Does this REPLACE a Texas Rig Worm?!?!

One of the best lures in bass fishing is the Texas Rigged Worm. Really you can Texas Rig almost any setup. In this video we explore the Tokyo Rig - a lure setup like the Texas Rig but offering a few differences and advantages for catching bass.
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[@roberts.2413]

There is a company called Red One Systems that makes what they call Miiller Punchin' Tungsten weights. What is unique about this weight is that it is a diamond shape and goes through grass like a knife through butter. It allows you to use a little less weight than the standard Texas rig. It has caught me a lot of fish pitching it into thick grass.

[@rodcashman4793]

Great info Mikey will have to give this a try !! Thanks for sharing 🎣

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

Sweet!!! I've always seen the Tokyo rigs at my tackle shop but had no idea how to work it. Thanks Mike again brotha 🤘🤘

[@Huntn_fish365.2]

I love it. Good info as always. I use two weights end to end. it comes through cover, much smoother in and out and gives you a little clicking when you’re shaking it. Even add a bead in between them in dirty water.

[@vincentlivoti4184]

Mikey there are a few other ways to rig that Tokyo weight setup. A lot of times guys use two smaller bullet weights. Opposing say two quarter ounce and they'll put a bead in between the two so you get a little bit of the clacking action. Around rocks I've seen other guys use tungsten football type or rocker weights instead of using the traditional bullet weights. Also, I've seen guys use mojo rig weights and eggs sinkers.

[@bartcasto2240]

So simple I'm mad I didn't think of it hahaha thanks my man

[@basstobasscookingbrentbabi5411]

Thank you for your knowledge bro🙌🏼🤘🏼🎣- you rock!

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Mike thanks for the great video I've been looking at the finesse one from vmc. GOD bless you and your family and my buddy bogs.

[@midwestangler]

Great Video. I have been throwing the Tokyo Rig this spring it has caught a lot of fish. I usually throw creature style baits but using a swim bait....pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@willtrax71]

I absolutely love this kit it’s everything you could possibly need to catch huge slow moving Bass BUT it’s 75 bucks albeit an amazing kit I’ll have to try to just piece some stuff a little at a time. I like the storage box also. Semper Fidelis

[@joebee1459]

Just a tip/suggestion, I just bend the wire just enough that the weight doesn't fall off. Way easier to switch weights when you don't have to bend out a 180° bend and comes through cover without snagging grass.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I've never fished a Tokyo rig much because of how thick the hydrilla is in my local fisheries. But now that the wife has contracted a serious case of bassinitis ( Careful! It's highly contagious!) and we're taking trips to a bunch of different lakes I'd love to give it a serious try. We'll be headed to Pickwick and Guntersville here soon. She just caught her first topwater and has never caught a spot or a smallie, so we have a lot of boxes to tick. I can't wait!

[@Boethius411]

Aww man, if she gets hold of one of those big pickwick smallies you may never get to go to work again. 😂😂👊🏻👊🏻 full of spots too bad some giants even. Good luck

[@johnnygoode-il1zl]

Great video dude

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

Great video Mikey ❤

[@robertrobinson4778]

Rig it with 2 weights and a bead in between the weights….gives a little clicking noise

[@ADVENTURESOFBZ]

Im headed to central Florida tomorrow, got my hotel room already. A three day holiday weekend of nothing but lip rippin on lake istokpoga🤘🤘🤘. Gonna try Tokyo rigs definitely!!!

[@Boethius411]

Nothing replaces a Texas rig in the right circumstances… but the Tokyo rig is a cool deal. I’ve never thought to swim it. I have to try that. Putting the weight nose down for hard bottom areas is a super cool tip bro. Love it.

[@JS-oy6nn]

Been wearing them out with a Tokyo rig in may. Pitboss, palmetto bug, and D-Bomb. Jackhammer has definitely been pulling it’s weight also.😊

[@brianprice7645]

Like some of the guys are saying put 2 smaller weights on back to back goes through weeds better and makes a little noise, also only bend the wire enough to hold the weights on it collects less grass that way

[@slimbidious]

I literally just came on KZbin to watch some videos about Tokyo Rigging. I decided it's a technique I wanna try this summer.

[@adamh3102]

Love the Tokyo rig! I switched to using an egg sinker as it’s round on both ends and goes in and out of cover a bit better.

[@mikeybalzz]

bro that's a great idea!

[@hunterh1033]

@@mikeybalzz The other option is you use 2 weights. I don't throw the tokyo rig, have some but never use them, will after this! But, my thought is you get that egg shape, and also get a little bit of clatter between the weights creating a bit of noise. Throw on two 1/8 oz weights opposite directions to create that egg shape instead of a single 1/4 oz or so on... Might be something worth trying!

[@NormNewsome-qh6zs]

I'd never heard of the Tokyo rig but definitely get some and try it. We killed the smallmouth a couple days ago. Around 75 or so. A great day on the water for sure

[@chaddorma2336]

Awesome Vid! 👊🏻

[@richdowdy4626]

I always put a clear glass bead at the cupped end of the bullet weight. It makes it a little more snagless and gives it a little more sound.

[@Hoosier60]

Very similar to the Jika rig, but your weight is a little further away from the hook. Love the Jika rig, but will definitely have to give this Tokyo rig a try! Alternative approaches are always a good thing.

[@256bassfishing]

I add a glass bead to my Tokyo Rig when I want to add a bit more sound especially in stained and muddy waters. Also, if you rig the weight like you had it initially for hard bottom, the glass bead also aids the weight in going over those rocks better while again adding more sound. You can also go with a plastic bead if you want a more muted sound than glass. Another thing I do is if I want the weight to be in a fixed position, especially when punching, I'll actually bend the wire right at the head of the weight. This i found helps collapse the weight against the body of the plastic as it's falling, making it slightly more compact, and prevents the wire on the end from picking up any grass. Speaking of Texas Rigs, what is your thought on free rigging? Using a tear drop weight instead of a bullet weight. I've had some good results with that on Pickwick on shell beds.

[@Oldbasshole]

Not a ton of ponds near me I’d be able to throw that rig in but it is an awesome set up .

[@ronjelvik2450]

I've kinda been playing around with the Tokyo rig since the beginning of last season and yes, swimming it with a Craw style bait is a naughty Lil trick to using it I totally agree with you about that! What I like doing with it if I'm using it for punching, is instead of using just 1 weight, is use 2 weights and use them point down for the bottom one and point up for the top one, so the weights are butt to butt. And use a smaller weigh size for both of them that would equal out for the size of using just 1. And for dragging the bottom I prefer to use a long bullet capsule shape weight for that, and my preferred bait is either a craw or the Bandito Bug. But really liked this video buddy! Keep up the awesome content bro! Till next comment... -Tight lines 🎣 MikeyBallz

[@yaoundehoward7744]

I flip with it near structure 1/4 or 3/8 craw bodies and catch bigs...used at Sam rayburn last year got a giant

[@robertsevere774]

Been cracking them last couple of weeks w a true bass 5" on that rig!!!

[@mikeybalzz]

that right there is the sneak style tokyo rig!

[@robertclevenger2079]

I put a plastic bead in between two 1/4 ounce weights w/ one facing up and the other facing down. Caught some good ones hoping it one bottom with that bead clacking between between the weights in dirty water.

[@jimwarden9617]

Hey Bog! Just what I need… More fishin’ stuff…lol

[@HookLife]

Super versatile terminal for the angler who can’t take a ton of tackle as well. I’m thinking dude on a kayak. Can leave the wobble heads and flipping jigs at home. Just bring the Tokyo and different plastics. Swim or deep, or quick change and flip heavy cover. Nice one. Stay Fishy Homie! 🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@charliealvarez4986]

Modern pro! Modified drift rig/float. New generation fisherman, both old & new world tech.

[@mikeantes9597]

Thanks Mikey but i will keep putting a split ring on my traditional texas rigs.

[@bluegill2030]

I use the Mumbo Jumbo Wacky Chicken Wikin T-bone Texas Carolina Weedless Rig myself, they love it so much I been showing this setup to everyone and the hookup ratios are insane!!!!! 😊😂

[@mikeybalzz]

🤣

[@raytubach8988]

Excellent…

[@burniehaney4770]

No matter how you rig the bullet sinker nose down or nose up, the weight will always lead the entire rig to the bottom. So when pitching into thicker grass mats, you get better penetration with the nose cone down. But either way for sure another presentation to add to your arsenal.

[@notsogood6249]

I like to add a skirt to my rig, so when I stop dragging it. It gives it a little flare to it. Like any new mortification to your rig...it may work some of the time, but not all the time.

[@rogerglasco5941]

What about sandy bottoms with lily pads?

[@bassmedic]

you could also double up with smaller weights and place a glass bead in between the two weights.

[@timappleton2962]

That’s the way to do it , 2 weights , comes in and out of cover better w the slimmer weight profile and they clack together for noise

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Dennis thanks for the tip good idea with the bead . I think that will attract the bass more help them hone in on your bait better. Hey Dennis that's one of the things I like about reading the comments you get more tips . Have a great fishing season this year and God bless you and your family.

[@SoSaysYou]

For a predatory fish like bass im always asbolitely blown away by how often we catch them close to the bottom as opposed to suspended. I suppose the younger/smaller ones tend to be suspended more often.

[@briandibble2234]

I hate Texas rigging cause I always have trouble feeling the bite .... Can a fish a tube this way?... You're thoughts

[@pennysgarage]

I like the Tokyo rig because you can flip AND punch with the same exact setup, 1/2oz or 3/4oz max will do both very nicely except in the thickest stuff. Perfect for brush hogs 👌 Also you can make your own with a swivel and a hook. Amazon has just the weight rods available for cheap and they come with a swivel on them already. Lets you use ANY hook you want 👌

[@bamadondon0495]

I have found myself throwing the Tokyo rig more because of everything you just said. I can flip and punch with it.. or I can drag it down shell beds or road beds. I think I use it more than I do a traditional jig now in most places where I used to put a jig. Now granted a Tokyo rig is really hard to skip so if I'm skipping doc's I'm going to go back to a jig. But brush piles, and any kind of bushes or lily pads etc that's not extremely thick like you said the Tokyo rigs perfect!!

[@WILDBILLSOUTDOORS]

@@bamadondon0495 One thing I noticed when the tokyo rig first came out, I've never broken one off in brush, anytime I do hang up, with that weight hanging below the hook all I have to do is get over it and shake it and the weight shakes it loose. Another thing I noticed was that probably 99% of the fish I caught on it were hooked top dead center lol!

[@Amso4]

I use the wire from a paper-clip to hang the weight from the ring to make my own. I have also used thin leader wire for longer lenghts from weight to bait for deeper grass and cover.

[@pennysgarage]

@@Amso4 Nice. I've tried heavy leader line with a split ring tied below the weight but really that's just a heavy dropshot setup. I like the paperclip idea. Something cheap and sacrificial would be much cheaper to make 👌

[@bill-qv3er]

Rod, Line ??

[@TheRecon1a]

I wish the wire form was about 1.5" longer. I like for it to float higher like a drop shot.

[@roberts.2413]

I've seen new ones by VMC with the longer wire attached.

[@k9er233]

I make them from stainless steel spinnerbait or trolling rig type wire.( around .035 - .041 or so) Just bend an eye in with a round-nose plier. I have found that no swivel is really needed on the top end of the weight wire. I rig it to the hook of my choice with a small stainless split-ring, add the wire eye just formed to the split ring, and a small swivel to the ring, to the line or leader. I have fished the Tokyo with the original swivel-topped wire, and with my shop made no top-swivel wire rig, and have found absolutely no difference between the two but your mileage may vary. I make them with around 3.5" to 5" long wires, and put a light bend in the wire just below the weight (or dual bullet/bead, egg, or other) leaving a tail of wire about 1' to 1.5" below the weight. It helps the rig bounce over rocks and branches on the bottom better. Also, if the weight does get caught between sharp rocks (I have a lot of sharp-edged and jumbled shale in my home waters), the weight can straighten the wire enough to slip off the wire with a steady pull, so you do not lose your whole rig. It has the advantage of being able to slide the weight off and change it as conditions change or depths vary. I got the idea of rigging them this way and slightly longer from seeing "bottom bouncing" rigs on Ebay that use a similar design to the Tokyo, but just much longer with the weight around the midpoint of the wire. They are used in trolling or drifting for Walleye and Catfish to keep a bait or lure up off the bottom. The design with the wire extending well below the weighted center tends to run pretty snagless, and when the wire drags or bounces over rocks and wood on the bottom, it gives the bait that runs behind it extra action as well. From what I have heard, they really get the job done on the Walleye and cats. I don't have Walleye in my area, but It seemed like a good idea to try for certain conditions for Bass, and the mid length "mini bottom bouncer/home-brew rigs have been working for me when other methods have not, especially when the waters are heavy in grasses and snags, and you want to run a bit higher off the bottom. I have adapted it for use in bottom bouncing for Steelhead in rivers using hollow pencil lead on a finer wire, which really works to avoid snags in the rocky bottom. Hope this helps someone. Tight lines.

[@retflo2583]

kool

[@jamesbentley9356]

What do see as an advantage over just a short leader drop shot? Anybody.

[@mikeybalzz]

They're very comparable I would say the main benefits are ease of setup and durability I feel like it's a lot easier to set this up with 15 to 20 lb fluorocarbon then a drop shot but that's just my opinion.

[@allen4758]

I'm just genuinely curious,, what is the use of fingerless gloves for fishing ?

[@richardreynolds3060]

#1 sun protection for your hands #2 fish handling, keeps you from getting spiked

[@allen4758]

@@richardreynolds3060 cool.

[@danluther1741]

Been Texas riggin' since the SEVENTIES! The day I stop is the day I die!!! (Or quit Bass fishin!)

[@MAB1907]

Lol 😂 just spend money 💴 !!! It’s always a new super bait !!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@holdengamble]

Please tell me you haven’t sold out to just doing ads for these companies. I’ve learned so much from you. I miss your in depth; nuanced videos. I’m sure you’re busy with the new boat and work. We miss bogs and hogs

[@mikeybalzz]

Not happening but I do like the kit concept so I thought it would be a cool deal. stay tuned for next week we took spacebalzz out before the MLF on Guntersville and absolutely smoked them. Bog was pleased 😉

[@holdengamble]

@@mikeybalzz you’re the realest dude I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Most wouldn’t even respond to what I said. I’m proud of you man and want all the good things coming your way. You’re the best stick on KZbin in my opinion. All love

[@mikeybalzz]

@@holdengamble I appreciate that man I've always tried to keep the channel as my own little Pet Project and I don't want anything to corrupt that so I'm glad when people call me out and are critical it keeps me focused 👊

[@toph2o676]

I'll quit using a Texas rig when it stops catching fish

[@Adrian-tx4hn]

First?!