Tokyo rigging has a phenomenal hooking percentage, and the design is the best for penetrating deep and dense cover. Watch Al and James Lindner spend the day catching deepwater largemouth bass.
The Tokyo Rig is a versatile and effective bait presentation that can help you target fish in challenging fishing conditions. We will also explore the importance of setting up your map correctly to find fish in weed beds and the equipment needed for successful Tokyo Rig fishing.
Tokyo Rigging: A Game-Changer for Fishing in Weed Cover
The Tokyo Rig is a bait presentation that is designed to keep your bait suspended off the bottom, making it easier for fish to locate and strike. It consists of a weighted arm and a hook that is separated from the weight. The weight helps the bait to penetrate through the dense weed cover, while the hook is positioned to ensure a positive hookset when a fish bites.
The Tokyo Rig comes in different sizes, with the arm length ranging from two and a half inches to five inches. When bass are biting on the rig, the arm may get bent, but it can easily be straightened out for continued use. The weight on the Tokyo Rig is critical for getting the bait down through the weeds and also creates a rattling sound that attracts fish to the bait.
When fishing with the Tokyo Rig, it’s important to have the right equipment. A medium-heavy fast-action rod, such as the Legend Tournament 7’5″ rod, is ideal for this type of fishing. The rod is designed to handle the heavy cover and dense weed beds, allowing you to play the fish and reel them in successfully.
In addition to the right rod, using a heavy-duty line is crucial for Tokyo Rig fishing. A 30-40 pound braid, like the 131 braid, is recommended as it is thin yet strong enough to handle the weeds and shears them off when setting the hook. The line also enables you to reel the fish through the dense canopy of the weed bed.
Setting Up Your Map Correctly for Weed Bed Fishing
Finding fish in weed beds requires setting up your map correctly. By highlighting the desired depth, you can identify the edge of the deepest weeds. In this particular case, setting the depth highlight to 16 feet of water revealed the edge of the deepest weeds in the lake.
When zooming in on the map, you may notice high spots and edges within the weed flat. These spots can be key areas where fish are positioned within the weed bed. Rocks and other structures within the weed plants can also serve as attractive spots for bass.
Punching Holes and Shaking the Bait
When fishing with the Tokyo Rig in dense weed beds, it’s important to make short casts and let the bait go directly to the bottom. Once the bait reaches the bottom, give it a couple of shakes before picking it up and making the next cast. The strike zone in these weed beds is relatively small, so getting close to the fish is crucial for getting a bite.
The Tokyo Rig is a positive hooking bait, thanks to its design with a separate hook and weight. When a fish bites, they are biting directly into the hook, increasing the chances of a solid hookset. This is especially important when fishing in heavy cover like dense weed beds.
Tokyo Rigging as a Delivery System for Soft Plastics in Heavy Cover
The Tokyo Rig is considered one of the best delivery systems for soft plastics in heavy cover, particularly in dense weed beds. Its design allows the bait to penetrate through the weeds and reach the fish hiding below. The weight creates a rattling sound that attracts fish, while the separated hook ensures a positive hookset.
The Tokyo Rig is highly versatile and can be used with different types of hooks, such as the Extreme Wide Gap (EWG) hook. This allows anglers to adapt the rig to different fishing conditions and target species. Whether it’s a big worm hook or a heavy-duty flipping hook, the Tokyo Rig can handle it all.
