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Up-and-coming pro bass angler Easton Fothergill shares his personal approach to targeting largemouth bass on offshore structures with the Neko rig. Using his electronics with a combination of mapping, side imaging, and 2D sonar, Fothergill locates high-percentage areas where bass are likely to be schooled up. He explains the makeup of the ideal spot for schooling summertime largemouth and methodically picks them apart with this proven finesse setup.
FEATURED PRODUCT (retail links)
- PLASTIC – Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic KVD Finesse Worm: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- HOOK – Neko Hook – size 1: Worm & Neko Hooks at Tackle Warehouse
- WEIGHT – Nail Weight, 3/32-ounce: Buy Neko Rig Gear at Bass Pro Shops
- ROD – Lew’s Custom Lite, 7′ Medium Light: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Lew’s Custom Lite Spinning Reel CL300: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE (braided mainline) – Strike King Tour Grade Yellow, 8-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LINE (fluorocarbon leader) – Strike King Tour Grade, 12-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
WHY THE NEKO RIG WORKS EVERYWHERE
The Neko rig is one of Fothergill’s go-to baits, and he explains why it’s a must-have in every angler’s tackle box. The rig’s versatility allows it to be fished in various environments, from skipping under docks to dragging through deep grass beds. Fothergill’s experiences across many different lakes has shown him that the Neko rig consistently attracts bites, making it an essential tool for bass fishing anywhere in the country.
PERFECTING YOUR SETUP
Fothergill breaks down his preferred gear setup for the Neko rig, using a 7-foot medium-light rod paired with a 300-size spinning reel. His choice of an 8-pound braid with a 12-pound leader provides the perfect balance of sensitivity and strength, especially when fishing around rocks.
READING ELECTRONICS TO LOCATE BASS
A crucial part of Fothergill’s strategy is using electronics to locate areas where bass may be schooled up. He demonstrates how to analyze side-imaging, 2D sonar, and mapping to pinpoint the most productive locations. By identifying things like the transition zones between grass and rock, he can efficiently target areas where bass are likely to be holding.
ELECTRONICS & BOAT SETUP
FISH FINDERS
- CONSOLE – Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ G3 Fish Finder/GPS Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- CONSOLE – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 106sv: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BOW – Humminbird APEX 13 MEGA SI+ Fishfinder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BOW – Garmin GPSMAP 8616 16″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- LIVE SONAR – Garmin LVS34 Live Scope: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- MAPPING – Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card (Great Lakes): Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Humminbird
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- SHALLOW WATER ANCHORS – Minn Kota Raptor, 8′: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- BOAT – 2024 Nitro Z20: Check out at Nitro
- MOTOR – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
- TRUCK – Toyota Tundra: Check out at Toyota
