Nice Ned Rig article by Keith Jackson

[dtrs5kprs]

17 minutes ago, Quillback said:

Curious if anyone has tried out that new Lew's Ned rig rod?

I know Ned has one. I saw it at the Sports Show. He'd like it to be shorter,  I'd like it to be longer.

Played with one in a store. Can't remember if it was BPS or Fin and Feather. It's decent for the price. White rods bug me.

Generally, I am increasingly convinced 7'6" is the magic length for the little rig. Handles line better, buries the hook better at the end of a long cast, etc. I still use 6'6" and 6'9" sticks for the 1/16 and close quarters work. 

[Ham]

54 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

I know Ned has one. I saw it at the Sports Show. He'd like it to be shorter,  I'd like it to be longer.

Played with one in a store. Can't remember if it was BPS or Fin and Feather. It's decent for the price. White rods bug me.

Generally, I am increasingly convinced 7'6" is the magic length for the little rig. Handles line better, buries the hook better at the end of a long cast, etc. I still use 6'6" and 6'9" sticks for the 1/16 and close quarters work. 

I'd much rather have a flat black rod than a white one. I'm not going shorter than 6'", but I'm not sure I want longer than 7 foot. Anyway, I'll let errrbody pick what works best for them. Super Dave has this insane monster hookset. he has a set up that works great for him, but the "just reel into the fish and lift your rod" types would likely struggle with it.

The cheapo Lew's 7 foot UL that fishes a little heavier than the Browning Airstream requires a firmer hookset than some of my other rods, but it works just fine and it is inexpensive.

I hope Dave will tell the good folks the deets on that rod. Model number etc.

[Stein]

11 hours ago, Ham said:

Baby steps Stein. Get here and get ready to learn and learn and learn. 

LOL, yeah, I know, but since I can't be down there to fish for two more months all I can do is buy gear right now.

The learning curve is going to be LONG for this muddy water flatlander.  The only thing that might help me is that I smallie fish Canada a couple times a year so getting used to rocks and clearer water.

[vernon]

I picked up one of the St. Croix Eyecon's that Dave recommended and really like it for the Ned.  About $120.  Has great feel and casts longer than anything else I've tried with the Ned.  Also, add my name to the considerable list that thinks his heads are "head" and shoulders above all the others.  I have a pretty large collection of other makes and brands that will never get used since latching on to the Ozark Finesse heads.

To complete the setup I went with the Dave endorsed Daiwa Lexa spinning reel and spooled it with 6 lb. Invisx line (also suggested by Dave).  It all fits together remarkably well and I'm not much interested in experimenting any further.  Dave's already done all the heavy lifting when it comes to this style of fishing so I don't figure there's much sense in me wasting time (and lots of money) trying to one up the "godfather".  

I assume Ned is already the "king" so godfather seemed appropriate for Dave!  Although I still have 7 or 8 rods laying on the deck I'm not too sure why.  The only reason I pick one of them up anymore is to shake the dust/cobwebs off or to put them back in the rod box!

Thanks for all of your help by the way.

[BassBlind]

Dave - I love your shroom head jigs and can't thank you enough for making them and the info you share here on the Forum...

 

One question - I've noticed that your heads to not have a barb near the top of the jig to help keep the little guy from slipping down the hook. I now use super glue and it works pretty well, but just wondering if there was a reason you do not have a "barb bait keeper" on the jigs?

[dtrs5kprs]

11 minutes ago, BassBlind said:

Dave - I love your shroom head jigs and can't thank you enough for making them and the info you share here on the Forum...

 

One question - I've noticed that your heads to not have a barb near the top of the jig to help keep the little guy from slipping down the hook. I now use super glue and it works pretty well, but just wondering if there was a reason you do not have a "barb bait keeper" on the jigs?

There are reasons for it.

The elaztech baits will tend to spit barbs back at you. One of a few exceptions is the Zman keeper, because the plastic is pulled over the barb, instead of pushed onto it. The problems with it are that it eventually rips through the bait, and that it seems to be a weak spot on the hook. I've had several folks call or email in the last month looking for a different jig after experiencing catastrophic hook failure with those heads.. They've been having problems breaking them at the solder/weld on the keeper. Seems to happen more with folks fishing smallmouth.

If you are fishing a solid color like GP, you can remove a bait and re-rig it. You may not want to if you are fishing a laminate, dark side up. If you glue it, with any of the various heads, it isn't going to pull down. I always enjoy the satisfaction of ending the day with an "old warrior" that is literally just clinging to the back side of the head, held on by glue.

There really aren't any workarounds for broken hooks. That's why we moved away from Owner hooks, Daichii, and the lighter wire Gamakatsu hooks. Even the heavy wire gammies will fail and corrode, and thoise have become basically a special order option only. The little heavy wire Mustads just keep poking little holes in fish.

Regardless of which head you use, I would still glue it. I've glued virtually every one I've rigged since 2011. 

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, Ham said:

I'd much rather have a flat black rod than a white one. I'm not going shorter than 6'", but I'm not sure I want longer than 7 foot. Anyway, I'll let errrbody pick what works best for them. Super Dave has this insane monster hookset. he has a set up that works great for him, but the "just reel into the fish and lift your rod" types would likely struggle with it.

The cheapo Lew's 7 foot UL that fishes a little heavier than the Browning Airstream requires a firmer hookset than some of my other rods, but it works just fine and it is inexpensive.

I hope Dave will tell the good folks the deets on that rod. Model number etc.

 

Quote

 

 

http://www.lews.com/rods-lasersg.php

It's on that page. The 7' listed as UL. I might call it a true L action. Good, inexpensive, everyday rod. Caught blacks to 4# and brown fish to 18" with it. Its challenged with a hot 5# brownie attached though. Didn't pass that one, but a lot of rods fail that test. 

Sorry for the phantom quote. Seems like there is a glitch about deleting things from a mobile device.

[BassBlind]

Great response, and it most definitely makes sense... I'll be sticking with Ozark Finesse Heads and super gluing... as a matter of fact... ordering some more now. 

[Stein]

Well, seeing as I only ordered "non-weedguard" heads I might as well order some weedguard heads from Dave.  PM sent.

[Ham]

1 hour ago, Stein said:

LOL, yeah, I know, but since I can't be down there to fish for two more months all I can do is buy gear right now.

 

I appreciate your attempts to keep the economy going, but you might save a little money by waiting until you get here to buy things.