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Correct. You need thick baits to clear the hook point when they collapse from a bite, so the EWG works better. Whereas there isn't much to worry about in this regard with a worm, so the standard hook works better. An exception might be a magnum worm or a poop worm. I generally fish things of a thicker variety (Poop, Dolive Beaver, etc) so it's always EWG for me.

https://pow-casting-store.ca/drop-shot-weights/the-dredge-drop-shot/

Yes

I am using the Roboworm/Missile Baits collaboration (Dream Worm). Can confirm they work on Neko.

I use probably the thinnest drop shot weight on the market. Specifically for coming through grass. It's a keeled design. I can scarcely tell I'm pulling through grass when I use these. Photo is a 1/8th lead compared to a 1/16th tungsten. It's thinner than the tiny tungsten.

Oh that's good to hear!

Did you lose any with the shrink wrap?

While preparing for tomorrow, I had s really good look at the NetBait TMac worm. And I think it's my favorite thus far. So I compared it to Missile Baits Dream Worm which is quite nice. It's a collaboration with Roboworm. First, the Tmac is just slightly more substantial in girth. And .5" longer for a total of 6.5". I like that the entire body is ribbed. It just feels more substantial, more durable. It also comes 20 to a pack and is impregnated with Bait Fuel...which I like. For those who have fished both, they say the Tmac is a good substitute for a Grandebass. Thus far..early impressions are good!

I'm not sure what would be better at this point..

Today I can only describe as "difficult" in terms of using the Neko. All due to equipment failure/limitation, for lack of a better word. Fished several hours today. Lost the worm AND weight when it flew off during a cast. Was using a Geecrack Neko Hack on a 6" Magic Worm. The Neko Hack was left intact on the hook so I can only assume it pulled through the bait. Disappointing. Next I lost worm and weight when something grabbed the tail and just swam away with it. Was using a 5mm Crossover on a Deception Worm. 5mm seems right as the bait is squeezed. 4mm seemed far too tight. So it seems the bait just slid out. And a 3rd weight was lost when it tore out of the baits nose somehow. So all together, 3 lost worms and 3 lost weights. Oh..didn't catch a fish, either.

Lost one of my JDM Chatterbaits tonight...ouch!

Shrinking doesn't hurt the worm if your're careful. I just never bothered as (luckily) the ones I use fit tightly without shrinking. Please report back on your results after you try this!

I use shrink wrap tubing. I don't even shrink it..just choose the tightest size. Then hook through shrink wrap and worm. I don't even lose delicate Flick Shakes using this method. As an alternative to the shrink wrap, some prefer silicone tubing. The Geecrack Nemo Hack is quite excellent too!

15 minutes ago...

Fished again today in worse conditions. Very windy. Water very dirty. I'm not sure if this is a dirty water bait due to small bait size and water displacement? Can anyone comment on this? I certainly don't have colors for dirty water on hand. I do have a Junebug coming which might be better for dirty water. Everything I have is natural/GP. I might put one of my tiny crappie rattles in. Caught one fish after much grinding and that was it. Not even another bite. I continue to be enamored with how well it comes through grass. It comes through cover of all type beautifully. I like fishing it so far...

I just fished the knock off..it sinks considerably faster than the Karashi. The action is similar I think..But it feels like more work to achieve similar results. Perhaps because of the faster sinking? I need to fish some more to get a better feel.

I have, with some difficulty, made a flashabou tail for the Karashi clone using some holographic material. You can't see, but it flashes red when tilted. Overall, it's a tiny bit lighter than the OEM. I think it turned out fine..given I have zero fly tying experience or equipment. Megabass top, clone on bottom. Megabass weight: 4.9 grams (.171 oz) Clone weight: 5.4 grams (.190oz)

For reasons I don't understand, the population has exploded here in SW Ontario! You can literally see groups of dozens swimming by, feeding, etc Some in the 36"plus range. And they are probably the worst offender for breaking me off even with AFW.They seem to have atrocious aim and whiff and miss completely..often above the leader. And they thrash incredibly once hooked. I consider them a hazard to handle and always wear a heavy glove. One moment of indiscretion with all of those fine teeth will turn your hand into burger. Note my pink thumb nail! Wife was testing UV polishes on me!

I've had 4mm slide off my 4.8 and 5.8 Flick Shake when Wacky Rigged. Can not comment on Neko rigged.

Got out again, this time using a 1/19th oz G-nius Project nail screw and an Owner Sniper Finesse Weedless Neko. Note the longer shank compared to the Ryugi Talisman. I prefer the Owner hook. The titanium weed guards are significantly longer, too. The worms are Missile Baits Dream Worm. I caught one quite quickly. I can only presume it got it on the drop because it was very nearly gut hooked and required some delicate forcep work. After that, things were quiet with no other bites. Going to continue experimenting. Would like to try some Grandebass, but no distributor in Canada. Seems to be a "Gold Standard" Neko bait so I'd like to try one. I have some T-Macs available to me, so those will be tested as well this week. Another highly regarded offering.

Just pike? Lucky you! LOL 😆 I deal with Bowfin, Long Nose Gar, Walleye, Pike and Musky! But I agree with you..people without various toothy critters don't know what real bait loss pain is! LOL 😆

So I got out this morning. Set up was the following: -XZone Deception Worm in "309" marinated in Bait Fuel. -5mm VMC Crossover. -1/16 Tungsten Nail Weight -Ryugi Heavy Guard Talisman #1 hook -7ft Expride Light rod. I put a dab of crazy glue gel on the crossover and nail weight to ensure they stay put. I have had the Crossover come off a Flick Shake worm. It was quite windy (15 mph) for a 1/16th. But I threw it. There's a weed bed I was throwing directly into and around. Comes through cover beautifully. I don't think I had to clean the hook. It was hit on the first cast or so but didn't result in a hookup. On one of the next few casts i caught a fish. Next series of cast I had a firm tug but when I set the hook there was give immediately. Bait came back with no tail. So the fish grabbed the tail aggressively and swam away and I set the hook and ripped the bulbous tail off. Disappointing. I packed it in after that. It was getting too windy. I'll give it another go, perhaps tonight. I have some other interesting tackle and baits..I have some Decoy DS-15 Screw weights and some G-nius Project screw nails. I have some Owner Sniper Finesse Weedless Neko hooks. I have some Missile Baits Magic Worms I'm keen to try. XZone definitely gets another chance, too. So I'm going to run through variations of tackle and baits and see what I like and/or what works better.

I really wanted to love the Neko but it didn't produce for me. And I fished it plenty. But that was some years ago. I have some new and interesting tackle and baits perfectly suited to a Neko Rig. So I'm going to give it a thorough try this week. I've been catching them on a Jika Wacky Rig with a Flick Shake worm, so I know they'll eat a worm.

This is a fantastic Free Rig bait...definitely one of the better bluegill profile ones!

I love fishing a Tokyo Rig in those conditions...