Went to Guntersville today. Wanted to fluke fish around some docks. That didn’t fair well…

 

So, I switched it to a neko rig…with a bladed jig thrown in for good measure. Fished about 4 hrs. Bagged 7 total. 5 on neko and 2 on jh. Longest was 16” and was a shy 1.75 lbs. all the others were smaller. But, all in all a good fight and good day. Caught one poor little fella about 10” long. I told him I was gonna let him go, and he said thank you. Had one nice LM run me into either a dock piling or underwater cover and he came off. When I got my JH back to the reel, the blade was bent at almost a 30 ish (my guess) degree angle. 
 

Here’s how I have it rigged. Would welcome feedback or corrections /changes

Hook: VMC Neko (it’s got a long-ish shank)

Weight: 1/16 oz tungsten nail weight

ORing: VMC Crossover size 7

Plastic: Crush City Pigstick and Janitor in Sprayed Grass (tried baby bass and plum as well, but no takers)

 

Things I noticed:

 

I don’t like size 7 rings. They are too large a diameter I think. I lost 3 “setups” ring, weight and plastic (2 I’m not sure why. 1 I know why). I have 6s that I’m going to use next.

 

The “slot/hole” that the look goes through on the crossover rings is great. However, having to pull the eye back through that “slot/hole” is difficult at best. I know this is an old man problem, but I had to get my glasses out just to get the hook eye started! 
 

I don’t know that I’m sold on the hooks. I bought them because they have a resin closed eye and I was thinking that might help the eye get through the crossover slot better. I didn’t see any difference in that vs one without. I’m in the process of geeking out on BKK hooks, so I’m probably going to look at those as well. That said, next on my list is sniper finesse. I can get those locally, and will try those next. 

Elaztech plastics solve every problem you're having here for me, I do know some hate it though. I would stick with long shank hooks, they penetrate better.

VMC #1 Finesse Neko

size 5 crossover ring

1/16 tungsten (it shows up better on FFS)

7 in Nekorama or 5 in Maxscent General

 

@Smirak  I have the same "old man" problems you do!  And I've found a bluegill can pull a worm out of the crossover ring even when you've got it on tight!  Been running the hook through the ring AND the worm.  Don't know if this is the right fix for this problem but that's what I do.

Try the Gamakatsu Cover Neko. You're welcome. 

 

Caught this baddy with one earlier today.