Ah… the Ned Rig.
The Ned Rig is a popular and effective finesse technique in bass fishing. Named after Ned Kehde, a legendary angler and pioneer of Midwest finesse fishing, the Ned Rig is known for its simplicity and ability to catch bass, especially in tough fishing conditions or when the fish are less active… like the cold water months we’re in right now.
The smaller presentation offers bass, whether largemouth, smallmouth or spots, an easy meal that doesn’t require a lot of “thought,” so to speak. Think of it like the bowl of peanuts or pretzels that sits on the counter or bar top… eventually, you’re just gonna grab a handful without even thinking about it.
The Ned Rig uses a small, mushroom-shaped jighead, usually in the range of 1/16 to 1/4 ounces (I usually use a 1/10th), although some instances may call for a heavier weight and a faster fall. The mushroom shape helps it stand upright when on the bottom, but it’s really important to have a floating bait for optimal action (believe it or not, some Ned baits aren’t very buoyant at all).
A soft plastic bait is threaded onto the jighead, generally small stick worms or tiny creature baits, somewhere between 2 and 4 inches in length. I recommend a medium-light spinning rod for Ned Rig fishing, with 8-pound braid to an 8 pound fluorocarbon leader.
Bass anglers often use a drag-and-deadstick technique, where they cast the rig, let it sink to the bottom, and then slowly drag it along, occasionally pausing to let the bait sit motionless. However, it can also be hopped along the bottom, or bounced along the bottom with a steady retrieve like swimbait. Rod twitches and shakes can add some more wobble movement.
You’re going to want to target rocky bottoms, weed edges, and open water, but it can work just about anywhere. It’s particularly effective in clear or pressured waters where a more subtle presentation can entice those finnicky bass.
So, what exactly do you need? Let’s dive a little deeper into the gear:
Ned Rig Gear
Recommended Rods:
Budget: St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rod – 6′10 ML XF – $86.99
Mid-Price: Shimano Intenza Spinning 7′ ML XF – $149.99
Quality: Daiwa Tatula Elite ASG Spinning 7’1″ M Fast – $299.00
Ned Rigs Jigheads:
ZMan Micro Finesse Shroomz – 1/10th
Top 5 Ned Rig Baits
Colors: Blue Craw, Morning Dawn, Bama Craw
Colors: Aaron’s Magic, Breaking Dawn, Green Pumpkin Perch
Colors: Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core, Fried Melon, PB&J
Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Goby Bryant, Green Pumpkin
Colors: Goby, Coppertreuse, Green Pumpkin Magic
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