In relation to catching giant numbers of panfish, it’s not possible to beat a piece of nightcrawler (or perhaps a cricket) hanging underneath a bobber. However if you’re throwing dwell bait for panfish, you’re sure to catch a ton of smaller fish together with the occasional keeper. If you wish to keep away from these dinks, land some good bluegills, and have the prospect at hooking into hard-fighting bass, then think about buying and selling the crawlers for a synthetic just like the comparatively new micro Ned rig bait from Z-Man, the Micro TRD.
I not too long ago fished a Northern Minnesota lake with a Micro TRD and had a blast pulling bluegills from bulrush weeds, downed logs, and boulders alongside the shoreline. Despite the fact that I used to be focusing on panfish, I caught just a few good bass, which put up a heck of a combat on ultralight gear. After a pair days of sizzling fishing, I discovered to like the micro Ned rig as a dual-threat presentation. In reality, it is likely to be top-of-the-line choices for anglers who need to goal bass and massive bluegills on the identical time.
Meet the Micro Ned
The Ned rig is a nicely established bass rig and you may study all about Ned rig fishing right here. Z-Man is basically credited with bringing the Ned to reputation, however extra not too long ago they’ve launched the Micro TRD, which measures simply 1.25 inches in size. You possibly can fish this mini plastic with a Micro Finesse ShroomZ jig which is available in a measurement 4 or 6 hook and weights of 1/10, 1/15, 1/20, or 1/30 ounces. (Normal TRDs are 2.75 inches and the massive sizes measure 4 inches).
Similar to Z-Man’s full-size TRDs, the micro TRDs are product of ElazTech, which is the corporate’s proprietary bait materials that’s tremendous stretchy, sturdy, and buoyant. The buoyancy lifts the plastic vertically whereas the jig head sits on the underside.
It is a tiny bait for bass, and a hefty bait for bluegills, in different phrases, simply excellent for many lakes within the Higher Midwest the place I fish.
Fishing the Micro Ned
You fish this child Ned similar to how you’d fish the full-size model: solid it out and slowly drag it alongside the underside, giving it occasional little pops alongside the best way. This works greatest on rocky or sandy bottoms the place you received’t drag the little jig into heavy weeds. I discovered the micro Ned to be particularly efficient round timber, edges of bulrush weeds, and docks. It might even be a killer tactic for sight fishing large bluegills on their beds. You typically get hit because the bait initially drops to the underside, particularly when casting to shoreline construction.
Should you’re fishing in heavy weeds, you’ve set to work the bait quicker to maintain the jig out of the jungle (it’s so gentle that it received’t punch by means of any substantial weed cowl). Or, you may droop it underneath a bobber.
You’ll see another tales and movies on the market of anglers catching huge 10-inch bluegills with Ned rigs. The lake I used to be fishing didn’t have bluegills of that measurement, or if it did, I wasn’t on ‘em. However nonetheless, 7- and 8-inch bluegills had no drawback gulping down the TRD worm. I’d really feel a pair gentle faucets after which see my line transfer ever so barely. The smaller bluegills may swipe on the bait, however wouldn’t be capable of get it of their mouth. Bass would merely thump the bait. That was signal to swing with a tougher hook set in comparison with a lighter, sweeping hookset required for panfish.
Photograph by Alex Robins
This method works greatest on calm days when there’s no sturdy wind to place slack in your line and there’s no chop on the water to disrupt your presentation. These baits are so gentle that even a average wind can mess up your presentation and make casting a problem. You want to have the ability to fish the micro Ned with a taut line so you possibly can really feel the underside and in addition really feel refined hits.
Rods, Reels, and Line for Micro Neds
That is an extremely finesse method that requires delicate gear. However, you don’t want something fancy. I used to be utilizing a measurement 75 Lew’s Laser Lite reel and a 6-foot Fenwick Eagle gentle, fast-action rod. For line, go along with both 4-pound or 6-pound take a look at. I feel the best setup is 6-pound braid with a 4-pound mono chief. The braid will will let you really feel construction higher and see your line extra simply which helps with detecting refined eats.
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It doesn’t matter what gear you select, you received’t be capable of solid these tiny jigs very far so good boat place, close to the construction you’re focusing on, is essential.
And if you do hook a decent-sized fish, you’ll should play her gently. Preventing a slab bluegill or a 16-inch bass on ultra-light deal with is a enjoyable problem. Hooking an even bigger bass turns into an actual rodeo. So hold your drag set reasonably unfastened and be able to combat fish cautiously. You may lose some fish, perhaps even a giant one, utilizing this method, however that drama solely amps up the thrill and enjoyable issue.
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Remaining Ideas
Photograph by Alex Robinson
The complete-sized Ned rig generally will get criticized by hardcore bass fishermen for less than placing runts within the boat. I’ve discovered that the micro Ned will catch all types of fish — small bass, large bass, bluegills, and the rest. It’s simply that in most lakes there are extra small bass swimming round than there are large ones. And generally, in the course of the warmth of summer time, anglers simply need to get out and have some motion (5 pounders be damned). For these days, focusing on bass and panfish with a micro Ned rig is the proper tactic.
