How to Fish the Tokyo Rig for Spawning Bass

Last updated: 2024/02/17 at 6:36 AM

Afield Daily

Sight fishing spawning bass isn’t always an option due to depth, water clarity, and cover. Pro bass angler Luke Clausen combats these challenges using a floating creature paired with the Tokyo Rig delivery system. He shares a wealth of knowledge about spawning bass behavior and how to coax them into biting using accurate casts and this innovative tackle setup.

TACKLE USED (retail links)

TOKYO RIG – VMC Tokyo Rig HD Worm Hook, 3/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
PLASTIC – Z-Man Gremlin, color – Green Pumpkin: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Flippin Weights, 3/16-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
ROD – Phenix Feather Casting Rod, 7’1″ Heavy: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
REEL – Shimano Curado 200 M Reel, 8.5:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse
LINE – Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, 17-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops, Buy at Tackle Warehouse

BOAT SETUP

THE TOKYO RIG ADVANTAGE FOR SPAWNING BASS

The Tokyo Rig stands out when bed fishing bass. Its drop wire and weight design keep baits elevated off the bottom and in the face of bedding fish. Clausen contrasts this with traditional drop shot rigs, highlighting the Tokyo Rig’s ability to avoid tangles and present baits more naturally.

PLASTIC SELECTION FOR SPAWNING BASS

Clausen emphasizes the importance of bait choice for spawning bass. You can catch fishing using a range of soft bait profiles, but creature baits excel. They may appear more threatening to the nest, but whatever the reason, Clausen likes a buoyant creature bait with multiple appendages and some water-displacing bulk.

TOKYO RIG WEIGHT CONSIDERATIONS

Optimizing weight on the Tokyo Rig is crucial. Clausen favors going lighter when possible, with a 3/16 ounce ideal for keeping baits in the strike zone without compromising the natural presentation. This strategy proves incredibly potent for bass in shallow spawning conditions.

Clausen encourages observing fish reactions closely and adapting your lure and how to work it to the fish’s mood. This includes choosing the right Tokyo Rig for the job, experimenting with different plastics and colors, and working the bait to trigger the predatory instincts of bedding bass.

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Kobie Koenig

Kobie has been interning at Wired2fish for several years and they were eager to scoop him up full-time as soon as he graduated college. Fishing for his high school team and then Bemidji State, Kobie got a solid foundation in bass fishing tournaments that helped him win the Minnesota BASS State Federation Championship this summer. He’s a heck of a good stick with a great eye for capturing captivating shots while telling a compelling story.

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