oz. and the 3/0 - 3/16th oz. should be the ones to reach for ... Your thoughts and experiences ?

I put lures in "time out" losing that loving feeling after they don't produce as expected - it's always the lures fault (never my fault !)

For open water finesse fishing (mainly Neko Rig / Wacky Rig and maybe Drop Shot with larger worms) , I thought I would look to research the advantages of moving up from my standard 7' M/F spinning rod and try a little something longer (which appears to be the trend with so many pro spinning rod users for above techniques) . Good rod balance , a soft tip with good back bone for reel set hook sets I believe would be key attributes for these modern , longer spinning rods . The above said - what are your favorite longer than 7' finesse spinning rods that meet the above requirements ?

Cool video Glenn - Thanks (as always) for posting . That Seviin GX reel with a ball bearing drag looks to be some exciting new drag technology I Derek omitted what size Gammy hook he was using (looks to be either a #2 , #1 or 1/0 ?) ... If we knew the hook size with the Missile Baits 48 Derrek used , we could duplicate the set up better .

Great suggestions offered above with the Mustad and Owner offerings , also consider the VMC Finesse Neko hooks .

Yes correct , Zoom needs to re-introduce a low salt content Trick lWorm with a tail that at least rises up to a 45 degree angle … I break off part of a toothpick into the tails of all Trick Worms to get that tail to rise a bit more which helps with Shakey Heads , Neko Rigs , etc. **For a drop shot I want as horizontal level a worm presentation as possible !

With today's thinner braided lines - I believe #30 lb. braid is as thin a diameter as I would go on a bait cast reel to prevent line digging into itself on the reel . True , with careful spooling , rewinding under tension , etc. some successfully use #20 lb. braid on a bait cast reel - but for me it's just not worth the potential trouble ... Only #30 lb. - #65 lb. braid for me on a bait cast reel .

Great replies - all worthy to try !

I have not tried the Gorilla Super Glue Gel yet but it appears to be a good product easily found ... My Defacto standard for quite a while has been the Loctite Super Glue Gel.

My current stand by - may have to try the Gorilla Glue Gel for grins .

For the longest time , I only had a white in-line spinnerbait with black polka dots as my sole bass lure. I learned to fish that one lure successfully throughout the whole water column !

I saw a video of a Yamamoto Psycho Dad Neko Rigged Craw which looked outstanding Neko rigged on the bottom ... This started me wondering what other craw shape soft plastics may prove successful Neko rigged and then dragged slowly or bounced along the bottom ? Ideally 3.5" or so in length with floating pincers and an even tube diameter suitable for an O-ring placement would be ideal ... Your thoughts and experiences with a Neko rigged craw ?

You start to see a trend with these recommended Neko Rig worms , mainly with a bit larger head thickness to make inserting a Neko nose weight easier along with a tapered tail before the tail expands again nearer the tip for more action (especially floating tail options). New worms I want to try (besides those great suggestions listed above) are the Missile Baits Quiver Worm as John Crews designed this especially for the Neko Rig . Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Hit Worm Magnum , BioSpawn PlasmaTail Worm , Bizz Baits Dizzy Diamond Worms andthe Z-Man SMH Shaking My Head Wormz .

All new to me - thanks ! The Daiwa Neko is sort of a Senko hybrid for Neko Rigs . I have a variety of stick worms I use with decent results but seem to have a little more confidence with a 6” to 7” straight tail worms due to the added flex and movement you get from Neko rigging straight tail finesse worms .

What is your current favorite Neko worm (6" to 7") ? ... I mostly use Zoom Trick Worms and Net Bait T-Mac Worms : For the Zoom Trick Worm I have to trim about a 1/4" or so off of the nose to lose that taper so I can insert a nail weight in the head . The Net Bait T-Mack is better in that regard as the head is not tapered at the end plus the action is a little livelier as a Neko worm versus the Zoom Trick Worm . Still , I believe there may be better such as the 6th Sense Devine Shakey Worm or the Xzone Deception Worm or the MB Fat Finesse Worm (both 6") ... Your thoughts and experiences for your current favorite Neko Rig worm ?

I'm still old fashion preferring the Crazy Alberto and Double Uni Knot with braid to FC leader set ups .

Thanks for the lead tips - buying good quality lead ingots is key !

Perhaps a rookie question - what should I be aware of when shopping for lead to make potential jig heads ? I take it there are different led compositions available thus one or two types / compositions would be considered preferred ?

You may decide for yourself if you prefer the newer "PR Knot" better than the FG knot - However , I do believe it is worth taking a serious look at (provided you have the right assembly tools featured in the knot video) :

Thanks for posting Glenn ! I consider the swim jig as part of the "trifecta" of swimming skirted jig lures (Spinnerbait , Vibrating Jig and the Swim Jig) and I use all three according to the water conditions encountered.

Using the Do-It Molds Wacky Weighted Jig Head mold , what are the components you use in terms of hook brand , hook size , metal weed guard and even lead brand / composition ? Lastly any tips / tricks you have learned while making wacky jig heads ? … Thanks I’m advance !

I might color braid with a fat green color sharpie to restore the braid color a bit - but that's about it .

Sufix 832 & Power Pro have the same line diameter in their 30 lb. rated lines - I believe PP is a 4-carrier braid while 832 is an 8-carrier braid - is that correct ?

Here is a color (Ghost Shad) typical of a clear transparent soft plastic color you speak of popular for clear water applications : Strike King Rage Swimmer Swimbait | Tackle Warehouse . I emphasize "clear water" because if you do not have water visibility approaching 3 feet or more - you might as well pick another color .