Ned Rig

The "Ned Rig” (AKA the "Midwest finesse rig”) has taken the bass world by storm. It has rapidly become a go-to presentation for anglers fishing tough conditions or pressured waters. The Ned Rig excels when fishing gets tough because it has a small profile, a subtle action, and can be used to mimic a number of bass food sources. The Ned Rig consists of a small soft plastic stick or creature bait threaded onto a light 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jighead. The super light jighead imparts a really slow, gliding fall that big bass can’t resist. Once rigged, it can be effectively fished in almost any situation

Dynamite spots to fish the Ned are around points, bluff banks, boat docks and rip rap. Once you’ve found a likely spot, just throw the Ned out there and let it fall with a slack line. Watch your line as the bait falls for the telltale ‘tick’ that indicates a fish. You won’t often see any indication of a fish biting, but when you reel up to move the bait, there will be a fish on. Despite its ease to fish, there is one thing that anglers should know when fishing the Ned rig: don’t set the hook traditionally. The tiny gap on the hook has a tendency to pull out of the bass’ mouth on a heavy hookset. Instead, slowly reel as you lift up. It seems crazy, but the fish will hook themselves.