The Most Common Misconception About Catching Suspended Bass

[@escrtn84]

From what I've read.. If the worm is parallel with the hook tip, the worm will flop over and interrupt the hook set. According to other pros I've heard talk about wacky/neko rigs. Rigging it with the hook perpendicular fixes that problem.

[@ryanmanners9174]

“We’re going to be uploading three videos a week for now on”. Haven’t got that hype in a while lol. Keep up the great work🔥👍

[@FishtheMoment]

Thanks man!

[@johnsonc8]

So glad to hear this too. Was worried he was checking out.

[@ntj030885]

Love these shorter videos. The long ones are hard to stay with as I don’t have much time. At the same time I appreciate all of them.

[@jwcoop27]

Great info and video Jonny!!

[@greenpighunter6930]

Excellent. Congratulations on the Denali sponsorship.

[@derrickhouse7063]

You absolutely cannot deny the effectiveness of forward-facing sonar. Great video!

[@travisbruno1988]

Definitely excited for 3 vids a week. Thanks for this awesome technique for suspending bass im definitely gonna try this.

[@jkeverline1]

I’ve fished a weighted wacky worm for well over a decade. It’s a highly effective technique especially around timber. My biggest bass to date on this rig is a 7.1 Largemouth. I use 20Lb or 30 Lb braided line with a 12Lb fluorocarbon leader. I like the discontinued Z-Nail worm with a Gamakatsu wide gap finesse hook. I get better hook sets by reeling into the fish instead of a hard hook set. Nobody was fishing this yeas ago but now it’s out.

[@High-techRedneckFishing]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Here's my Neko rig setup. Seagar smack down braid 15lb. FC sniper 10lb Floro leader. Hooks I use Owner sniper finesse 2/0. I rig my hook pointing toward the tail. I use a fly tying tool to attach the braid and Floro together. I've never had knot failure. I use a slip knot using the fly tying tool. Trim the titanium weed guard down. Fold the two guards down to the hook point. Trim about 1/16" from hook point. It's still weedless, but hook ups are increase.

[@mikecraig9007]

I watch a few "regular" videos and have watched yours for years. Frankly, my interest in bass-fishing has waned a bit, lately. As I've watched your more recent vids, I realized that you have inspired me to re-think my position on that. I just introduced you to three of my bass-buds and they can't imagine that they are just now making the discovery. Thanks for all the knowledge you push-out, Johnnie.

[@bkelley4443]

I've been watching for years and have learned to better use my electronics thanks to your videos. Also, your editing, camera and audio quality have come a long way! Thanks for the video!

[@ramsteingolfer]

Learn something new every video. That’s what I like! Thanks

[@brandonsellers7843]

Johnny love your videos but the longer ones I can’t watch because of time. Love the 12 min and under videos and always appreciate your expertise

[@skunk12]

Adjust the playspeed to 1.5X or higher as your ears adjust.

[@Andysfishing]

Great investigations and explanation. Love your content, although it's not really how we fish here. Try this: Extend the weed guards past the worm, keeping it parallel to the bait.

[@PKClark-qw5oq]

Very excited to see you getting back to more videos. Really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.

[@troyreynolds7943]

Great video very informative....thank you I throw the neko a lot on 8# and 12# floro on spinning....I have caught some really good bass and even a couple channel cat over 6lbs....

[@bradwehrle7486]

Great to hear about the 3 videos per week!

[@Hellomoderators]

Check out the Hayabusa Weedless Wacky hooks. The have a flouro keeper so you can kind of Texas rig them in the same spot you’d put the hook for a neko rig.

[@mikegardiner3934]

awesome technique and tip Jonny!!!

[@stevengregory9157]

I use 2 o-rings and cross them over one another to form an X at the intersection and that allows you to turn your hook perpendicular to the worm. I get better hook up and have limited issues.

[@nelsonchiro]

Brilliant! Great to see that you got out on the water!

[@trapin68]

Thanks for the discount code Jonny. The shipping rate was a little shocking but I still saved about $20 in the end. Although I bought trolling rods for Walleye fishing. LOL!!! Weirdly enough my other Walleye rods (for vertical jigging) are Denali Myraid's. So now all my Walleye rods are Denali.

[@clarynick]

Good stuff man!!! I ended up using a ned rig the other day and it worked!!!

[@jtchapman75]

Great video, and wonderful advice. Try getting about a quarter inch of worm skin under your hook as that will keep it from rotating on the O-ring.

[@nelsonchiro]

Watching and hearing some of the pros in the MLF tournament, I feel that they need to try this!

[@davegodin9202]

Jonny loved the video - great job

[@chrisfoley3320]

Thats why blade baits work so well,they follow it down to the bottom and bite it on the first hop. Sometimes they will even pick up a blade bait laying on the bottom. It always baffled me that suspended bass feed on the bottom but i think its because dying shad fall to the bottom and they feed on them.

[@robpatterson2441]

Another great video, Jonny! Thanks for sharing these great tips from your experiences! You might want to try the "Chicken Rig" instead of a hook with a weed guard.

[@DuongVu-ri4mo]

Love the content from the Channel, thanks Jonny

[@mmacionk2]

Neko rig is by far my favorite rig for bass

[@josephabanilla3678]

As always another good information, thanks Johnny

[@mrkmkr99]

I wonder if the float to dead stick "action" is just more natural or appealing this time of year. There are so many ways to impart action. I sometimes wonder if all that variety makes us feel obligated to do something. I took a friend out fishing last year. He cast out a bit and just soaked a jig. I was hopping, skipping, stroking...basically all the "ings"...nothing. He caught 2 fish in the time it took me to aggravate my tennis elbow! What I took away from that day is the ancient adage, sometimes less is more. Thanks for the video! (Look forward to using the app this year.)

[@sfloresfore]

Great information, thanks Jonny enjoyed your presentation technique, looking forward to trying this. Looking forward to future videos 👍. S.flores Chino,Ca.

[@funkymojo111]

Very interesting Johnny. Was going to bail out of this vid when you started talking about livescope-side imaging and thought, "Ok, doesn't really apply to me as a bank fisherman. " Then you began discussing the Neko setup which kept my interest. I have never caught a fish using that technique in the last 2 years since I started trying it; didn't like the cost of those hooks. I need to find a better hook.

[@ricksonora6656]

I’m looking for snag-free setups. New Melones is loaded with submerged trees and downed branches. Dragging hard baits horizontally toward the bank is too costly.

[@Natureboy1607]

You are too good Johnny 👍 Great video !

[@craigolio1]

I watch a lot of your videos, but this one seemed really genuine. You learned a technique that worked - You could have just kept that to yourself, but instead you shared it with all of us! You also sounded genuinely happy (some of your videos, you sound a little intense!) So, while I have probably watched about 30 of your videos, this one earned the subscribe! Thanks for the tip! As a person that is new to fishing, with very few 'good' rods, what would you list as the top two or three rods to buy from Denali? Kinda looking for three 'multi-purpose' ones, and looking forward to using the discount code. Congrats on the new sponsor!

[@FishtheMoment]

Here are a 2 very versatile rods that cover a lot of different techniques (1 Casting and 1 Spinning) Kovert Winn 7' 2" Med Hvy Worm and Jig www.denalirods.com/kovert610medspinning-1-1-1-1-2-1.aspx Lithium Pro 7' 4" Med Hvy Spinning www.denalirods.com/lithiumpro74medhvyspinning.aspx I would also recommend this rod for crankbaits/jerkbaits Kovert Winn 6' 10" Med Crankbait www.denalirods.com/kovert610medspinning-1-1-2-1-1.aspx Use the Code FTM2022 for 30% off

[@craigolio1]

@@FishtheMoment Thanks - I just ordered all three of them. Now I need to figure out what sort of reels to put on them!

[@FishtheMoment]

@@craigolio1 Thanks for the support! I personally use $50 abu garcia Max Z reels from Academy Sports or Walmart to save money. They work well for me, but they're definitely not top of the line.

[@burdettehoeppner1062]

Another great video. Great idea using neko rig im looking forward to tring it.

[@markhogquist2000]

I catch a lot of suspended smallies on a Neko rig, or a wacky rigged finesse worm such as the Jackall Flick Shake. Sometimes they pick it up on the drop, and sometimes they wait until it's on the bottom. Been doing this for quite a while now.

[@umi415]

Thank you, great info Jony as always

[@joshuagibson2520]

Can't wait to get the YAK back out! About another month or so, I'd say.

[@lucashawks2160]

I just rig the neko wacky style, without the o-ring. Yes you'll go through more plastics, but better hook ups and a better presentation (IMO).

[@jamesspurlock5136]

Try the VMC crossover rings. Puts a little bit of separation from the bait and drastically improves hook up

[@FishtheMoment]

I'll give them a try! Thanks for the tip

[@randycreason3399]

I like the weed less wacky hooks that use heavy flouro as opposed to wire. Also you will wanna have the hook running across the bait instead of inline it will still wrap up in the worm but alot less using a slightly bigger hook can help to.

[@FishtheMoment]

I picked some of the fluoro weed guard hooks yesterday. Hopefully that will solve my problem. I lost a 7-8 pounder at the boat and the metal weed guard was buried in the worm.

[@Sradabaugh]

Yep my favorite way to rig a stick bait is to either make an x with the o-rings or use the o rings designed to shortcut that and then fish the hook perpendicular to the worm. Never any issues with hookups and I use weedless all the time in our weedy lakes up here. Usually stuck solidly in the roof of their mouths.

[@dukewinch5410]

I fish weedless hooks on wacky rigs for most of my fishing. Love throwing them into the trash, the thicker the better. You have to use a larger hook to get good sets when weedless. I like Eagle Claw Weedless in a 5/0 size.

[@rudyfisher7660]

Try binding the tip of the weed guard in bath yesterday night current around into a hook that way it still doesn't uses it it works as a weed guard but it does not get hooked on the bait or the hook

[@FishtheMoment]

Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try.

[@xxcaseyxxc]

The VMC Ike approved weedless neko hook is the best I've found so far. Don't have the issues you mentioned with it.

[@FishtheMoment]

The Standard hook with no weed guard is my normal go-to hook so I'll be sure to give the weedless version a try

[@stevestone9648]

I like to use the weedless hooks that the wire makes a loop and hooks over the inside of the point of the hook for wacky style fishing

[@ZZ430T56]

Ty. I was surprised how fast the bait fell with that light weight. What if there is a thermocline at like 15'?

[@jimwrigley3304]

Done this quite a bit with spotted bass that suspend under docks and wire rope anchor lines. Livescope shows them go to the bottom and eat the bait but never on the way down. Letting my cat out of the bag.

[@numberonenole4590]

Great info !!!

[@nathanWV94]

Instead of a new hook, try the VMC crossover ring instead of the o-ring. I find it holds the hook in position than the o-ring and may help reduce some of the issues you were having.

[@ricksonora6656]

Thanks for the lesson in bass behavior. Perfect timing. I just gave up on hard baits and their grappling hooks. Using a split shot 2’ up the line to keep hard baits from snagging on the bottom wasn’t so bright after all. New Melones’s submerged oak trees and branches still snagged my money.

[@emoutdoors5661]

I always run my Neko rig with a wacky style hook ran sideways, so it’s just like a wacky rig but with the weight in the big end of the worm.

[@marcmot2284]

sorry if I missed it, when you were explaining when the other anglers weren’t getting bit with their moving and slow baits and you were with the neko, Would you say it was the combination of your livescope technique and something specifically of the neko presentation triggering the fish? Or would you’ve been just as successful with another slow bait in combination with livescop, the key being deadsticking the lure in front of a suspended fish that had just followed it down

[@FishtheMoment]

I think it was the combination of dead sticking the bait on the bottom and having a bait that feel at just the right speed to keep them interested. If the bait fell too fast or too slow, they wouldn't follow it all the way to the bottom. You may have been able to catch them on a light shaky head or drop shot, but the Neko rig is much easier to modify quickly to get the correct fall rate. You can just keep cutting down the nail weight until they react the right way.

[@phatpakbaits]

The hookup ratio is hit or miss on these weedless wacky VMC hooks . We throw our 5” Phat Bat wacky style and have about a 70% hookup ratio on these Vmc wacky weedless hooks, but like you said, if you don’t use the weed guard they get caught constantly .

[@Madisonrvr]

Try texas rigging right in the middle of the bait. Still fairly snag proof and has that wacky action.

[@JustMe3104]

I'm not a fan of the rubber bands. I tried it and feel it caused me to lose fish with a weed less hook. I just hook it through the side. I think I go through more bait but it's worth it to me to keep from losing fish.

[@tasmoua]

Hover strolling technique is pretty deadly too for those suspended bass

[@LunkerQuest67]

Another great video!

[@kevinjones4547]

You need to rig the hook point in towards the bait. As you drag the rig. The hook approaches objects with the point away thus doubling the weedlessness. Should also minimize the weed guard stabbing the worm. Wired to fish had a good video on rigging and snagging when hook point rigged down towards weight.

[@ricksonora6656]

Thanks for sharing that. New Melones has tons of submerged trees and branches. Snags get discouraging, especially bank fishing.

[@kevinjones4547]

👍🏼

[@joegrande4848]

The statement you've made holds true. That's why football head jigs are so affective with bites. Same with drop shot as the bait falls it gets fish attention. Once it hits bottom an sits 1 to 2 seconds doing a gently twitch at the bottom the fish nails it because fish can secure bait. That's why fish trap bait in small pockets channels to pin their food securing bait to eat

[@tedurbanik8074]

Try putting 2 o rings on but cross cross them this will face the hook across the baits. I know Randy doesn’t like them but it might work in your application

[@FishtheMoment]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kevinwill8542]

Great video

[@andrewstewart8192]

Nice! Do you think the slow fall rate is what helped them to follow the bait all the way down?

[@FishtheMoment]

Yeah, I had to change the weight size 3-4 times to get it to fall just slow enough that they would stick with it all the way to the bottom, but not too slow that they could get a really good look at it.

[@johnshear2373]

Try the Frenzy Wacky Ring on your Neko. Since I started using them, a couple other brands have copied it.

[@fishindoc6025]

Love your videos. Do you have one that describes your livescope setup? As in the settings but also are you using a separate pole to mount the transducer?

[@FishtheMoment]

Here's a video on my setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmjSZ3-qg7emm6M I'll be making a livescope settings video soon

[@fishindoc6025]

@@FishtheMoment awesome. Will look forward to it..thanks so much.

[@acep4927]

I feel like you would get better hookup with the hook point facing towards the tail of the bait, with the hookup point towards the wieght it’s going to be facing the bottom of the lake when fished on the bottom

[@joegrande4848]

Also, bouncing drop shot off the bottom letting it sit for 1 or 2 seconds bounce again to get fish to commit but don't need to bounce much. Gently tap butt of rod to get fish to affectively bite

[@masoncooper8680]

young man ... i can suggest a way to fix your hook set / weed guard problem !!! i'm 70 and been fishing Table Rock forever in the trees. Heres how ::: snip off a piece of 1/4 vinyl tubing or shrink tube (you'll have to shrink it on a pencil. Use this in place of your "O" ring.... then skin hook your hook under the tubing and into the worm a bit. this will "steady" the hook on hook set. This is a wacky worm technique i developed to save worms and increase hook up to almost 100%

[@danham3344]

Wow! Really cool technique! My only question, do you see this technique as being water visibility sensitive? Would you not do it in certain water clarities? Really enjoyed seeing these vids again recently. A goal of 3 a week is super exciting. Can’t wait.

[@FishtheMoment]

I'm not sure about the water clarity. It was pretty clear on the lake I was fishing. I'm going to experiment in different water clarities and with different baits to see it I can replicate this behavior in other situations. Stay tuned!

[@danham3344]

Awesome. I'll try and do some experimenting of my own. 😀👍Thanks Jonny.

[@brandonrogers1950]

Try the g finesse straight shank

[@joemorris5944]

Put a bobber stop on your hook. Keeps your bait in place and it will move when you do your hook up

[@masoncooper8680]

sorry forgot to mention.... you can also switch off to really light shakey head...has similiar results

[@jasonmitchell8211]

Can you please divulge the settings for sonar to eliminate trees and highlight fish? I have a lowrance. Thank you.

[@FishtheMoment]

I'm making a video about it next Friday.

[@davidbaker1359]

Try to push your thumb between the wire guard and split the guard apart a little like you would on a weedless jig. That might help with the problem! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@FishtheMoment]

That may be the issue. I'll give it a try next time. Thanks for the idea!

[@Joelflowers513]

Here because of Randy🙌

[@jonathankim6755]

How about a weighted hook, rigged Texas style?

[@rickvann3489]

Always, Always , when fishing standing timber let a bait go to the bottom after trying other methods. Back in the day it was jigs and Gitzits.

[@MaineStreamFishing]

This is why live scope is good for teaching! Not really a fan of it in the tournament scene

[@FishtheMoment]

I agree with that. I'm trying to use it to learn bass behavior and then apply that to fishing without it.

[@briannordberg3184]

@@FishtheMoment yep. Two vids in a row using livescope to learn bass behavior. First slow sink or slow float on jerkbaits, now drawing suspended bass to bottom with a Neko. Good stuff. Thanks!

[@nickv255]

What's the difference between neko rig and let's say a 5 inch Texas rigged senko?

[@jameslee4895]

What are the vertical echoes 30 to 35 feet to the right of the trees being targeted? Are they bass? I see similar echoes on my Livescope, they are often still but also move. They don’t pay attention to my jerk bait very often but I often catch bass when they are present.

[@FishtheMoment]

I'm not sure exactly which image you're talking about, but in my case its mostly likely interference from my Mega 360. I run both 360 imaging and livescope on my boat and there's a little interference.

[@jameslee4895]

Thanks Jonny for the quick reply. Perhaps you can do, or already have, a video of what bass look like on Livescope 20 to 40 feet out. I love your videos - I’m a much better a angler since I started watching you 4 years ago.

[@FishtheMoment]

I can make that happen! Thanks for the continued support

[@rickalcala5268]

Turn the hook 90 degrees

[@PeregrineFirearms]

Less is def more! Short and to the instructional point is what most of us are looking for. Skip all the jiberish and fluff. Thanks!

[@IV-fad]

G-Finesse Cover Neko - that should solve your problems!

[@FishtheMoment]

I'll give it a try!

[@raymondbuckalew2049]

Turn hook other direction

[@coleallen8557]

Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Size 2

[@denverSkip]

Try flipping your hook over so it faces upward. This might alleviate the need for weedless.

[@dylanadams9264]

I just used your code and bought a rod.

[@FishtheMoment]

Thanks for the support, Dylan!

[@gotgills4815]

Why is your water temp in the mid 70s?

[@FishtheMoment]

I was on a power plant lake

[@welchfishing]

What editing software do you use?

[@FishtheMoment]

Adobe Premiere Pro

[@welchfishing]

@@FishtheMoment thanks man! Great stuff on the videos!

[@danielbergan5856]

See 03/G-Finesse Cover Neko 2/0 02/G-Finesse Cover Neko 1/0 Great Neko rig for cover

[@caseywebb5178]

Do you like fishing with other people or do you prefer to fish alone?

[@FishtheMoment]

I like fishing with other people, but most people don't like fishing with me because I spend 2/3 of my day driving the boat graphing haha

[@ricksonora6656]

When I fish alone, I prefer to fish by myself. 🎵

[@caseywebb5178]

@@FishtheMoment that's what makes you so great! You take time to master the water every trip... I'd fish with ya. Keep up the incredible work you're doing.

[@fishingangler4315]

I think your hook should be turned around so it faces the tail end.

[@FishtheMoment]

Its weird because I always rig it the other way around, but I kept missing fish so I turned it the other way and got a better hook up ratio. I'm not sure it was because they were trapping it on the bottom or what.

[@fishingangler4315]

@@FishtheMoment Do you run the hook through some part of the skin of the worm? If not, it would keep it from turning and moving around as much. I like to barely run the hook through the end of the hook channel that some worms have.

[@scottgeil2007]

What area do u live in? Or what's your home lake?

[@FishtheMoment]

I live in Northwest Arkansas near Beaver Lake, Grand Lake, and Table Rock

[@HookLife]

We use “fairy wands” to smash giant largemouth in Indiana

[@FishtheMoment]

Yeah I need to start using it more.

[@robertfrancola8887]

Try turning your hook around.

[@koyote5oh394]

Why not chicken rig it, still weedless and hook up is same as a texas rig.

[@tedurbanik8074]

Sorry Jonny crisscross. Spell check

[@mohsinehasni5508]

نتمنى الترجمة للفيديو

[@iraregister7589]

Chicken rig it