So, why would/should I spend $$ on a Tokyo rig, when my first thought was "it's a drop shot rig with a very short leader."

Also "I can make one with a split ring swivel and 3 inches of wire."

What, then, is so special about the Tokyo rig that everyone who sells them raves about?

Congrats! Answered all your own questions!

Yep. No need to respond.

That's what I was thinking... But I wanted to hear it from somebody else.

The Tokyo rig was originally designed in Japan for punching heavy vegetation. Was called the "punchshot rig," The thinking behind it was everything collapses into a straight smooth package as the rig falls through the mat. Someone brought the rig to the states and started playing with it in other scenarios. It's not really in competition with the drop shot rig so "VS" isn't really the proper question. Just another technique that has been found to be effective. I am normally throwing it with a 1oz or a 3/4oz tungsten below it which isn't really practical with a drop shot but I guess could be rigged and work. Its definitely a vesitle rig that is definitely effective. I like it around rock and offshore. I lift my rod tip and then reel down the slack line and repeat. Great search bait rig. Swimbaits,creatures,worms,craws, ect can all be fished on it which is another bonus.

BTW. Dont buy the Tokyo Rig. They are simple to make like you stated above with a split ring and some offshore toothy critter rigging wire found at Academy.

Hey Mossyback, thanks a lot for the excellent explanation. Opened my eyes to a technique I was unaware of.

No problem. Hoping you catch a bunch of fish with it. I have feeling you will if you give it a shot. Offshore especially.

I just rig up a bubba drop shot with 65# braid, a 4/0 wide gap hook and a 1 oz. torpedo weight. Works great for punching grass.