Ned Rig - Need A Source For Head With Cable Guard

[dtrs5kprs]

Hey guys, I rarely post here, but check in every once in a awhile. I've known Ned for about 10 years, and got a chance to learn about the rig way back when it was "secret." Hopefully I can add a few tidbits that I've learned over the years.

dtrs5kprs is absolutely correct on the hook size. To me, the length of the shank is critical with as short of a bait as we are using. I've tried a number of different jigheads, but overall my favorite is the Gopher with the #2 red Mustad ultrapoint. With Gopher's centrifugal mold, I just prefer the flattened shape of the head that I don't think can be duplicated with a conventional mold. For the hook, I could care less about the color, but it is plated and doesn't rust as easily as the bronze hook. Downside though, is it is a more brittle hook. I've broke a few, but usually I had gotten plenty of use out of it already and gone through a few snags.

For a ready-made brushguard jig, I started using the Hayabusa Brush Easy head last year. They are expensive, but the hook size is right and high-quality. Brush guard worked well around all the timber at Truman.

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Hayabusa_Brush_Easy_Head/descpage-BEHH.html

Good to have your input. Hayabusa has a couple of heads that fit nicely into the system. If Gopher had a head with a guard I would likely use it. Used those and the Outkast heads the first year I tried it. Just felt limited in where I could fish it. Know it was not necessarily developed for fishing cover, but there sure are good ones in cover that will eat it.

If you fish it the way Ned does, swimming on bare banks, an open hook is fine. Bouncing it on the bottom, or in brush, or under docks, pretty much requires a guard of some kind.At least at Table Rock.

Brett...we all have a few wrinkles we keep quiet. Like no knot drop shot rigging, finesse punching, etc.

[huntest]

Dave

On the hayabusa jigs do you like the 16th oz?

[dtrs5kprs]

Dave

On the hayabusa jigs do you like the 16th oz?

1/16oz and 1/20oz.

[Pepe]

The twin wire ones take a little longer to make but if those work best that is what I will be making. I will be happy to make some and let you all know when they are ready.

I'm curious what you guys do when the wind picks up? do you go to a heavier head or just switch to something else?

[dtrs5kprs]

The twin wire ones take a little longer to make but if those work best that is what I will be making. I will be happy to make some and let you all know when they are ready.

I'm curious what you guys do when the wind picks up? do you go to a heavier head or just switch to something else?

Pull your hood up, and bear down on them. Stay with the 1/16oz out to 15'-20', then go up to the 1/8oz. In wind just keep the tip down as if fishing vertically. Have fished it when the wind was in the 25-30mph range and managed to catch fish. Remember, being able to feel the bait is not the goal. Being able to correctly present it is the goal. Feel is totally secondary.

Twin wires are really only necessary if you try to put it in really bad places. Even then, the singles come through fairly well, so necessary might be the wrong description. Again, you have to do what you can to not overpower the little baits, or throw off the profile of the little rig generally.

[fishingaddiction]

DC, Nice looking jig heads. I agree with Dave, the double weed guard could inhibit the action of the rig. I mostly fish sparse cover with the rig, so the single wire guard is generally good enough. I would certainly be interested in trying your jigs in 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32. Thanks for posting the pic.

[merc1997 Bo]

The twin wire ones take a little longer to make but if those work best that is what I will be making. I will be happy to make some and let you all know when they are ready.

I'm curious what you guys do when the wind picks up? do you go to a heavier head or just switch to something else?

just do not be making you twin guards on two separate points. take a look at trademark 3443116.

bo

[Alex Heitman]

Bo he isn't selling these. Just for personal use or for ozark angler members.

[dtrs5kprs]

Think most of us just stick two wires of slightly smaller diameter in the single guard slot for twin wires. It can be a booger to do, as the top one tends to roll around. Good number of local jigs made that way...hairy bug (think that is the name), chompers rock walker, etc. Also the Buckeye swim heads are made that way.

[Mitch f]

Good wires are hard to come by