Ned Rig: Get ready to catch more bass with this simple yet deadly rig

The Ned rig is a simple yet highly effective fishing rig that has gained popularity among anglers in recent years. It consists of a short soft plastic bait (approximately 3-4 inches), threaded with a jighead.

The Ned Rig is a great option when the bite is slow and a finesse presentation is more productive. For a lot of Anglers the Ned Rig has replaced the shaky head because it seems to hook more Bass. There are a few different ways that you can fish the Ned Rig that we will discuss in this article as well as go over fishing techniques, benefits of using a Ned rig and how to rig it.

Fishing gear required for the Ned Rig

Here is a list of fishing gear items that you will need to rig a Ned Rig:

Jighead: A small jighead with a mushroom-shaped head is typically used for the Ned rig. I recommend using the Z Man jighead. The size of the jighead can be between 3/32oz and 1/4 oz. Adjust the size of your rig depending on how shallow or deep the water you’re fishing.
Plastics: A short, slender soft plastic bait is used on the Ned rig. I recommend using the Missle Bait Ned Bomb or a worm but there are a variety of other types of jigs that you can use.
Line: You can use a braided main line with a fluorocarbon leader or just a fluorocarbon main line. It should be light line (6lb – 8lb test). I wouldn’t recommend exceeding 8lbs since it makes it more difficult to cast your bait.
Spinning Rod: It’s important that you use a spinning reel. Since the Ned Rig is a finesse rig, it is light which makes it almost impossible to cast with a baitcaster. A 3000 size reel is great for this technique. In regards to the Rod, ideally you want the rod to be around 7ft in length with medium-light to medium power and a fast action.

Benefits of the Ned Rig

Here are some benefits of fishing the Ned rig:

Simplicity: Rigging the Ned rig is easy and fishing the Ned rig is simple, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced anglers.
Versatility: The Ned Rig can be fished from a boat or shore. with a variety of different techniques and baits
Effectiveness: The slow, natural presentation of the Ned rig makes it effective for catching fish in pressured or clear water situations. It also works really well on days with tough conditions where fish are less active and a finesse presentation is needed to generate more bites.
Durability: The small size of the rig makes it less likely to get snagged on underwater obstacles, allowing you to fish it in areas that may be difficult to fish with other rigs.
Cost-effectiveness: The simple design of the Ned rig means that it is relatively inexpensive to rig.
Fun: The Ned rig is a really fun way to hook Bass. The bite is a little bit different from other types of lures.

How to rig a Ned Rig

One of the advantages of the Ned Rig is that its so easy to rig. All you need to do is tie your main line to the jighead using your chosen fishing knot then thread the soft plastic bait onto the hook so that the bait is straight and the hook is coming out the top of the bait.
That’s it! This really is one of the easiest rigs to set up for effective bass fishing!

Ned Rig fishing techniques

There are several ways that you can fish the Ned rig. Here are a few of them:

Lift and Fall: The most common and arguably the most effective way is to allow plastics to slowly fall to the floor while keeping your rod tip up in the air, then lifting your rod tip another foot to get the bait to lift off the bottom and drift back to the floor again while slowly reeling in the slack. Then repeating the process.
Drop and drag: You can also left the bait drop to the bottom of the floor and then slowly drag your bait along the bottom and then reeling in the slack.
Drop and Reel: If you notice that fish are suspended off the bottom, you can drop the Ned Rig until it is at the same depth as the fish and then slowly reel.

Pro Tips on how to fish the Ned Rig

Here are some pro tips on how to fish the Ned rig:

Use a small jighead and soft plastic bait: The small size of the rig is one of its key advantages. The rate of the bait’s fall plays a big part in the effectiveness of this lure. Some anglers are concerned that you can’t catch the biggest bass with this rig but you definitely can catch big fish when using a small rig.
Fish it slow: The Ned rig is designed to be fished slowly and steadily, so take your time and be patient.
Fish cover: The Ned Rig does really well when its skipped under cover such as docks and letting it sink to the bottom.
Pay attention to the bottom: The Ned rig is best fished on or just above the bottom, so pay attention to your line and how it is reacting to the bottom structure.
Experiment with different retrieves: Try different retrieves, such as a slow lift-and-drop or a steady swimming motion, to see what works best in different conditions.
Use a spinning rod with a fast action: A rod with a fast action will allow you to feel the bottom and detect bites more effectively.
Pull when setting the hook: When the fish does pick up your bait, pull on your rod to set the hook.
Keep your line tight: Maintaining a tight line will help you feel the bottom and detect bites more effectively.
Use a fluorocarbon or braided line: Fluorocarbon and braided lines are more sensitive and have a lower stretch, which can help you detect bites more effectively.
Pay attention to the weather: The Ned rig can be effective in a variety of weather conditions, but be sure to adjust your approach for different conditions (e.g., use a slower retrieve in cold water or a faster retrieve in warmer water).
Be persistent: Fishing the Ned rig requires patience and persistence, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t get bites right away. Stick with it and you will eventually be rewarded with some nice catches.

Brief History of the Ned Rig

The Ned rig, also known as the Midwest finesse rig or the finesse worm rig, was developed by professional bass fisherman Ned Kehde and has evolved over decades. Ned, who was looking for a more finesse-oriented approach to bass fishing, came up with the rig as a way to catch more fish in pressured situations or when the fish were less active. The rig quickly gained popularity among other bass fishermen, and has since become a staple in many anglers’ tackle box.

Conclusion

Ned Rig fishing has become popular because it is so easy for both beginners and experts to rig and fish. You can fish the Neg Rig at any time but it is often used during cold weather or a storm when fish are sluggish. Even though the Ned Rig is small and light, it can hook some monster bass.

By following the tips and techniques outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to becoming a Ned rig master. So give it a try and see for yourself why the Ned rig is such a popular and effective fishing setup.

If you would like to learn about some of the other types of rigs, checkout the Carolina Rig and the Drop Shot Rig.