The Ned rig came from Ned Kehde, a Kansas bass angler who developed the technique for clear, pressured Midwestern reservoirs. It works everywhere and is one of the best beginner finesse rigs because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
Components
| Component | Purpose | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Ned head (mushroom jig) | Flat bottom stands bait upright | 1/15oz, 1/10oz, 1/6oz |
| ElaZtech stick bait | Buoyant plastic, stands tail-up at rest | 2.75–4 inch TRD |
| Fluorocarbon | Near-invisible in clear water | 5–8lb |
How to Rig
1. Tie the Jig Head
Tie the Ned head jig directly to your line using the Palomar Knot:
- Double 6 inches of fluorocarbon
- Pass through the jig head’s eye
- Tie a loose overhand knot with the doubled line
- Pass the loop over the jig head
- Wet thoroughly and cinch
The Palomar is important for Ned rigs — the doubled line through the small jig head eye handles the abrasion of rocks and gravel that Ned rigs constantly contact.
2. Rig the Bait
Standard nose hook: Push the hook point through the nose of the plastic 1/4 inch, straight back (not angled). The plastic should ride straight on the hook with no bunching. The flat bottom of the mushroom head and the buoyant plastic tail will orient the rig correctly when it hits the bottom — tail up, head down.
Color: Start with natural colors (green pumpkin, smoke, watermelon) in clear water. Brighter colors (chartreuse, red) in stained water.
Fishing the Ned Rig
The Basic Retrieve
- Cast to structure or open bottom
- Let the rig sink to the bottom on a semi-slack line (tight line kills the natural fall)
- Let it sit for 5–15 seconds — this is the most important part
- Slowly drag the rig 12–18 inches with the rod tip
- Let it settle again; repeat
The Ned rig’s power is in the pause. Many anglers fish it too fast — the tail-up presentation only works while the rig is at rest.
Dragging on Hard Bottom
On gravel, rock, and sand, the Ned rig shines. The flat-head jig slides along the bottom, the bait tail wobbles and then stands up at rest. Long, slow pulls followed by extended pauses. This is the most natural feeding mimic in bass fishing.
Reeling Slowly
A very slow reel retrieve (barely moving) with the rod low to the water gives the Ned rig a slow swim just off the bottom. This works especially well over flat, clean bottom areas.
Ned Rig vs. Other Finesse Rigs
| Rig | Best When |
|---|---|
| Ned rig | Hard bottom, open water, any depth, neutral/negative fish |
| Drop shot | Suspended fish, vertical presentation, specific depth targeting |
| Shaky head | Similar to Ned but with larger bait; works in grass |
| Wacky rig | Shallow, cover edges, fish feeding actively |