Another Ned Rig Trick

[Ham]

I carry 12 colors and I have caught fish on every color I have tried. Watermelon red surprisingly has not worked that well for me.

Hard to go wrong with GP.

[Guest]

GP/red & GP/orange are the only 2 colors that I use.

"Keep it simple stupid"

[dtrs5kprs]

what is everybodys fav color or colors that seem to work for the ned rig?

PBJ anytime, anywhere. After that GP, EZ money (GP and wmelon laminate for those days you are confused ;-) ), Cali craw, anything green. The GP/orange is a great color, but the quality is inconsistent. Looked at some at cabela's yesterday that were eighty percent orange. I do not order those online anymore.

In bright sun they do sometimes show a preference for wmelon or wmelon candy.

Surprisingly the pearl and shad colors have been the worst. No idea why.

All the colors work in small lakes and ponds, including June bug, black blue, etc.

[J-Doc]

So would a jig like this work in a 1/16oz and 1/8oz jighead? It’s not a mushroom head but I’m not sure why the mushroom head is such a necessity for the action on the worm. This is a 1/0 hook also.

http://www.arkiejigs.com/Arkie-Double-Keeper-Barb-Ball-Head-Jigs-Sickel-p/pbhs.htm

I used these in a 1/8oz for deeper bottom presentation on 6lb Nanofill and it worked good for me.

http://www.arkiejigs.com/ARKIE-WEEDLESS-STAND-UP-HEADS-p/wmhp.htm

[Guest]

JDoc,

That hook is garbage IMO, I started out with that jighead & it cost me a LOT of fish.

There are much better options out there.

I was told by the ZMAN rep that they were going to introduce a jighead with the weedguard sometime this winter.

[J-Doc]

Why garbage? Seemed to work pretty good for me on most all of their hooks and jigs including the crappie gear.

[Guest]

Why garbage? Seemed to work pretty good for me on most all of their hooks and jigs including the crappie gear.

It not as sharp as mustads or gammies, not good for the "no hookset method"

It might work for you, but didnt for me. Good luck

[dtrs5kprs]

Why garbage? Seemed to work pretty good for me on most all of their hooks and jigs including the crappie gear.

The sickle cost me a black that would have been over 7# in 2012. Had high hopes for it. Think it has too much flex, and don't think the turned down point helps either. Something is especially wrong with the #2 size. It sort of runs counter to the idea of gap and the effect the line between the eye and point creates on hooksets.

The sickle is wicked sharp, and seems a good crappie hook, but does not work well in the Ned, for whatever reason. The 3/0 is a decent ball/dart hook.

I've put a lot of different brands and size in Ned heads since 2011, and that sickle is not one I will revisit. The gamakatsu 114 is another. Way too light.

[J-Doc]

So what IS the best hook setup then?

[dtrs5kprs]

So what IS the best hook setup then?

Absolute best in terms of penetration is the Owner needlepoint, but it does not hold up. Rust, bending out on good fish, flat out breaking. It is a sticker though.

Gamakatsu 604 in size #1 is very good. It is small for size, but heavy wire. Points tend to roll on occasion, which ruins the head- no good way to sharpen that point. Very pricey hook. In the $35-$40/100ct area retail.

Believe the Mustad 32833 is the best all around answer. size #2. Basically same size as the gammie, and as sharp. Slightly heavier wire than the gammie. Mustad's point holds up better over time. This hook has a short leg length (from shank to eye), which effectively creates a wider gap, and better hook ups. Was turned on to this hook by a gentleman who guides all species in KS- hybrids, brownies, walleye, blacks, whites.

I am a hook snob and love the 604, but mostly run the Mustad anymore. It is a "fisherman's hook". Sticks 'em, and gets right on to finding the next one. A real between the tackles runner.

On either the 604 or the Mustad I normally open up the bite a little with pliers. Like the old idea on flipping jig hooks. Get it started into the fish a little faster.