The Ned Rig

Donnie

Donnie is a founder of Basshogg, avid bass fisherman and cottager.

What is a Ned Rig?

The Ned Rig, also known as the Midwest finesse rig or Turd Worm, has revolutionized the bass fishing world. This presentation has become a go-to option for anglers targeting bass in challenging conditions or pressured waters across the country. With its small profile and subtle action, the Ned rig can effectively mimic a variety of bass food sources, making it a favorite among anglers. Despite its growing popularity, many bass fishing enthusiasts remain unfamiliar with the Ned rig and its rigging techniques. But, the Ned rig is incredibly simple – just a small piece of soft plastic stick bait threaded onto a light 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jighead. This finesse fishing technique involves pairing small plastic worms, craws, or creatures with a light mushroom-style head, allowing it to easily float off the bottom. The rig was originally developed by renowned outdoor writer Ned Kehde, who popularized it in the Midwest, leading to the name “Ned rig.” Incorporating this rig into your bass fishing tactics can improve your chances of success, particularly when faced with challenging conditions.

What Jighead Should I use?

When it comes to choosing the right jighead weight for the Ned Rig, using the lightest option possible is key. This is because the bait is often hit on the fall, and a heavy jighead will cause it to sink straight to the bottom, bypassing any potential catches. Opting for a lighter head will help keep the bait in the strike zone for longer, which is crucial for maximizing the Ned Rig’s effectiveness. Additionally, lighter jigheads are less likely to get hung up on rocks or tangled in grass or algae along the bottom of the lake. Although there are situations where heavier 1/6 or 1/5 oz. jigheads are necessary, such as in deep water or strong currents, using a lighter head consistently will result in more bites. For shallow water lake or pond fishing in depths of 10 feet or less, we recommend using 1/10, 1/15, and 1/20 oz. jigheads as your go-to options.

How do I use the Ned Rig?

If you want to increase your chances of getting bites when using the Ned Rig, it’s important to slow down your presentation. This can be challenging, especially when using lightweight jigheads. Allow the bait to sink all the way to the bottom and let it sit there for a few seconds before starting to hop, drag, or swim it slowly along the bottom. While many bass fishermen are used to hard hooksets when power fishing, this approach is not effective with the Ned Rig and can even result in bent or pulled hooks. Instead, when setting the hook, reel tight and lean into the fish to load up the rod, applying just enough pressure to set the hook firmly in the bass’ mouth. To achieve this, it’s crucial to maintain a sharp hook point. We recommend carrying a small hook file with you when fishing with the Ned Rig to sharpen the hook point after a catch or when dragging the hook across rocks. Incorporating these tips into your Ned Rig strategy will help improve your chances of success on the water.

More About Baits and Line

To maximize your success with the Ned Rig, it’s important to experiment with different soft plastic baits that are suited to different conditions and times of the year. By selecting the right bait, you can match the predominant forage in different fisheries and increase your chances of attracting bites. While the Ned Rig is an effective tool for fishing pressured fish, it’s important to avoid over-utilizing certain profiles, as fish can become accustomed and resistant to them. If the bite slows down, switch things up by trying a completely different profile, such as hybrid worms, craws, gobies, reapers, or leeches, to surprise the fish with something they may not have seen before.

Though some anglers opt for fluorocarbon line, light braided line of 10 lb. test or less is better as it allows for longer casts with very lightweight jigheads. Tying on a light fluorocarbon leader is always recommended.

Summary

The Ned Rig can be used with any small Jig, or you can buy Jigs specially made for the Ned. You can cut your old or new Senkos or buy 4″ baits. Try varying your baits as well. Be patient, most bites will come on while the bait is sinking. Remember, with the smaller hooks you’ll have to hold back from the usual power hook setting. You can never have too many weapons when it comes to bass fishing. Hopefully this one comes in handy!

Check out the Bass Blogg for tips, gear recommendations and more!

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