It’s time to start using a Ned rig if you aren’t already. A summary of when, where, and how to fish the Ned rig is provided below.
The”Ned Rig” (AKA the”Midwest finesse rig”), has taken the bass world by storm. For anglers fishing in challenging conditions or heavily fished waters, it has quickly established itself as a go-to presentation in many parts of the nation. Since it can be used to imitate a variety of bass food sources, the ned rig excels when the going gets tough because of its small profile, subtle action, and versatility.
To learn how to fish with a ned rig, read this blog. Learn How To Rig A Sunfish?
How to Fish Ned Rig?
Once you’ve got the ned rigged, the rest is simply because, as long as you fish on a slack line, you can use it to catch fish in almost any hardcover situation. There are some fantastic places to fish the ned near points, bluff banks, boat docks, rip rap and other areas where bass like to congregate.
Once you’ve identified a potential location, simply throw the ned out there and allow it to sink on a slack line. Keep an eye out as it dips to check for the telltale “tick” of a fish. A fish will frequently be on when you reel up to move the bait even though you didn’t see any signs of a fish biting beforehand.
Despite being simple to use, there is one thing that fishermen should be aware of when using the ned rig, and that is that the hook shouldn’t be set conventionally. If you really jerk on the hook, the tiny gap on it has the propensity to come out of the bass’ mouth. Instead, just lean in and start reeling once you feel the bite. It seems crazy, but the fish will hook themselves.
How to Rig the Ned Rig?
It doesn’t get any simpler. The ned rig is simply a tiny piece of a soft plastic stick bait threaded onto a tiny 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jighead. While any stick bait will work effectively, there are few better ned rig baits than the 10,000 Fish Sukoshi Bug
That’s all there is to it, but Z-Man Fishing recently released products made specifically for the ned rig, the Finesse T.R.D paired with the Finesse ShroomZ jighead, to spare anglers the trouble of rigging.
The concept is that the extremely light jighead imparts a very slow, gliding fall that large bass can’t resist, and the Finesse TRD offers the salt and softness that will make them hold on once they’ve bit.
So, to review – Grab a light, 1/16 or 1/8 ounce lead head jig like the Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ, cut a 5″ stick bait in half (or grab the Thread it on and use the Z-Man Finesse TRD.
What is a Ned Rig?
The ned rig is a small plastic that is typically 2 to 3 inches long and doesn’t have much else to it that is rigged on a mushroom head jig. It was invented out of the midwest finesse niche in bass fishing by none other than Ned Kehde. The initial design essentially consisted of a mushroom head and half of a Yamamoto Senko.
After Ned Kehde of Lawrence, Kansas, the Ned rig was given that name. Sedalia, Missouri, where I grew up, Kehde fished the Ozark region of the country. While he was a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Kehde guided at Carrington’s Two Waters Resort on the Gravois arm of Lake of the Ozarks.
Guido Hibdon, another Carrington employee, was there when he met him. What is now known as the Ned rig was first used by Hibdon. Kehde also met the late Chuck Woods of Kansas City, Missouri, along with Hibdon., and the late From Overland Park, Kansas, Ray Frincke. Kehde refers to both of them as the inventors of this finesse rig.
Normally, it is caught using a spinning rod and reel, and light line. Part of what makes it so versatile is that different retrieves work at different times. The profile so closely resembles the environment of a bass that fish simply perceive it as being natural and unobtrusive. They, therefore, lack skepticism. They simply regard it as a simple snack. And usually, bite.
I recall visiting the Berkley testing facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa, years ago. There was an odd board attached to the wall with numerous pieces of black plastic tubing. The tubes were of various widths and lengths. Some were really short and fat and some were really long and skinny and every combination in between or vice versa.
And then one was set off to the side. It measured between 2 3/4 and 3 inches long and had a width similar to a pinky. According to what I was told, the bass preferred that profile over all others in their testing when all other factors (color, texture, scent, material) were the same.
And then you have the ned rig. Almost an exact replica of that 3-inch soft plastic tube. an innocuous-looking piece of plastic. And the bass actually prefers that. After the new ned rig gained popularity more than ten years ago, that test stayed with me.
Conclusion: Fish Ned Rig
The strong, forged hook on the Ned Rig Jig is ready to take on large fish. The hybrid wide gap and bend of the jig, which increases hook sets and adds strength, is equally applicable for finesse applications.
A good sensitive spinning rod for sure makes fishing a ned rig easier and more effective. A lot of the bites on a ned rig are just changes in pressure. If they pick up your lure and come closer to you, it either feels suddenly heavier or occasionally lighter.
FAQs
When Should You Use a Ned Rig?
The Ned rig performs best in shallow water, but it can be effective in mid-depth spots in certain scenarios. Kehde frequently employs 1/32, 1/16, and 3/32-ounce Gopher Tackle jigs because he typically fishes shallow. With the Finesse ShroomZ jig by Z-Man and the Finesse Half Moon jig by VMC, I’ve had good luck.
What Fishing Line to Use for Ned Rig?
Like many other finesse applications, the braid to fluorocarbon leader is the most popular application. I typically use 6–8 pounds of fluorocarbon. 10lb max when fishing around heavier cover.
