This time, we would like to introduce how Lake Biwa guide Yuzo Ishida uses the Neko Rig.

Yuzo Ishida is a fishing guide mainly based on Lake Biwa, one of Japan’s most famous bass fishing fields. This report comes from the eastern side of the northern area of Lake Biwa after a typhoon.

After the typhoon, the lake had higher water and muddy conditions.

In the morning, strong wind made the fishing very difficult, and there were almost no bites. However, when the wind calmed down, bass began to move out from structure.

That was when Ishida caught this fish with a Boreas AnoStraight 7" on a Neko Rig.

The setup was:

Lure: Boreas AnoStraight 7"
https://flashpointonlineshop.com/products/anostraight-7

Rig: Neko Rig
Sinker: 3.5g
Color: Red Gill

According to Ishida, the AnoStraight 7" has enough body weight, which makes it easier to handle even in strong wind. Casting, line control, bottom contact, and the whole presentation become easier compared with lighter soft baits.

I also asked Ishida how he uses the Neko Rig in different areas of Lake Biwa.

In the southern area of Lake Biwa, he mainly uses the Neko Rig around weed areas.

In early spring, the weeds are still short and sparse. During that period, he often uses a jig head because it is easier to feel the weeds.

However, later in the season, weed growth becomes taller and thicker, including ebi-mo weed. When the weeds become heavier, the Neko Rig becomes more useful because it slips through vegetation more easily than many other rigs.

In the northern area of Lake Biwa, Ishida uses the Neko Rig throughout the year.

The northern area has many different types of structure, including reefs, water intake towers, rock areas, weed areas, and offshore structure.

The reason he uses the Neko Rig so often in the north is simple.

The northern area of Lake Biwa has many snaggy places and deeper water.

Because the Neko Rig has the weight inserted into the bait, it can reach the bottom quickly, even in deep water. At the same time, it helps reduce snags compared with many other bottom rigs.

For Lake Biwa, the Neko Rig is not just a finesse rig.

It is a very practical tool for fishing deep, clear, rocky, weedy, and structured areas.

This is one of the reasons why the Neko Rig remains such an important technique for Japanese bass anglers.

Guide: Yuzo Ishida
Instagram: @yuzo_ishida
Field: Lake Biwa, Japan
Lure: Boreas AnoStraight 7"
Rig: Neko Rig
Sinker: 3.5g
Color: Red Gill

This is a real Lake Biwa Neko Rig technique from Japan.