The Ned And A Jerkbait

[Smithvillesteve]

Happy New Year to all the users of this site! A couple of questions for anyone out there willing to give me some helpful info. 1) I've used a jerkbait several times in the winter and early spring at Table Rock and some other Mo lakes and have NEVER had any success. Now, i dont have much confidence in it because of that so i always go back to my jig and pig or a grub. I've tried reeling fast 5 or 6 cranks, then a jerk, jerk pause technique most of the time. No success. Any info here on the jerkbait would be welcomed. How? When? Where? 2) What is "the Ned?" Thanks and good health and fishing to all!!

Sincerely,

Smithville Steve

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Hi Steve, I can't really help you on the jerkbait, as I have not had any luck myself. I am not completely sure on the best uses of them. The Ned is dicussed in full throughout the site. Just search Ned Rig, and you will see many posts on how it is used, and made.

here is a good link. http://everything-smallmouth.com/ned-rig-fishing/

Remember to post what you find, catch or even if you don't. Thanks.

[Champ188]

Steve,

I will answer the jerk bait portion of the question and leave the Ned Rig to those more knowledgable/capable with it ... calling dtrs5kprs

I've become a decent hand with a jerkbait over the past decade and I can tell you this about it ... all of my better days with it are when I commit completely and throw nothing else. I know that's hard to do when you don't have much confidence in something, but it will definitely help you start getting bit on it. If you don't think you can commit a full day, how about 4 hours?

Here are what I consider some basic conditions for a good jerkbait bite ...

• Wind (seek areas with at least a ripple on the water and preferably a chop)
• Cloud cover (not a requirement but it helps; on sunny days, you can create your on "darkness" by seeking out shady banks)
• Surface temps of 40-55

On Table Rock, you can nearly always find winter bass on 45-degree chunk rock banks. The presence of standing timber is optional but usually a plus. Personally, I concentrate 99% of my efforts within 150 yards of where the bank ends in a point or bluff end. I know some guys will get on a long bank and spend hours fishing all the way down it, but I find that staying within 150 yards of where it ends is more productive. Be sure to give extra attention to transition areas ... where the bank gets flatter or deeper, the rock changes from big chunks to gravel, etc.

The right equipment is also critical to success. I prefer a medium power, fast action rod in a length of 6-6 to 6-9. If you use a medium-heavy power or extra-fast tip, you are likely to pull the bait away from the fish or pull the hooks free during the fight. Next, you want the smoothest, highest-quality reel you can afford. Long casts are essential to success. I spool my Lew's Tournament Series reel with 8-pound P-Line CXX monofilament (don't use fluorocarbon; it sinks and will take your jerkbait down with it). The 8-pound helps with long casts and also allows the bait to dive to its maximum depth, and since it doesn't sink, it doesn't affect the lure's delicate balance that allows it to suspend motionless.

Finally, bait choice is also very important. On Table Rock in water temps of 45-55, I strictly throw a Spro McStick 110 or the 4.75-inch RC STX made by Luck-E-Strike. In the Spro baits, it's hard to beat the Blue Bandit color. Other good ones for me are the Chrome Shad (best on sunny days), Norman Flake and Ghost Table Rock Shad. In the RC STX, some good colors are Black Stardust Shad, Pro Blue, Herringbone Chartreuse and French Pearl.

Below 45 degrees, I often go to a smaller-profile, deeper-diving bait like the Jackall Squirrel 79SP or the Spro McRip 85. Favorite colors in the Jackall are SG Threadfin and Chartreuse Striped Ayu. The Spro McRip colors the I favor are Blue Bandit and Chrome Shad.

As for cadence, sounds like you have the right idea already. The warmer the water, the shorter the pause between twitches. Yesterday where I was fishing, it was 44-47. My pauses were 5-10 seconds. Seemed about 7 was perfect. I make the longest cast I can, then reel down hard for 7-8 turns, giving one good twitch at the end of those turns to ensure I'm at max depth. Then I work my bait pretty much all the way back to the boat ... some days you get short-lined at the boat quite often. If that's happening, you may want to try lengthening your pauses.

Last thing is boat position ... if you are alone or with someone who will share the front deck with you, you may want to sit your boat within 15-20 yards of the 45-degree bank you are fishing and throw basically parallel to the bank. This will help keep your bait in the strike zone longer. I find that most of my jerkbait bites come in 10-30 feet of water, so I try to keep my lure in that zone most of the time.

Steve, I hope this helps you get some more bites (and confidence) in your jerk bait fishing. Remember, commit to it and don't put it down after 30 minutes and no bites.

[dtrs5kprs]

Steve,

I will answer the jerk bait portion of the question and leave the Ned Rig to those more knowledgable/capable with it ... calling dtrs5kprs

I've become a decent hand with a jerkbait over the past decade and I can tell you this about it ... all of my better days with it are when I commit completely and throw nothing else. I know that's hard to do when you don't have much confidence in something, but it will definitely help you start getting bit on it. If you don't think you can commit a full day, how about 4 hours?

Here are what I consider some basic conditions for a good jerkbait bite ...

• Wind (seek areas with at least a ripple on the water and preferably a chop)
• Cloud cover (not a requirement but it helps; on sunny days, you can create your on "darkness" by seeking out shady banks)
• Surface temps of 40-55

On Table Rock, you can nearly always find winter bass on 45-degree chunk rock banks. The presence of standing timber is optional but usually a plus. Personally, I concentrate 99% of my efforts within 150 yards of where the bank ends in a point or bluff end. I know some guys will get on a long bank and spend hours fishing all the way down it, but I find that staying within 150 yards of where it ends is more productive. Be sure to give extra attention to transition areas ... where the bank gets flatter or deeper, the rock changes from big chunks to gravel, etc.

The right equipment is also critical to success. I prefer a medium power, fast action rod in a length of 6-6 to 6-9. If you use a medium-heavy power or extra-fast tip, you are likely to pull the bait away from the fish or pull the hooks free during the fight. Next, you want the smoothest, highest-quality reel you can afford. Long casts are essential to success. I spool my Lew's Tournament Series reel with 8-pound P-Line CXX monofilament (don't use fluorocarbon; it sinks and will take your jerkbait down with it). The 8-pound helps with long casts and also allows the bait to dive to its maximum depth, and since it doesn't sink, it doesn't affect the lure's delicate balance that allows it to suspend motionless.

Finally, bait choice is also very important. On Table Rock in water temps of 45-55, I strictly throw a Spro McStick 110 or the 4.75-inch RC STX made by Luck-E-Strike. In the Spro baits, it's hard to beat the Blue Bandit color. Other good ones for me are the Chrome Shad (best on sunny days), Norman Flake and Ghost Table Rock Shad. In the RC STX, some good colors are Black Stardust Shad, Pro Blue, Herringbone Chartreuse and French Pearl.

Below 45 degrees, I often go to a smaller-profile, deeper-diving bait like the Jackall Squirrel 79SP or the Spro McRip 85. Favorite colors in the Jackall are SG Threadfin and Chartreuse Striped Ayu. The Spro McRip colors the I favor are Blue Bandit and Chrome Shad.

As for cadence, sounds like you have the right idea already. The warmer the water, the shorter the pause between twitches. Yesterday where I was fishing, it was 44-47. My pauses were 5-10 seconds. Seemed about 7 was perfect. I make the longest cast I can, then reel down hard for 7-8 turns, giving one good twitch at the end of those turns to ensure I'm at max depth. Then I work my bait pretty much all the way back to the boat ... some days you get short-lined at the boat quite often. If that's happening, you may want to try lengthening your pauses.

Last thing is boat position ... if you are alone or with someone who will share the front deck with you, you may want to sit your boat within 15-20 yards of the 45-degree bank you are fishing and throw basically parallel to the bank. This will help keep your bait in the strike zone longer. I find that most of my jerkbait bites come in 10-30 feet of water, so I try to keep my lure in that zone most of the time.

Steve, I hope this helps you get some more bites (and confidence) in your jerk bait fishing. Remember, commit to it and don't put it down after 30 minutes and no bites.

You rang?

The Ned is the stupidest looking, fish catching-est little deal, maybe ever. In short, a button or mushroom head in the 1/32-1/8oz range, half of a zman zinkerz or strike king zero (the elaztech plastic is critical), and a drop shot rod with six pound fluorocarbon.

Used to suggest folks throw it on gravel in pockets and creeks, but increasingly use it everywhere. Spawn coves, swing banks, main lake stuff. One foot to forty feet.

Don't get in a hurry with it. It fishes better the slower you go. Dead stop also applies to boat speed. Will often spend an entire day on one point, or in two or so pockets.

Fight the urge to cut a senko or other stick. They will work, but will cost you many (underlined and bold printed "many") fish. The stretchy stuff is like running hot ammo in a rifle made for it. It is unreal on brown fish.

Tons of info on the forum about it, also known as Midwest finesse rig, little rig, the varmint. Check out mid April to June of 2014.

Other good info available here:

http://www.in-fisherman.com/author/nkehde/

http://www.zmanfishing.com/cms/nedrig.html

A pic or two:

*** It will work on Smithville and Mozingo too.

[Champ188]

Good stuff, Dave. Thanks for chiming in. I think we gave Steve a plateful to chew on.

[dtrs5kprs]

Good stuff, Dave. Thanks for chiming in. I think we gave Steve a plateful to chew on.

And nothing was mentioned about that FSU sweatshirt.

[Champ188]

And nothing was mentioned about that FSU sweatshirt.

Let me just say right now that I hope Jameis Winston sent in his NFL paperwork first thing this morning. I am a proud Florida State fan even today after that shellacking they took from Oregon. But I'm done with Winston and his drama/distractions. He's a true talent, but just like Johnny Football, I've seen 5-year-olds who are more emotionally mature. I'm ready for him to become someone else's problem.

Just for clarity, the Razorbacks are my No. 1 passion, but I lived in Pensacola long enough (3.5 years) to develop quite an affection for the Noles.

[Guest]

One thing that I learned from Ned & dtrs5kprs, don't go pre rigging a bunch of jigheads.

The hooks will rust inside the elaztech & you wont know it until your fighting a fish & the hook breaks in half.

Other than that, its the most amazing finesse technique that Ive used in many years.

I've all but hung up the shaky heads, gitzits, & trick worms.

Btw, those are some fine looking jigheads.

[dtrs5kprs]

Let me just say right now that I hope Jameis Winston sent in his NFL paperwork first thing this morning. I am a proud Florida State fan even today after that shellacking they took from Oregon. But I'm done with Winston and his drama/distractions. He's a true talent, but just like Johnny Football, I've seen 5-year-olds who are more emotionally mature. I'm ready for him to become someone else's problem.

Just for clarity, the Razorbacks are my No. 1 passion, but I lived in Pensacola long enough (3.5 years) to develop quite an affection for the Noles.

Well said. Have to wonder how much better they could have been if he had showed up ready to conduct himself like a man, in good times and bad.

We are a Duck house, just got done hanging my boy's Deanthony Thomas jersey for the next round. Even my nine year olds ran a spread option this fall. FSU really worried me going in. Think (like a lot of teams) they hurt themselves by giving up on the power run.

On the plus...looks like 'sconsin south might be getting it together.

[dtrs5kprs]

One thing that I learned from Ned & dtrs5kprs, don't go pre rigging a bunch of jigheads.

The hooks will rust inside the elaztech & you wont know it until your fighting a fish & the hook breaks in half.

Other than that, its the most amazing finesse technique that Ive used in many years.

I've all but hung up the shaky heads, gitzits, & trick worms.

Btw, those are some fine looking jigheads.

Yeah, that rust is sneaky. I usually put together two or three at most. Maybe more if it is going to be cold and windy, or if the kids are with me.

You can get by with it on the Shadz and some of the other baits without salt.