The Ned Rig: Your Secret Weapon for December Bass

Dwelling alongside the Gulf Coast and fishing these waters my whole life, I’ve realized one vital lesson: adapt to altering circumstances or lose!  And nowhere is that this extra true than when concentrating on bass throughout the chilly, uncooked month of December.

For years, I used to be that man. A fisherman who stubbornly clung to summer time methods.

I used to be a spinnerbait man. Colorado, willow, and Indian blades – oh yeah! Spinnerbaits had been my favourite lures to throw. All summer time, I might work them just under the floor, the place the blade would create a ripple that will produce highly effective subsurface strikes.

However December? December calls for a special strategy.

A couple of decade in the past, I found the Ned Rig, which utterly remodeled my winter bass fishing technique. This finesse approach is particularly designed for these difficult cold-water circumstances when bass get notoriously sluggish and hesitant to chase something.

At its core, the Ned Rig is easy. It consists of a light-weight jighead, sometimes 1/16 to 1/8 ounce. It’s paired with a brief, mushy plastic bait like a small stickbait or worm. I wish to nose-hook my stickbait so it creates a novel, standing presentation. When it sinks all the way down to the underside, the bait stands upright, mimicking a struggling or injured baitfish which is an irresistible goal for cold-water bass.

Why It Works

In chilly water, bass aren’t seeking to expend pointless power. Their metabolism slows down, they usually choose straightforward meals. The Ned Rig’s delicate, bottom-twitching motion completely matches this habits. By retaining the bait near the underside and transferring it with minimal, mild twitches, you’re basically presenting a simple meal that’s laborious for a bass to disregard.

The Retrieve

Working a Ned Rig requires a special contact in comparison with extra aggressive methods. After casting and letting the lure choose the underside, I preserve my rod tip low and pointed straight on the bait. Then, I’ll slowly elevate the rod, dragging the lure throughout the underside. The bottom line is to subtly drag your lure on the underside. Bear in mind,  these fish are chilly, and your presentation must mirror that.

When retrieving, watch your line like a hawk. Winter bass bites could be so delicate that they’re nearly unnoticeable. If you happen to see the slightest sideways motion or really feel a slight stress, set the hook instantly.

The Lure

I’ve discovered Z-Man TRD baits to be notably for utilizing with a Ned Rig. It’s mushy plastic design and shade patterns appear to set off strikes even within the coldest circumstances. Pair these with a lightweight jighead, and it’s lights out for December bass!

Bass fishing in December isn’t about overlaying a whole lot of water so decelerate, be affected person, and belief the Ned Rig. Study its nuances, experiment with the velocity of your retrieve, and also you’ll end up selecting the chilly lake over a heat fireplace each single time.

This method isn’t only a fishing technique—it’s a mindset. It’s about understanding the fish and adapting your strategy to match the circumstances. And in December, the Ned Rig is your ticket to success!

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award profitable out of doors journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com