Finesse strategies catch when aggressive shifting baits fail to get bites, particularly for those who’ve created a secret rig that the fish haven’t seen earlier than. However nice strategies hardly ever keep a secret.
That’s precisely what occurred to Ned Kehde, who invented the Ned rig in 2006. Kehde was extra fascinated by catching numbers of bass fairly than a few huge bass all through the day. He discovered the simplest method to get extra bites was to fish a jig head tipped with a small piece of plastic. Even when fishing situations aren’t optimum, this small bait nonetheless will get bites from largemouth, smallmouth, and noticed bass. It may even result in loads of unintended bycatch.
Regardless of the place you fish within the nation, a Ned rig will catch fish. Right here’s all the pieces you want to learn about fishing a Ned rig.
Subjects Lined
The Ned Rig
The usual Ned rig is a mushroom jig head paired with a 3-inch stick bait. When you can thread virtually any smooth plastic lure onto the jig head, there’s one thing particular about this easy rig’s motion — or lack thereof. If you wish to broaden your horizon’s past the basic stick bait, bait corporations provide specially designed baits that vary from craws to creature baits.
The right way to Rig a Ned Rig
A deep dive on the Ned rig from my pal TylersReelFishing.
A Ned rig ought to take not more than a minute to be able to fish, it’s fast and easy. Here’s a step-by-step information.
Step 1: Relying on the depth you’re fishing and the speed of fall you’re after, choose the load of your jig head accordingly. Usually, anglers attain for jig heads starting from 1/8-ounce to ¼-ounce.
Step 2: Take your small smooth plastic stick bait and thread it onto the hook till the hook is about ⅓ of the way in which into the lure. Pop the hook out of the facet and slide the rigged portion up the hook to the jig head. It ought to sit flush towards the jig head, and the smooth plastic must be according to the shank of the hook. Mainly, make certain it’s straight.
Step 3: Utilizing a Palomar knot, tie on the Ned rig.
What Makes the Ned Rig Efficient for Bass, Walleye, and Different Species?
The Ned rig is undoubtedly efficient, however what makes it efficient is extra of a principle than science. Underwater, this rig appears totally uninspiring. It barely has any motion, sufficient in order that some bass anglers have aptly named it, “The Turd.” Frankly, the jig head and bait simply hop alongside the underside, not precisely imitating a selected forage that bass like to hone in on.
So why on earth does it work?
There are two most important colleges of thought. First, and my favourite, is that this rig resembles a crawfish that misplaced its claws, making it a a lot simpler prey for a hungry bass. Since you may slowly hop it or drag it alongside the underside, imitating a crawfish fleeing, this principle makes essentially the most sense to me. I additionally appear to get most of my Ned rig bites close to rock piles or alongside rocky bottoms, furthering my perception.
The opposite angle, nonetheless, is that the Ned might be perceived as a dying baitfish. Whether or not bass suppose it’s a threadfin shad or a gizzard shad doesn’t appear to matter, however for those who attempt to image a shad on the final leg of its life, slowly sinking to the underside after which fluttering up a couple of inches earlier than falling again down, it’s a logical principle.
In the long run, it actually doesn’t matter which of the 2 theories you purchase into since you’ll be fishing the Ned rig with an identical cadence. And even when the bass don’t see it as both of the 2 choices above, the actual fact of the matter is, the Ned rig nonetheless flat out catches them.
When to Throw a Ned Rig
Choosing the precise time to fish a Ned rig is as straightforward because it will get. Virtually any time of 12 months, the Ned rig will get you bites. However for those who’re on the lookout for an unforgettable day the place you may’t preserve the bass off of your line, I’d advocate throwing it within the spring.
Whether or not the bass are of their pre-spawn or post-spawn section, the Ned rig is a confirmed winner in semi-shallow environments. My private favorites are rock piles, however I’ve additionally had unbelievable success utilizing the Ned rig in and round younger, emergent grass like hydrilla or milfoil. These are the spots the place the Ned rig really shines, boosting your confidence in its effectiveness.
Within the spring, the prey bass tends to focus on can often be present in 8 to 12 ft of water, congregating the bass on what most anglers name the ‘first drop-off.’ It additionally helps that bass sometimes spawn in shallow water, so the primary drop-off creates the right staging floor as they await the situations to be good earlier than heading shallower to make their beds. This places a big proportion of the bass inhabitants proper the place you need them, and so they’re primed and prepared in your Ned rig to hit the underside.
If, for no matter cause, you’re unable to make it out earlier than the spawn, don’t fret. The early-post spawn has very related patterns. Because the bass push again out of the shallows once they’ve completed spawning, they’ll but once more stage on the primary drop-off to get well and feed after a busy week on the mattress. Because the baitfish and crawfish work by the duvet discovered alongside the primary drop-off, loads of bass are often ready in ambush. Your Ned rig will likely be handled equally.
The right way to Fish a Ned Rig
As I’ve talked about, most anglers discover success dragging or softly jigging the Ned rig alongside the underside. On uncommon events, I’ve discovered success attempting to work the bait rapidly with little backside contact. However in these circumstances, I most likely would have been higher served throwing a shifting bait like a chatterbait to focus on the extra aggressive fish. No matter the way you wish to fish the bait, as with different finesse ways, persistence and a lightweight drag are key.
Selecting a Ned Rig Setup
When choosing the precise rod in your Ned rig you’re in luck as a result of a lot of the best spinning rods will do the trick. When you’ve got a favourite spinning rod for fishing mild Texas rigs or weightless worms, then you most likely don’t must buy groceries. However, as with hottest bass fishing strategies, there are technique-specific rods you should buy.
Ned Rig Rods
A favourite of mine is the G. Loomis IMX Pro Ned Rig spinning rod. It’s an extended rod at 7 ft 4 inches, which permits for farther casts, nevertheless it additionally provides an additional quick tip, which is vital when feeling the chunk and combating the bass again to the boat.
Should you’re on the lookout for a Ned rig particular rod that’s extra inexpensive, the Z-Man Drew’s Final Ned Rig Spinning Rod is a more moderen providing that’s seen loads of success within the kayak bass fishing world. These rods are provided in shorter lengths than I want, however they make the right rod for fishing a Ned rig out of your kayak.
Spinning Reel
Equally to the rod you select, your reel might be nearly any of the best spinning reels you have got in your arsenal. However, for those who’re available in the market for a technique-specific reel for the Ned rig, I might advocate going with a light-weight spinning reel that’s clean and provides an excellent drag. For me, the Shimano Vanford 2500HG is the right selection.
Baits
The Ned rig has change into so wildly in style that you would fill what looks like a mile of retailer cabinets with all the totally different choices. However, I’d be remiss to not point out the Z-Man Finesse TRD, as Z-Man is extensively credited with making the Ned rig a family identify. Another choice that I’ve had loads of success with is the Roboworm Ned Worm in inexperienced pumpkin perch. If you’re trying to broaden past the stick bait realm, it’s laborious to beat the Z-Man TRD CrawZ.
Jig Head
The jig head you select for the Ned rig is a crucial piece to the puzzle. I want heavy-duty hooks on my jig heads to keep away from bends within the shank after an extended day on the water. I tip my cap once more to the crew over at Z-Man for his or her Professional ShroomZ. I’ve fished these jig heads on my Ned rigs for years now, and I’ve hardly ever encountered a problem. The built-in bait keeper additionally does an incredible job at protecting your smooth plastic on the hook when a bass simply bites the tail.
Should you’re on the lookout for a weedless ned rig choice, the NedlockZ EWG is a superb choice for thick cowl.
Line
The final piece of drugs you’ll want for a Ned rig is the road in your reel. Avid bass anglers typically fish spinning reels with a braid-to-fluorocarbon chief. I prefer to go along with 10-pound Daiwa J-Braid for my braided line. As for the fluorocarbon chief, I lean on 8-pound Sunline FC.
Ultimate Ideas and Tips about The right way to Fish a Ned Rig
Despite the fact that the Ned rig may come throughout as some unassuming and unimpressive trying bait, it has confirmed time and time once more to be a bass magnet. Regardless of the way you fish it or what you suppose it imitates, leaving it at residence in your spring bass fishing journey would certainly be a mistake.
The Ned rig has a popularity for catching a pile of bass, however it could possibly additionally trick a few of the largest bass within the lake for those who catch them in the precise temper. Tack on the truth that you may also catch panfish, muskie, pike, and walleye on it, and also you’ll quickly notice simply how efficient the Ned rig is. The following time you’re struggling to get a chunk, do your self a favor and rig up “The Turd.”
