How to Damiki Rig Spring Bass with KVD

Out of all the spring bass tactics, Damiki rigging isn't the first to pop into the minds of most bass anglers. Kevin VanDam (KVD) changes that mindset in this innovation prespawn video by combining the power of forward-facing sonar with the erratic minnow-imitating action of a Damiki rig.
KVD locates staging prespawn bass pushing bait up to the surface in creek arms. Rather than casting blind, he makes precise casts to individual fish and triggers them into biting with a shad-imitating Damiki rig. MEGA Live reveals the precise distance and direction of the fish in real-time, allowing KVD to make accurate casts and presentation adjustments based on their response.
TACKLE
• SOFT JERKBAIT - Strike King 3X Baby Z-Too Soft Jerkbait, color - Blue Glimmer Pearl Belly : wired2.fish/StrikeKing3XBabyZ...
• JIG HEAD - Damiki Rig Jig Heads, 1/4-ounce, color - White: wired2.fish/DamikiRigJigHead
The Damiki rig is easy to see and track on live sonar and darts and dances like a jerkbait with the pop of a rod -- a proven fish-triggering action in the spring. For KVD, combing MEGA Live with MEGA 360 Imaging is the ultimate in situational awareness. He uses 360 Imaging to locate key structure and cover, then scans with MEGA Live to find fish.
KVD details his jig, plastic, and full rod setup for Damiki rigging. Simply adjust your head and line size based on the depth of water you're fishing.
FISH FINDERS
• LIVE SONAR - Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging: wired2.fish/HumminbirdMEGALive
• 360 SONAR - Humminbird MEGA 360: wired2.fish/HumminbirdMEGA360
• BOW GRAPHS - Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N: wired2.fish/HELIX12-MEGA-SI-G4N
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Ultrex: wired2.fish/MinnKotaUltrex
• MAPPING - Humminbird LakeMaster PLUS, Great Plains V1: wired2.fish/LakeMasterPlus
• Hydrowave H2 Kevin VanDam Electronic Feeding Stimulator: wired2.fish/HydrowaveH2-KVD
• SIDE GRAPH MOUNT - T-H Marine KVD Kong Electronics Mount: wired2.fish/TH-KongMount
• CENTER GRAPH MOUNT - T-H Marine Kong Wave Tamer: wired2.fish/TH-KongWaveTamer
ROD SETUP
• ROD - Lew's KVD IM8 Spinning Rod 7'2" Med Lt: wired2.fish/LewsKVD-IM8-Spin
• REEL - Lew's TK200 Spinning Reel: wired2.fish/LewsKVD-SpinReel
• LINE (braided mainline) - Bass Pro Shops XPS Hyper Braid 8 Fishing Line, 8-pound yellow: wired2.fish/XPS-HyperBraid8
• LINE (fluorocarbon leader) - Bass Pro Shops XPS KVD Signature Series 100% Fluorocarbon Fishing Line: wired2.fish/BPS-XPS-Fluoro
MISC. BOAT AND ACCESSORIES
• ENGINE - Mercury 250hp Pro XS FourStroke: wired2.fish/MercuryProXS
• ENGINE COVER - Mercury ProXS 200-250 4-Stroke Vented Motor Cover: wired2.fish/MercuryProXS-Cowl...
• TRUCK - 2022 Toyota Tundra: wired2.fish/ToyotaTundra2022
• T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator Prop Nut: wired2.fish/TH-GForcePropNut
• T-H Marine G-Force Trolling Motor Handle, color - Red: wired2.fish/TH-GForceTrollHandle
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Minn Kota Raptor Shallow Water Anchor, 10 ft: wired2.fish/MinnKotaRaptorTW
► SUBSCRIBE for more AWESOME FISHING TIPS: wired2.fish/YTSub
► SHOP WIRED2FISH GEAR HERE: www.wired2fishgear.com
FOLLOW US HERE AS WELL:
► www.wired2fish.com
► / wired2fish_official
► / wired2fish
► / wired2fish

[@tristanwhite8530]

Some of the coolest FFS footage ever produced, and it makes it even better that its the GOAT showing us how it's done!

[@metroplexbassaddicts]

Great video! Cool to see the GOAT catching em up with FFS! There's nobody better than KVD, he's always adapted to all the new technology and stayed at the top of the game better than anyone else! 🐐

[@edgarmoreno8229]

The Damiki rig catches fish!!!!! All you have to do is rig it with mega 360 and livescope and wam! It just catches them. 😎 It reminds me of when Mike iconelli was complaining about flogging while he had an MRI scanner hooked up to the boat. It's tough to watch these anymore. I watch them because it's kvd and he is the man but man, don't know when I'll be able to afford all that. If you don't want to get skunked and don't have 30 grand to spend on imaging, use live bait. Works every time.

[@kickerwormz3262]

Great video. It's crazy, we've been doing this in California for years. The deep canyon faces with a nice slope going to the bottom can be a challenge. I started doing this with a hand poured bullet head weight, eventually I went to something more appealing and more effective for myself and my customers. People underestimate the power of a 3" or yes, even a 2" minnow. I had a Silverside made just for myself and my friends. We usually use 4lb fluorocarbon and back reel when we need to. It makes your butt pucker when you get a fish, but the rewards and smiles make it all worth it in the end. I'd love to have all of the tech on my boat. I just have plain ol' Lowrance. lol

[@genemoorman3065]

I have an early Humminbird side imaging unit. Cant afford FFS but will give this a try on suspended fish and just count it down and stroll it along.

[@BasslivesmatterLLC]

Kvd having mega live &360 is equivalent to the cheat code in contra up up down down left right left right select start 😆 🤣 I'm sure the fish like damn bro I have no chance

[@rodcashman4793]

That's great tools to help fishing 🎣 I can see how that will help anyone with there fishing 🎣 thanks for sharing 👍

[@illecebris8709]

Electronics made angling scientific.. Wonderful!🐟

[@earniederboven5100]

great vide on on how to use these baits and electronics..thanks

[@Randy-gz8eu]

Awesome vid Kev , thx

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

Great tips video

[@king_rickey1878]

KVD on my home lake!!! Wow!!

[@slimquinn5692]

Great video. Thx

[@mattquinlan4629]

Great video. Love to have all this technology on the old tracker!!

[@johnbutler307]

Thanks very much for the info.

[@Wired2Fish]

You bet John!

[@LowBrowFishing]

I don't know what I would do if I had all those toys on the old Bass Buggy. I thought I was doing good when I put sidescan and down imaging, lol.

[@andrewwilborn4144]

Lol same. I feel like I wouldn’t know what I’m looking at.

[@lorithane2006]

It’s gotten ridiculous 😎

[@rdo075]

Wow great Video just ordered my Damiki rigs and checking out your line of rods now. Thanks

[@gregsmith3623]

Always liked your videos and keeping up with your tournaments but I don't get to fish as much as I would like, I bought the first 360 and got to use it twice then the transducer burnt up and humminbird told me it was to old and they didn't work on them anymore.i don't know if the other companies have the same policy's?

[@davidhenderson1738]

The GOAT!

[@pabl6489]

How about a few videos where the pros aren't using live sonar! For the ppl who can't afford that expensive stuff

[@edgarmoreno8229]

I don't think they'd know how anymore.

[@fish-n-gameanglersclub365]

Love the Damiki rig...keep one tied to a G Loomis IMX MagBass 6'6" Heavy baitcaster...great sensitivity for deep fishing.

[@A1K3NFISHING]

You would love throwing a damiki rig on spinning equipment because you can drop that rig right on a fishes head.

[@fish-n-gameanglersclub365]

@@A1K3NFISHING yea.. I only used them in Winter deep water haunts...never tried pitching at them on spinning gear...a must try! Maybe one of our upcoming videos I'll highlight that technique. 🎣😄👍🏾 Fi$h-N-Game!

[@TheRealMrSix]

@@fish-n-gameanglersclub365 damiki on a heavy rod and baitcaster? lmao just find another sport bud

[@fish-n-gameanglersclub365]

@Mr618 its obvious you don't know fishing rods too well. That heavy action G Loomis is feather light. Its meant for detecting deep water bites, very sensitive. And I use a Shimano Mg reel so its even lighter. I know what I'm doing li'l buddy, now run along and go play. 🎣🫡 Fi$h-N-Game 4LIFE!!

[@TheRealMrSix]

luckily for you i fish loomis and shimano almost exclusively, first off its MGL not MG reels. when they came out as lighter than the tried and true 200k and with MORE drag, i was instantly on TW ordering more! i think the 150MGL is the best reel under 289$ (chronarch MGL is 289$) in bass fishing bar none! i have a ton of metanium, scorpion and SLX mgl's but the Curado is a proven platform but even for Damiki Rigs, unless youre using MAYBEEEE a 7'2 Med Lt Expride A or B with a MGL 70 reel, and even then im not sure if it can throw something so small as im not sure many of us ever tried as Damiki rigs are Finesse Techniques!! I have around 12 NRX and NRX+ rods and the rest are literally all Expride, Zodias, And curados as shimano rods are the best in the business, especially after the zodias and curado revamps!! and the rod almost ALL OF US use in Loomis is hands down the G. Loomis NRX+, 7’3″ Medium 872S JWR with a stella or stradic FL reel, with 10 pound braided line, (i choose high vis power pro or suffix 832) with 8 pound Seaguar Gold Label leader or Sunline Leader.. NOBODY and i mean NOBODY is tying a damiki rig onto a Heavy power rod! i fish around 18 Tourny events a year here in the midwest (some as co angler and my local USA BASSIN events with a friend) and ive yet to see it but i promise if i see ya out on the water using a damiki on a heavy power with zero forward facing sonar or fishfinder thats actually worth a dang, ill be sure to educate you in person as well as thats what we all have to do in order to help others catch more fish!! just some people arent as blunt as i am to tell ya that youre not doing it right whatosever!! Damiki is usually a FFS/LS or at minimum 2d sonar technique of the bow of the boat (or kayak for those who cant get one) and you spot fish feeding! the bigger fish are usually on bottom of that school feeding so if you can get down under them, the piggies generally are hungry and can land some quality keepers, but without it, its a complete crap shoot! almost a MUST HAVE electronic for this super finesse style technique!! Youre welcome for the free education! reply if you need anymore there bud!

[@OhMyLarryFishing]

KVD? I think you meant G.O.A.T.

[@FoxXi3]

anyone seen A better ON SCREEN video showing the benefits of live sonar? THOSE SHOTS ARE INSANE

[@Rubo7]

Livescope shows a better pictures than hummingbird.

[@kennyg3192]

Also Kevin I have a St. Croix 66 tournament legend series it’s about eight years old I believe and it’s Jiggin worm should I get rid of the bride and by 7 foot or will my 66 work for me or is it the discretion of the fisherman because I don’t care what the discretion is I wanna know what works right together like I have a nice 13 fission $119 spinning rod with a Shimano Sahara I believe 3500 Hagan spinning reel they work great together and I don’t like spinning rods only for finesse and drop shot should I keep my 66 Saint Croix tournament legend Jiggin worm rod or should I go for seven footer Jiggin worm Rod

[@kennyg3192]

I buy a lot of your tour grade stuff, I have a HDS7 with a structural scan box because of the pandemic and the fact that I have bills do you know it’s hard for Maryland to fish bass because we can’t put gas motors in the water and to pay for electric motor and all the 6 V batteries for the price of one 6 V battery is the price of one 12 V, and to be able to make it through are reservoirs using Waze you need at least a 36 V transom electric motor with a 24 V front motor had at least a 75 pound thrust now it’s nice to be able to have autumn hummingbirds live scope active target but as pro fisherman‘s certain your biggest angle be trying to help the little man get something that is maybe not as sophisticated but enough to find a fish locate temperature locate images inside scan had a decent price so someone don’t have to so I bobber out the sun or the water when pro fisherman‘s get a new boat every year with the sponsors and what I see it’s easy for people to get a friend to come help them in the MLF and the bass pro it’s a big family like NASCAR you should stick together but you’re nothing without the people that buy all your products and I’m not talking about spending $50 for spring material I’m talking about my spring material alone ran me into $490 and that’s off of Carl’s club, I just think that all you big people like you Kevin Edwin Evers Andy Blukaint and other big influential people if you really want to starve and open up a bunch of things in the industry I know they’re selling regardless but you probably have about 100,000 fishermen that can’t afford it that they’re happy enough to keep a rod that’ll last them 2 to 3 years your videos are great your tips are great but unless you have the things to get out on the water to do I think we should open up a market place for people that love best that put out money for your channels that buy nothing but your stuff with your face on it Every street King Orm has KVD on it somehow someway and your spinner baits I think you should use like a thin aluminum instead of general plastics because they tend to burn up in milt that’s from bring them through the water so much even in a water plastic gets hot and melts I mean I make very good money for a plumber I’m a master plumber but I also got a $2100 mortgage payment a month and I don’t have to tell you about bills but if you could help any of us guys figure out ways to get nice equipment at a cheaper price send me a link man cause I would love it

[@derekwilliams9299]

What damiki jig head hook and what soft plastic was he using he didn't say

[@Wired2Fish]

Hi Derek, we have the full product specs in the video description. Thanks for watching.

[@NCshooter1213]

As nice as having live is I struggle to accept it for the big tourneys. At some point we MUST limit the pro anglers during tourneys. We as fans wanna see the best fisherman win not the one with best sponsors and the most electronics.

[@GteamOutdoors]

Live dose not always mean the fish will bite.

[@NCshooter1213]

@@GteamOutdoors true but noone can disagree with the fact that it makes a massive improvement to your chances. Takes sight fishing to a whole different level

[@andrewwilborn4144]

Exactly. You can literally sight fish no matter where the fish are. I’m okay with the pros using it but I think they should have some classics without it. The whole reason I watch bassmasters is to see what fishermen are doing and what I can do to improve. But if they are all using electronics like this that I can’t afford there’s no reason to watch it.

[@todd3737]

@@NCshooter1213 So I'm guessing you're also against motorized vehicles? 😉

[@NCshooter1213]

@@todd3737 of course!! We should all walk or ride horses!!!

[@Riddlemethisgaming]

Very cool vid..HEY HONEY ILL BE RIGHT BACK I GOTTA RUN TO BASS PRO REAL QUICK! 😆

[@N2theBlue1]

They won’t have any in stock lol

[@Riddlemethisgaming]

@@N2theBlue1 baby we still have 800 on the bass pro card..that means we only just need an 800$ loan

[@N2theBlue1]

@@Riddlemethisgaming they should be back ins rock by Christmas, only have to save $10 a month!

[@dominiconate5872]

Is this even fishing anymore?? With all that fish finder technology?

[@GteamOutdoors]

Still have to catch them

[@kylewright7882]

Gotta stop looking at it as cheating and more so as efficiency. Live sonar takes the guess work out of determining if that oval is actually a fish or not. Or in my case, I’m fishing from a kayak and don’t have the speed to dart across lake. It takes me an hour to cruise 1 circle around a 250acre lake. Livescope is just 1 more tool to help me from getting skunked on one of the highest pressured lakes in Southern California.

[@GteamOutdoors]

@@kylewright7882 exactly

[@SUBURBKYLE]

Just because aluminum bats exist doesn't mean the MLB permits their use. Live sonar should be the same.

[@kylewright7882]

Gotta stop looking at it as cheating and more so as efficiency. Live sonar takes the guess work out of determining if that oval is actually a fish and if it’s feeding, therefore saving you a lot of time. In my case, I’m fishing from a kayak and don’t have the speed to dart across lake. It takes me an hour to cruise 1 circle around a 250acre lake. Livescope is just 1 more tool to help me from getting skunked on one of the highest pressured lakes in Southern California.

[@bryand956]

Mega live sucks so hard compared to livescope.

[@jamesfarmer3885]

Mega live😂😂😂. H-bird looks horrible compared to live scope or active target.

[@Offthegridfishing]

He lost me when he started to show screens

[@ryanh8709]

All that technology is so lame

[@HunterThomasFishing]

Mega live looks horrible lol

[@MrMichaelDodd]

Thx for the video. The tech troubles me. Perhaps not this wave or even this species, but at some point it will negatively impact our fisheries. I see no guard rails. No one with the power has any incentive to make sure we advance wisely. This is not directed a KVD. Hate being a bummer and I hope I'm wrong.