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Bass Fishing Forums => Bass Fishing Tips & Techniques => Topic started by: Curt on March 03, 2016, 11:02:12 AM

Title: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 03, 2016, 11:02:12 AM
Anybody ever fish the Ned Rig?

I'm going to be testing some prototype mushroom heads for Lure Parts Online, using the Ned Rig. Just curious to know if anyone else has fished this rig at all. It seems like it might be the ticket when the bite is tough.

https://youtu.be/qqGTzPt6TIQ
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Eric Low on March 03, 2016, 01:26:18 PM
Looks like a great way to use up broken senkos
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: JackJ on March 03, 2016, 04:06:16 PM
I am just not sure about this, seems to me a normal shakey head would work just as well.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 04, 2016, 02:34:00 PM
I am just not sure about this, seems to me a normal shakey head would work just as well.

I don't know that the head is a big deal. But the method itself is good, especially on pressured waters or under post-frontal conditions.

The new heads I'll be testing for LPO have a special keeper on them to keep the soft plastic in place. I'll be sure to leave feedback here after I've used them for a while  :nod:
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Jig Man on March 05, 2016, 07:59:55 AM
My version of the Ned is one of my go to lures.  I fish it a lot but don't use all the sissy 1/16 oz heads with itty bitty hooks that the hype is all about.  I fish with 1/8 oz head most of the time and don't go smaller than a #2 hook and a large as a 3/0.  Charlie Brewer sliders are my favorite baits instead of half a soft stick.  My s-I-l and I had a bunch of bass to 6 1/2# and several walleye using it post spawn at night  last May.  My dedicated setup is a Gloomis Bronzeback rod with a Shimano Curado reel and 8# fluro carbon line.  It also worked well this past fall but has not been a producer this winter.

Slow drag and swim twitch are the best methods for numbers for me.  Once in a while hopping works when all else fails.

So far this winter the A Rig has been way the most productive bait for me.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: fishon-son on March 05, 2016, 11:20:13 AM
I'm thinking this rig is not for weedy lakes of just deeper water where the weeds don't grow....its new to me also...
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 05, 2016, 10:52:33 PM
The prototype heads I am working with LPO on will have a bit bigger hooks. The sissy hooks that many of these heads come with would never stand up to bigger bass.  (nope)
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 05, 2016, 10:56:23 PM
I'm thinking this rig is not for weedy lakes of just deeper water where the weeds don't grow....its new to me also...

I think you'd be able to work it through sparse weeds, but nothing heavy. A lot of that, too, would depend on whether you're fishing it on a real rod & reel or a sissy stick with wimpy line  (giggle)
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Jig Man on March 16, 2016, 09:33:44 AM
I don't think you can fish it on a "real rod and reel"  there is not enough weight.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 16, 2016, 03:41:24 PM
I don't think you can fish it on a "real rod and reel"  there is not enough weight.

I agree if you're fishing the smallest sizes. But bumping up to a 3/8 oz. head and using 12 lb. test line might work for baitcasting gear. Obviously this takes some of the "finesse" out of the presentation. But it might present new opportunities to fish this rig in new areas where you might be afraid to fish it with lighter line.  :nod:
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Eric Low on May 24, 2016, 07:30:20 PM
Fished on Erie this weekend, one of the days tough conditions: clear clear water, bright sun, no wind, 5' deep. I netted a 5 lb 2 0z smallie caught on a z man Ned bait 1/15 oz mushroom head 5 lb braid and leader 2 power rod. I am going to give it a try. Bait floats strait up unlike half a senko would.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on May 24, 2016, 08:08:28 PM
Fished on Erie this weekend, one of the days tough conditions: clear clear water, bright sun, no wind, 5' deep. I netted a 5 lb 2 0z smallie caught on a z man Ned bait 1/15 oz mushroom head 5 lb braid and leader 2 power rod. I am going to give it a try. Bait floats strait up unlike half a senko would.

Getting the bait to float the tail straight up is definitely a big plus  :nod:
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: frugalangler on May 25, 2016, 10:33:38 AM

I don't know that the head is a big deal. But the method itself is good, especially on pressured waters or under post-frontal conditions.


Exactly, the head is not the key here, it's the technique. I've seen a number of Ned's talks, he's quite the character - lives just up the road a piece from me and I'm often on the same lake he's fishing and he's got the technique down - he better after so many years. The technique actually (according to Ned) started as a early midwest technique back in the days of the likes of Harold Ensley, Virgil Ward, and a host of others that hung out at a little tackle shop in KC. I've successfully used many different heads from a plain unpainted ball jig head to the fanciest (expensive) powder-coated mushroom with keeper - and can't tell the difference - it's again the technique of presentation. If you talk/listen to Ned, he'll talk about a lot of different baits you can use, but he seems to favor the Zinker and a WELL used one at that - he feels that the more it's used and soaked in water the better it works - he'll even stretch it and snap it multiple times to 'work it in' before he fishes it. As for rods, he uses what almost all today would throw in the trash, it's the sloppiest rod I've ever seen, and an old reel that looks like it should be in an antique show somewhere - he claims he doesn't' want to 'feel' the bait but wants to feel NOTHING on his line until he feels a fish.

Does it work - I'm sold on it, it's my go-to now, and even though Ned suggest to use no-feel rods, I've come across a bait cast rod/reel combination that is superb.

Spend a day fun-fishing it and you'll be committed to it in your next tourney.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: frugalangler on May 25, 2016, 10:36:54 AM
I don't think you can fish it on a "real rod and reel"  there is not enough weight.

I agree if you're fishing the smallest sizes. But bumping up to a 3/8 oz. head and using 12 lb. test line might work for baitcasting gear. Obviously this takes some of the "finesse" out of the presentation. But it might present new opportunities to fish this rig in new areas where you might be afraid to fish it with lighter line.  :nod:

I use a St. Croix rod and an 'imported' Diawa finesse reel (it can only be bought from Japan tackle shops) as a baitcast setup and can throw a 1/10 rig as far as most can on a spinning rod, but with a whole lot more accuracy and control
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on May 25, 2016, 12:12:03 PM


Spend a day fun-fishing it and you'll be committed to it in your next tourney.

OK.. convinced me with that last line!  (yes)
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Eric Low on March 10, 2019, 06:10:49 PM
Check out this easy tweak to get elastex baits to stay put on the jig head. Grab a bit with another hook and pull it up over the eye....like a  suspender. Holds the bait tight was easy to do(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190310/4dc314468cc8568724110da759427c52.jpg)

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Jig Man on March 11, 2019, 06:42:05 AM
That looks like a good way to do it with heads that have no weed guard.  I fish in a lot of narly places so I make mine with the wg therefore,  I have to use Super Glue Gel.


That gives me some food for thought so I think I'll go play around with your idea and see if I can figure a way to do it with a wg.

Worked like a charm.  Thanks for the tip Eric.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 11, 2019, 07:24:00 PM
Great tips, guys!

Now if only I could catch fish with Ned  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Jig Man on March 12, 2019, 07:12:03 AM
Curt try it post spawn.  My best day last year was a ned day.  65 bass with 14 keeps to 6.25# from 4-10 fow.
Title: Re: Ned Rig?
Post by: Curt on March 14, 2019, 07:51:54 PM
Curt try it post spawn.  My best day last year was a ned day.  65 bass with 14 keeps to 6.25# from 4-10 fow.

Thanks, Jig Man! I will keep that in mind  :nod:
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