Ned Kehde, a Midwest angler, offered a small do-nothing seeming bait to bass fishermen a few years ago, and delicate fishing irrevocably changed.

The Ned rig, named after its designer, grabbed center stage in the elegant fishing industry and has yet to surrender that position, firmly establishing itself alongside other finesse fishing stalwarts such as the shaky head, drop shot, and wacky rig.

The Ned rig, a very simple lure, and presentation at its heart, is the most nothing-looking item we’ve ever seen. Still, it’s also one of the most potent fish catchers. We were suspicious when we first saw the lure and listened to all the buzz, and we dismissed it as the new shaky head.

However, we saw hardcore fishermen utilizing a Ned rig in tournaments, so we succumbed and gave it a chance.

This article will provide some crucial tips on utilizing a Ned rig for bass, why to choose it, and how to fish with one.

What Is a Ned Rig for Bass Fishing?

The most significant element of a Ned rig for bass is the jig head, often known as the Ned head. A flat surface on a Ned head lets the bait rise when dragged over the bottom. The line knot should always be at a 90-degree angle to the hook shaft to help the bait stand up as you bring it down the bottom.

From there, you have many soft plastic alternatives to pair with the Ned head, but that’s not how it was. In the early stages of the Ned rig, the most typical method was to cut a conventional size soft plastic worm in half and use the tail end to finish the rig. Again, it doesn’t appear to be much.

Still, we quickly discovered that it’s an exceptionally efficient small bait for being bit. The fact that it doesn’t look like much implies that it seems a bit like everything. And it’s the dimensions that make it so practical. It’s not a scary bait for bass but a simple morsel to scrape up from the bottom.

 

Why Choose a Ned Rig for Bass?

You should consider a Ned rig for bass because it is incredibly adaptable, used year-round, and successfully catches all species of bass in a mixture of fisheries. In selecting when and where to cast a bass fishing Ned rig, there are two crucial factors to consider. You want to ensure that fish interact with the bottom and that the bottom is somewhat clean. 

Neither of these is an absolute must; instead, they are excellent general guidelines.

The classic Ned rig comprises an open hook, making it the polar opposite of weedless. Surprisingly, the bait swims well over pebbles and other tiny covers. The key reasons are the shape of the lure’s head and the hook’s position, which is up and away from the cover.

However, if you want to get a bit deeper into the cover, several firms now sell Ned heads with weed protectors. These weedless versions let you fish more and denser cover, which makes them perfect for beginners and recreational fishermen.

To summarize, here’s a list of reasons why the Ned rig for bass is so effective:

• Superb action: This is the only fishing rig with this kind of motion. Despite its appearance outside the water, its calm, gliding fall particularly appeals to bass.
• Quiet profile: The simple, tiny profile of the Ned rig does not frighten fish, and bass generally prefers smaller baits.
• Finesse technique: In contrast to other finesse approaches, fishing the Ned rig allows you to cover water quickly.
• Superb imitation: The rig’s small, stubby form lends it a craw-like appearance and presence, particularly while sitting on the bottom.
• Superb bass attractor: The appealing falling movement and size on the bottom will frequently pique the interest of bass, and the only way for them to learn more is to bite.

How to Fish a Ned Rig for Bass?

After you’ve rigged the Ned, the rest is simple since you can efficiently fish it in nearly any hard cover condition if you cast it on a slack line. Fantastic places to fish the Ned include points, bluff banks, boat docks, and any place bass prefer to congregate.

Once you’ve located a likely location, cast the Ned out and allow it to sink on a slack line. Keep an eye out for the ‘tick’ that denotes a fish. Often, there will be no indications of a fish striking, but bass will be on when you reel up to reposition the lure.

Despite its simplicity, anglers should be aware of one thing when fishing the Ned rig for bass: you should not place the hook traditionally. If you jerk on it hard enough, the little gap on the hook will pull out of the bass’s mouth. Instead, lean in and begin reeling as soon as you feel the bite. It may appear absurd, but the bass will hook themselves.

TACKLE USED

• WORM – Berkley Power Minnow
• HOOK – Ned Rig Hooks, Size 2
• ROD – Spinning Rod, 6’10” Medium
• REEL – Abu Garcia 2500/3000 Spinning Reel
• BRAID LINE (main) – Spiderwire Braided Line, color – Flash Green, 15-pound
• LINE (leader) – Trilene Fluorocarbon Leader Line, 10 pound

Ned Rigs for Bass: Final Words

The Ned rig for bass is perhaps one of the simplest and most effective finesse rigs for hooking bass. It elicits bites simply by being trailed down the bottom. Although it is not necessarily the largest, this Ned rig setup for bass will get the interest of bass and has the potential to capture lunkers.

It is an excellent bait for novices. However, its efficiency is necessary for tournament fishermen and other seasoned bass-fishing veterans. With so many boats on the lake, a sound bite scorer like this benefits all fishermen when planning their next bass fishing trips.

If you’re interested in finesse fishing, the Ned rig is one of the tactics you should have on hand. It’s a bait that could work when nothing else does.

FAQs

Q: When should you use a Ned Rig?

A: You can use a Ned Rig almost everywhere. The Ned Rig is ideally adapted to both shallow and deep water, performing in still and flowing waterways such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers.

Q: Will Ned Rig catch big bass?

A: The Ned Rig is suitable for catching different-sized fish and different types of bass, including big bass. There are a lot of claims that the Ned rig only serves for catching small fish, but this claim is unsupported.

Q: What is the best weight for a Ned rig?

A: Ned heads are lightweight and give the proper motions in the water. There is no weighty jig head when utilizing this lure. Anglers most commonly use weights of 3/32oz, 1/8oz, 5/32oz, 3/16oz, and 1/4oz.

Q: What line do you use for Ned rig?

A: A 4 to 6-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon line would be ideal for utilizing a Ned rig for bass. You should be able to sense every vibration on the bottom or fish nibbling.

People Also Ask

Q: Can you use a Ned rig in summer?

A: Yes. Bass migrates to deep weedlines throughout the summer, and the best method to capture them is using a Ned Rig.

Q: What does the Ned rig imitate?

A: A Ned rig imitates crayfish but also resembles shrimp and other bottom-dwelling insects found in water.