Neat Tricks For The Ned Rig

[gitnby]

Earlier, I shared my method of snugging up the Zinkerz to the jig head.

Now, I've found another trick that solves the bunching up of the bait on the shank. The elastech material really is dense, and it's tough to get that hook lined up just right. Some may argue that the "scrunched up" look is desirable, but I like the straight and sleek look.

Take a few of the worms already cut in half and put them in the fridge or freezer for a few hours. This gets them a little firmer. I then drill a hole about 2/3 of the way into worm starting at cut end. I use the smallest dia. drill bit I have and put the worm lengthwise in the vise, or you can try another method to keep it straight and flat.

Dip your drill bit in water several times as you do it so the hot metal doesn't melt the bait.

When you're ready to rig it, dip bait in water and the hook will slide right in and be easier to snug up to head. Always use super glue at the head.

Don't think this affects hook set at all? May even help since the bait can slide a bit at the hook bend.

As I posted before, I always snip the cut end to make it concave so that it snugs up to any size round head. Just pinch the cut end of bait between your fingers and cut the 'bulge' with scissors. Then put a drop of super glue in that indentation right before you push the bait up that final fraction of an inch.

I think some of that glue actually sneaks down the hole I made, and makes it even a better hold on the hook than before?

I fished 4 days with one bait, and it still is on there perfectly, although it does have a few teeth marks on it. (from the fish, not from me or the vise)

[Chunk Rock]

Neat trick!... I will try that, thanks

[DerekB]

Thanks for the tips!

[Flippin]

Thanks for the info

[dtrs5kprs]

Don...I knew about some guys using water to get on barbs, but this the first I've heard of a Ned-sicle.

[Ham]

I still think Ned out to lean on Z man to have a line of Ned approved elaztech baits special for Ned rigging.

[Guest]

I still think Ned out to lean on Z man to have a line of Ned approved elaztech baits special for Ned rigging.

Your right about that, along with a line of jigheads.

[Guest]

deleted

[Ham]

Andy, you're lucky. Just leave them outside overnight and you can drill away in the morning. No need to put them in the icebox and upset the wife.

[gitnby]

Ok, but how do I explain this to the wife when she finds them in the fridge

Appetizers?

You don't HAVE to get em cold. I tried them at room temp and they were harder to work with.

I was afraid to freeze them, but that might work? Or they might break like the aforementioned popsicle?

Toughest part is keeping them from spinning when you first start the drill, which is why I tried the vice. Turn drill on before you first hit the elastech and it's easier.

Before I used the vice, I tried some skinning pliers, and they worked okay to hold it in place while drilling.

I first tried heating up a long finish nail and sticking it in the bait to make the channel, but you had to be quick with it, and it doesn't really displace much plastic.

If you had a drill press and a small bit, you could probably rig something up to keep them straight up and down.

I'm sure somebody will come up with a better idea on this, but I am very pleased with how this came out.

My wife always says I spend more time "playing with my baits" than I do fishing with them.

Or maybe she said I spent more time playing with my rod than using it?