Random Thoughts On The Ned, Turd, Varmint, Stupid Rig, Etc

[gitnby]

Have fished the Ned about 75% of my fishing time the past 2 weeks, and I figure I have averaged right about a keeper/hour in 6 days out on the water, or a total of around 27 hours.

26 keepers by my count and only 4 shorts. Granted, no monsters, but some nice healthy fish.

That's not exactly knockin em dead, but it's consistent fish-catching, especially for Winter.

Last Spring, before I really knew what the heck I was doing with this rig, the results were even better both for size and numbers.

So, here's what I've figured out, or at least observed:

-when you think you're fishing it too slow, fish it s-l-o-w-e-r ! Seriously, you have to believe there is a fish nearby. fish it on slightly slack line, and shake it now and then without advancing the bait.

-1/8 head is better in chunky rock, 1/16 better on gravel or dunking around docks. Also, the 1/8 doesn't hang up as much, and is easier to snap loose.

-stretching out only the part of the bait behind the hook bend makes the bait stand up taller. Assume it has to do with the salt releasing and floating the tail up higher?

-a high % of my fish have been BETWEEN, not in or under docks, on chunk or mixed rock banks. Cruisers? Probably?

-I believe that with this bait, you are not throwing TO the fish, as much as you are setting a trap for them as they pass nearby. Which, again, is why you work it slow.

-PBJ is THE color!

And, here's the most amazing thing! (I'll probably hex myself on this one?)

I have yet to have a fish come off! Every single fish was hooked in the top of the mouth with that silly little, tiny hook on 6 # line.

In my 45+ years of fishing the Rock, I've always had a go-to bait that I had confidence in, and could always rely on in all 4 seasons

From the old jig + eel to the Fat Gitzit, the brown worm, road runner, silver spoon, regular tube Gitzit, the Fish Doctor, Yamamoto grub, etc.

This bait may just beat them all? At least until the next thing comes along?

[J-Doc]

Nice write up. I've been tinkering with it. Just can't stay in it long enough. The tube has been working for me and I like feeling a bait vs soaking it and waiting. I'll have to get past that. Once I locate fish, soak it and wait I guess.

What's the Fish Doctor?

[gitnby]

The tube is a great bait! And probably more versatile than anything else I can think of ?

You can swim it, jig it, free-fall it, crawl it, etc., etc., etc.

I'm not sure that the Ned will out-fish any specific bait at any specific time?

I just think it will out-fish everything else when you're not sure what to throw.

Does that make any sense? (If Yogi Berra was a fisherman, he would understand)

The fish doctor? Seriously, with your screen name, you don't know that it is?

Made by Zoom, it's a small, straight, rounded on both ends,plastic finesse worm. usually fished on a split-shot rig or shaky head, or C-rig. flat on one side, which gives it a unique sliding action. Green pumpkin seems to be the best color.

I have caught more fish on it than any other bait, by far!

[magicwormman]

I would guess the fish doctor has caught more bass on the Rock, than any other single bait. The ned has a good chance of surpassing the doctor for total numbers. I honestly feel the main reason is that both lures are very easy lure to fish (minimal talent required) Even I can catch fish on it.

[dtrs5kprs]

Don really nailed a lot of it.

Slow and slower is the first and most important thing. You are not looking for fish or eliminating water with it. You are trying to catch them. Put the tmt pattern finding mentality back in the rod box and just fish.

There is nothing else like it between docks. Those little stretches others zip past to get to the next slip. Not really cruisers in the spring sense, just fish that live around docks. Remember, it is built on the idea that there are always fish in less than 15', and that really describes those places.

I think he also described the stretching well, though I do not stretch it on the head to prevent tearing it at the hook exit point. Thinking about it, I grab the cut end and pull on what amounts to the tail. That likely does leave the "head" more solid.

PBJ is nearly unstoppable. Not sure they get too color selective on it, but PBJ will always catch some.

Part of the fewer lost fish deal is due to the elaztech plastics. They simply end up holding them longer, partly due to texture, partly because they actually stick in their teeth. Especially true of the older worn out baits.

I do firmly believe it will out fish most other plastics day in and day out. There may be days they feed up and a grub or swimbait will catch them better, but few if any bottom baits will stay in the ring. I've seen it, in my boat, and following behind others. It is the bass vacuum.

Ken is also correct. It is a fantastic bait for casual anglers, but not an idiot bait. A skilled fisherman can turn it into a tool, pure and simple.

Guys...quit trying to feel it, quit trying to "work" it, and quit trying to feel the fish in the conventional bottom bait sense, and it will help you catch fish you never expected.

[Guest]

So, here's what I've figured out, or at least observed:

-when you think you're fishing it too slow, fish it s-l-o-w-e-r ! Seriously, you have to believe there is a fish nearby. fish it on slightly slack line, and shake it now and then without advancing the bait.

This is dead on, fishing slower actually generates more bites & increases your numbers.

Its counter intuitive to chunking & winding a crankbait for hours.

[Guest]

There is nothing else like it between docks. Those little stretches others zip past to get to the next slip. Not really cruisers in the spring sense, just fish that live around docks. Remember, it is built on the idea that there are always fish in less than 15', and that really describes those places.

I like to call these "do nothing" banks.

The little rig is deadly around old boatramps too.

[Guest]

I'm 50/50 on colors.

Green pumkin & orange

Green pumkin/red flake

PB&J will get outfished in certain cases by Green pumkin/red flake.

the only bad color is white, for whatever reason.

[dtrs5kprs]

I like to call these "do nothing" banks.

The little rig is deadly around old boatramps too.

Yep. The old prop wash holes. Buddy of mine thumped them with it at Stockton fishing those a couple of years back.

I'm 50/50 on colors.

Green pumkin & orange

Green pumkin/red flake

PB&J will get outfished in certain cases by Green pumkin/red flake.

the only bad color is white, for whatever reason.

There are major color consistency issues with the GP/Orange. Many bags are coming out with too much orange, almost like a methiolate color. Think the Canada Craw may replace it for me. Hopeful at least.

There is no explanation for the pearl. It just does not work well in the White River lakes. Has to be a profile issue, because a pearl swimbait or grub works on some of the same fish.

[Flysmallie]

Which is better? The cut ZinkerZ or the Finesse TRD? Besides the ZinkerZ be about 12.5 cents per bait cheaper.