If you don't shy away from the relatively complex rigging of a Neko Rig, you can experience real great moments when fishing for perch. Find out how to tie the Neko Rig and which lures to use here!
As the Neko rig is a real treasure trove for hobbyists and not all modified versions of the rig can be included here, we will limit ourselves to the two standard rigs with either light or heavy weights.
Accessories for the Neko Rig
The Neko Rig Master is the heart of the rig and the direct connection between the hook and the soft bait. The single hook is usually very small with a size #2 to #5. To get the Neko Rig Rig to the desired depth, the rubber bait is weighted down in the front or rear area using a weight.
Version 1: The light Neko Rig
With the light Neko Rig, only a tungsten nail sinker is used as a weight, which is inserted into the soft bait. This means that the lure reacts to even the lightest of tugs with seductive movements and glides gently back to the bottom after jumps. This Neko Rig is an effective method for close range and shallow water zones in particular, but longer sinking phases can also be very seductive.
Neko Master
Single hook
Tungsten Nail Sinker
Neko Rig accessories at a glance
Version 2: The heavy Neko Rig
With the heavy version of the Neko Rig, a Neko Punch is also used and the nail sinker is replaced by a rig sinker of 3.5 to 10 g, which is threaded onto the spiral. This makes it possible to fish at greater distances and in deeper spots. The combination of Neko Punch and Rig Sinker with swivel keeps the lure very agile. As the weight is often sucked in with the bite, small spherical tungsten weights are best suited.
Neko Master
Neko Punch
Single hook
Tungsten Rig Sinker
All Neko Rig hooks at a glance
Soft baits for the Neko Rig
Depending on the configuration, the Neko Rig is one of the lightest finesse rigs and shows its full potential vertically from the boat or, for example, on bulkheads and pools. The rubber lures used are correspondingly small, usually between 2 and 3.5 inches, and must have sufficient volume and a firmer material to securely attach the Neko Rig mast. Rubber crayfish, worms and creature baits, which react very agilely to even the slightest tug, are particularly suitable.
Rubber crayfish
Rubber worms
Creature baits
All Neko Rig baits at a glance
Assembly instructions for the Neko Rig
As the assembly instructions are the same for both Neko-Rig variants up to the attachment of the Tungsten weight, we will first deal with the general part. First, the hook is inserted tip first through the pre-drilled hole in the rubber cap of the Neko Master and pulled up to the middle of the hook shank. The spiral of the Neko Master is then twisted like a corkscrew into the rubber bait as far as it will go.
Instructions for the light Neko rig
With the light Neko rig, the nail sinker is simply inserted into the tail end of the rubber bait, some baits (e.g. Frill Shrimp) already have a special channel for the nail sinker.
Instructions for the heavy Neko rig
For the heavy Neko rig, the Nail Sinker is omitted and instead the Neko Punch is tipped with the Rig Sinker and twisted together into the tail end of the lure.
Then connect the hook to the fluorocarbon leader and the rig is ready to use. As soon as the line is under tension, the lure stands up on the Neko-Rig and can be made to act seductively by the slightest tug and vibration and by lowering and lifting the rod tip, the lure lies down and stands up again. The natural movement of rubber crayfish in particular can be perfectly imitated in this way.
Buy the Neko-Rig starter pack at a low price
We have prepared the Neko Rig starter package with a price advantage and double bonus points so that you don't have to look for the accessories and soft baits individually.