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 not often keep a secret.
That’s precisely what occurred to Ned Kehde, who invented the Ned rig in 2006. Kehde was extra interested by catching numbers of bass slightly than a few huge bass all through the day. He discovered the best method to get extra bites was to fish a jig head tipped with a small piece of plastic. Even when fishing circumstances aren’t optimum, this small bait nonetheless will get bites from largemouth, smallmouth, and noticed bass. It could actually 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 every little thing it’s essential to learn about fishing a Ned rig.
Matters Lined
The Ned Rig
The usual Ned rig is a mushroom jig head paired with a 3-inch stick bait. Whilst you can thread virtually any tender plastic lure onto the jig head, there’s one thing particular about this straightforward rig’s motion — or lack thereof. If you wish to broaden your horizon’s past the basic stick bait, bait firms supply specifically designed baits that vary from craws to creature baits.
Easy methods to Rig a Ned Rig
A deep dive on the Ned rig from my buddy 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 burden of your jig head accordingly. Sometimes, anglers attain for jig heads starting from 1/8-ounce to ¼-ounce.
Step 2: Take your small tender 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 in opposition to the jig head, and the tender plastic must be in keeping with the shank of the hook. Principally, be sure 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 seems completely 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 particular forage that bass like to hone in on.
So why on earth does it work?
There are two essential faculties 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’ll be able to slowly hop it or drag it alongside the underside, imitating a crawfish fleeing, this principle makes probably 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 could 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 just a few inches earlier than falling again down, it’s a logical principle.
Ultimately, it actually doesn’t matter which of the 2 theories you purchase into since you’ll be fishing the Ned rig with the same 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
Deciding on the correct time to fish a Ned rig is as straightforward because it will get. Virtually any time of yr, the Ned rig will get you bites. However for those who’re in search of an unforgettable day the place you’ll be able to’t maintain the bass off of your line, I’d suggest 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 unimaginable success utilizing the Ned rig in and round younger, emergent grass like hydrilla or milfoil. These are the spots the place the Ned rig actually shines, boosting your confidence in its effectiveness.
Within the spring, the prey bass tends to focus on can normally 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 anticipate the circumstances 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, they usually’re primed and prepared to your Ned rig to hit the underside.
If, for no matter motive, 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 quilt discovered alongside the primary drop-off, loads of bass are normally ready in ambush. Your Ned rig shall be handled equally.
Easy methods 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 shortly with little backside contact. However in these circumstances, I in all probability would have been higher served throwing a shifting bait like a chatterbait to focus on the extra aggressive fish. No matter the way you need to fish the bait, as with different finesse techniques, persistence and a lightweight drag are key.
Selecting a Ned Rig Setup
When deciding on the correct rod to your Ned rig you’re in luck as a result of many of the finest spinning rods will do the trick. You probably have a favourite spinning rod for fishing gentle Texas rigs or weightless worms, then you in all probability 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 Professional Ned Rig spinning rod. It’s an extended rod at 7 ft 4 inches, which permits for farther casts, however it additionally provides an additional quick tip, which is essential when feeling the chunk and preventing the bass again to the boat.
In the event you’re in search of a Ned rig particular rod that’s extra inexpensive, the Z-Man Drew’s Final Ned Rig Spinning Rod is a more recent providing that’s seen a whole lot 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 finest spinning reels you’ve got in your arsenal. However, for those who’re out there for a technique-specific reel for the Ned rig, I’d suggest going with a light-weight spinning reel that’s clean and provides a great drag. For me, the Shimano Vanford 2500HG is the right alternative.
Baits
The Ned rig has turn into so wildly widespread that you possibly can 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. An alternative choice that I’ve had a whole lot 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 exhausting 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 workforce 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 not often encountered a problem. The built-in bait keeper additionally does an ideal job at preserving your tender plastic on the hook when a bass simply bites the tail.
In the event you’re in search of 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 usually fish spinning reels with a braid-to-fluorocarbon chief. I prefer to go together with 10-pound Daiwa J-Braid for my braided line. As for the fluorocarbon chief, I lean on 8-pound Sunline FC.
Closing Ideas and Recommendations on Easy methods 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 house in your spring bass fishing journey would absolutely be a mistake.
The Ned rig has a repute for catching a pile of bass, however it could actually additionally trick among the largest bass within the lake for those who catch them in the correct temper. Tack on the truth that you can even catch panfish, muskie, pike, and walleye on it, and also you’ll quickly notice simply how efficient the Ned rig is. The subsequent time you’re struggling to get a chunk, do your self a favor and rig up “The Turd.”
