Zman Baits On The Ned Rig

[bluebasser86]

Normal stick baits work alright on the Ned but not nearly as well as the Zman baits. We catch tons of smallies out of the local lakes on a Ned rig with a Zinker in Kansas.

As a side note, I got info from an employee at the Olathe BPS that Ned Kedhe, the guy for whom the Ned rig is named after, caught a new Kansas state record smallmouth from Lake Shawnee in Topeka, I'm assuming on his namesake rig. I've fished that lake and had no idea it had smallmouth that size but nothing official about it yet and no idea if he's submitted it for an official record or not. Supposedly it weighed 6lbs 10ounces.

[dtrs5kprs]

Normal stick baits work alright on the Ned but not nearly as well as the Zman baits. We catch tons of smallies out of the local lakes on a Ned rig with a Zinker in Kansas.

As a side note, I got info from an employee at the Olathe BPS that Ned Kedhe, the guy for whom the Ned rig is named after, caught a new Kansas state record smallmouth from Lake Shawnee in Topeka, I'm assuming on his namesake rig. I've fished that lake and had no idea it had smallmouth that size but nothing official about it yet and no idea if he's submitted it for an official record or not. Supposedly it weighed 6lbs 10ounces.

Ned caught it and weighed it, but did not go through any of the official steps. He put her back in the lake. Was a couple of weeks ago.

[TRRANGER]

Dave, just for my knowledge, I think I got this figured out. It is basically a senko style bait cut in half and put on a jig head and fished like a jig or shakey head or grub. Right???

[dtrs5kprs]

Dave, just for my knowledge, I think I got this figured out. It is basically a senko style bait cut in half and put on a jig head and fished like a jig or shakey head or grub. Right???

Close. Your bait description is about right, and it is like a jig, shakey head, and grub, while simultaneously not being at all like any of those baits. There are as many differences as similarities.

The first difference is simply the size of the head. Most folks get the heebie jeebies when they see how small these heads are (Brett can attest). A #1 or #2 hook on a 1/8oz head is at the big end of the range. A 1/32oz head with a #6 or #4 at the light end. Drastically changes the presentation vs. something like a shakey head. Second difference is speed. If you try to present it as quickly as a jig, shakey head, or swimming a grub, you are going to smoke it right past a lot of fish that would otherwise eat it. Think slow, as in not moving, with the boat not moving at all. It is not unusual to spend 3 to 4 hours on one point or in one good spawn cove. Slower than slow. TM down, motor off, and bait kept wet. Try to catch every single bass there. Don't ever try to feel it, or watch your line for bites. It needs slack to do its thing. If you feel it well, you probably have too heavy of a head rigged. Be sure if you go to something like a 1/8oz head it is for depth and speed control, not to add feel. It will cost you fish.

I actually fish it out deeper and closer to bottom than Ned prefers.

Review the info on Ned's blog, or check out the In Fisherman 2013 Bass Guide which has a nice feature on the little rig. There are many pics there which help. It is hard to get your head around the size of this rig. I thought I was a finesse angler, and really was, but it was "standard" finesse...smoke grubs, small worms, split shot, etc. This is super or ultra finesse. Totally different deal.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/core-experts/ned-kehde/blog/

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/05/10/midwest-finesse-goes-to-table-rock-lake-according-to-david-reeves/

The half stick worms are almost always good. In colder water half of a fish doc will work. In summer a tiny brush hog, tiny paca chunk, or a cut down chompers drop shot worm will get going. There are also other wrinkles Ned covers in some depth...hair and feather jigs (think casting and swimming a float and fly jig), customization, etc. This rig is just the cornerstone of a completely different way of approaching fishing.

[Bullshoalscat]

where can you buy these jig heads

[RSBreth]

where can you buy these jig heads

Gophertackle.com

[dtrs5kprs]

where can you buy these jig heads

My heads are home brewed, but Gophers will certainly work. Also the Outkast Money Jig, which is available at tackle warehouse and others. Make my own because I like a guard (although the above pic is open), prefer no collar, and am picky about hooks. I started doing it with the Outkast head, have also used small ball and football heads, minnow heads, crappie sliders at times.

[Ham]

The finesse stuff always "works", but it is NOT always the best option. This was hard for me to learn when I went almost whole hog into Slider fishing 20 years ago. That's a purty jighead you made. As fired up as you've gotten everybody over the Ned Rig, you need to mass produce your favorite jigheads and offer them for sale.

I'll likely be placing a Gopher order soon. I'm leaning towards unpainted jigheads because they are a little less expensive and I've never been able to tell that a painted jighead made any diffetrence to the fish. Your thoughts on painted jigheads?

[dtrs5kprs]

The finesse stuff always "works", but it is NOT always the best option. This was hard for me to learn when I went almost whole hog into Slider fishing 20 years ago. That's a purty jighead you made. As fired up as you've gotten everybody over the Ned Rig, you need to mass produce your favorite jigheads and offer them for sale.

I'll likely be placing a Gopher order soon. I'm leaning towards unpainted jigheads because they are a little less expensive and I've never been able to tell that a painted jighead made any diffetrence to the fish. Your thoughts on painted jigheads?

You are right Ham, especially if you are looking for big bites. The little stuff will catch nice fish, even some big ones, but it is not a big bite deal. I don't tmt fish, I go to catch fish, so the tiny stuff has been a great option for me. If the wind is up and they are eating a blade, I will be throwing one. You have to take what the lake and the fish give you. Have given some thoughts to making the heads on a larger scale, but with the guards the process is super slow. Even having a bunch of molds would not speed it up much.

On paint...I mostly use brown and green pumpkin, but have caught fish on all sorts of colors, plus plain. I don't think it matters much, unless it is something bright that could turn fish off (chartreuse, orange). Ned throws a lot of red and chartreuse, but that is in water of a much different color.

[dtrs5kprs]

This is a very nice piece by Ned. Most recent addition to his ongoing month by month coverage. Covers use of the rig throughout last month, by a variety of anglers and on a variety of waters. Some nice size as well.

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2013/05/09/a-month-by-month-guide-to-midwest-finesse-april-2013/