Ned Rig as 1st Option 2024
TJT reply :
Had my 1st " Ned saves the day", day yesterday. 45 minutes of great fishing crammed into 4 hours. Tied on a Ned and caught 8 bass from dink to this years best fish of a hair over 5lbs. Started wondering why don't I throw this bait out of the gate, rather then waiting to salvage an otherwise lousy day. If the Ned is the "when all else fails" bait why not choose it sooner? Obviously, conditions help determine the baits we choose and I (we) all have our favorites. When do you pick up the Ned and what goes into that choice?
Thx T
Darren. reply :
I had the same revelation when reading articles about
last-ditch-to-save-the-day baits. Why use them as a
last resort if they save the day? Why not make the day
more enjoyable and more productive, hence more fun?
I always have at least one Ned rig setup ready to go,
also wacky and drop shot rigs. It's about what works
for me and what I'm generally confident with.
For me, fishing should be fun, enjoyable.
WRB reply :
Very simple the Ned rig is a finesse rig you present slower for less active bass.
Active bass may strike a slower moving finesse rig like drop shot, slip shot, dart & worm or Ned rig but they also strike jigs, T-rigs and faster moving larger size lures that catch bigger bass faster on average.
If finesse fishing is your go to method do it. The majority of west coast tournament anglers always have a spinning finesse outfit and use them. Me, I resever finesse for down times when it's slow or I want to catch a few bass and can't remember ever starting a day using any finesse presentations, too wired and like make a few casts with bait casting lures.
Tom
Dens228 reply :
On 7/19/2019 at 11:47 PM, WRB said:Very simple the Ned rig is a finesse rig you present slower for less active bass.
Active bass may strike a slower moving finesse rig like drop shot, slip shot, dart & worm or Ned rig but they also strike jigs, T-rigs and faster moving larger size lures that catch bigger bass faster on average.
If finesse fishing is your go to method do it. The majority of west coast tournament anglers always have a spinning finesse outfit and use them. Me, I resever finesse for down times when it's slow or I want to catch a view bass and can't remember ever starting a day using any finesse presentations, too wired and like make a few casts with bait casting lures.
Tom
Tom, I'd love to spend a few days fishing with you! I learn from your posts every day. I can only imagine what I'd pick up just observing you in your element.
Fishes in trees reply :
You just haven't drank the Kool-aid yet. A real, true, genuine Ned fan throws the Ned in any circumstances, all the time. The only other gear in the boat might be a spare Ned rig or 2 - but probably not what with frugality being part of the Ned ethos.
Not me, as a dedicated junk fisherman, I just can't do that. My mental health requires that I have a multitude of rigs in the boat so that I can switch off quickly and not have to waste time retying baits. Telling the truth, I generally have a Ned rig in the boat and I have had a few days when the Ned was the go to rig. However, when I am marking and getting bit on fish at the thermocline in 12 to 20 feet of water, the Ned takes a long time to drop that deep. And a, so jika rig with a half ounce weight or so doesn't, so I go with that or a bubba drop shot, or a football jig
Scott F reply :
Fishing is supposed to be about fun. For nearly everyone, nearly all the time, you spend a lot more time fishing than catching. If you enjoy power fishing more than finesse, start the day doing what you like to do best. If it isn’t working, switch. I don’t like drop shotting, or fishing in thick weeds. I’ll only do those things, if I can’t catch fish doing what I like to do. Keep it fun.
Montanaro reply :
I can almost always catch a bass on a crankbait.
So I throw a crankbait. Active and inactive bass will bite if you do it right.
I can very quickly tell when the bass are inactive and if they are, where they are. Then I go back through with senko or drop shot.
Starting with a ned or drop shot significantly limits your ability to diagnose fishing conditions.
gimruis reply :
The ned works. But if they're going on a topwater, why not use that instead? Its a far more enjoyable way to catch a bass.
WRB reply :
Berkeley Power Bug is new Ike Ned soft plastic that floats, heads Ned nation.
Tom
HoosierFisher reply :
I can't manage to fish it without getting snagged and breaking off or bending out the hook. Any tips? I've seen people rig it like a shaky head on on a mushroom head.
Scott F reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:03 AM, HoosierFisher said:I can't manage to fish it without getting snagged and breaking off or bending out the hook. Any tips? I've seen people rig it like a shaky head on on a mushroom head.
Fish it faster, don’t let it drag the bottom. If there is a lot of wood, use a weedless jig head.
Darren. reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:03 AM, HoosierFisher said:I can't manage to fish it without getting snagged and breaking off or bending out the hook. Any tips? I've seen people rig it like a shaky head on on a mushroom head.
On 7/20/2019 at 10:08 AM, Scott F said:Fish it faster, don’t let it drag the bottom. If there is a lot of wood, use a weedless jig head.
Agree with @Scott F, either fish it faster or use a weedless jig.
I have found in my waters that weedless heads are the best option.
So many snags and such. I've bought regular Z-Man hooks and made
them weedless, but prefer using Z-Man's own weedless jigs (for now).
Scott F reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:23 AM, Darren. said:
Agree with @Scott F, either fish it faster or use a weedless jig.
I have found in my waters that weedless heads are the best option.
So many snags and such. I've bought regular Z-Man hooks and made
them weedless, but prefer using Z-Man's own weedless jigs (for now).
I also use the Z-Man weedless jig heads. I just wish they offered them in lighter weights.
DSTN reply :
A couple of my favorite stretches of bank to fish are lined with rip-rap sloping from the bank to 4-6 ft. I lose very few heads to the rocks but like others have said, the key for me is to keep the bait moving fast enough to keep it from settling on the bottom. Sometimes going lighter with your jig head may be needed to help keep the bait up.
Team9nine reply :
I've reached the point in my fishing where I like taking fish on my terms most days. As such, 80% of my trips these past couple years have been with what is shown in the picture. In that pack I typically carry a pkg of Finesse WormZ, a half dozen TRDs or 1/2 ZinkerkZ, and a small assortment of mushroom heads (~6), wacky jig heads (~3), Slider heads (~3) and Shakey heads (~2). That pretty much covers the entire spectrum of everything I need to catch plenty of fish. I still have days and lakes I'll go out with jerkbaits, A-rigs, deep cranks, or whatever else I might want or need to throw, but those trips have become the exception.
TJT reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 8:49 AM, Montanaro said:I can almost always catch a bass on a crankbait.
So I throw a crankbait. Active and inactive bass will bite if you do it right.
I can very quickly tell when the bass are inactive and if they are, where they are. Then I go back through with senko or drop shot.
Starting with a ned or drop shot significantly limits your ability to diagnose fishing conditions.
Good point. Wasn’t really thinking about it that way but it makes sense.
On 7/20/2019 at 9:25 AM, gimruis said:The ned works. But if they're going on a topwater, why not use that instead? Its a far more enjoyable way to catch a bass.
I agree. I’d rather catch with a frog than most other methods. I tend to get “stuck” on a technique when I’ve had a little success to the point of over fishing it when it might be time to switch up. The Ned is new to me as are a lot of techniques. Still learning. Thanks for the responses
Dorado reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:55 AM, Team9nine said:I've reached the point in my fishing where I like taking fish on my terms most days. As such, 80% of my trips these past couple years have been with what is shown in the picture. In that pack I typically carry a pkg of Finesse WormZ, a half dozen TRDs or 1/2 ZinkerkZ, and a small assortment of mushroom heads (~6), wacky jig heads (~3), Slider heads (~3) and Shakey heads (~2). That pretty much covers the entire spectrum of everything I need to catch plenty of fish. I still have days and lakes I'll go out with jerkbaits, A-rigs, deep cranks, or whatever else I might want or need to throw, but those trips have become the exception.
I like your survival kit here. What conditions determine whether you opt in for a slider vs a wacky or say a shakey vs mushroom style presentation etc etc when you initially approach a pond?
Further North reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 2:02 AM, Scott F said:Fishing is supposed to be about fun. For nearly everyone, nearly all the time, you spend a lot more time fishing than catching. If you enjoy power fishing more than finesse, start the day doing what you like to do best. If it isn’t working, switch. I don’t like drop shotting, or fishing in thick weeds. I’ll only do those things, if I can’t catch fish doing what I like to do. Keep it fun.
Nailed that...
I can't stand dropping a line over the side of the boat and sitting there, jigging or drop-shotting, or trolling, or chucking huge baits...
There's nothing wrong with any of those things, but I can't do them and have fun.
stinkychzman55 reply :
For what it’s worth I like to upsize my Ned rig set up to try and eliminate some of the dink’s. I use the power finesse heads From z-man and a Big Trd 100% of the time. Give me shallow cover and a heavy rod all day long as my first choice, but skipping a Big Trd under docks has gotten me several 4-5lb bass and trying to fight a big one out from under a dock with a spinning rod and light line really can get the heart pumping!!
Id much rather have her bite my jig or Texas rig but sometimes all they want is that big trd and I have zero shame about throwing it if I know there are fish around. I like to think I’m still “power fishing” just using a different rod. I’m fishing it just like a would a jig....cast to a target, let it sink, hop a few times, and when I feel like I’m out of the strike zone I swim it back to the boat with a few twitches here and there to impart some action.
Anyways....the Ned rig is never the first bait I pick up, but if it’s working and I’m on a good pattern of quality fish I’ll keep it in my hand till the pattern changes
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
To me it’s depend what rod/reel I’m gonna fish with and where is my target area. If I take my finesse rod/reel then I’ll consider my bait for Ned Rig/ light shakey head (1/16) weightless worm or 3-4” senko and fish around shallow, rock/sandy/grass. If my target is deep and far out 30yds or more out, then I’ll take MH rod with either 3/8 jig/Texas rig or chatter bait.
For those of you that get snag a lot, as other mentioned fish it faster(that how I fish it too) or softened your Zman before hand. The softer of Zman the more buoyancy it get thus less snag. I like half Zinkerz better in this case because TRD no matter what still not as soft, I even shortened my TRD more. I also order 1/20oz Zman head to try out too.
Team9nine reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 12:13 PM, Dorado said:I like your survival kit here. What conditions determine whether you opt in for a slider vs a wacky or say a shakey vs mushroom style presentation etc etc when you initially approach a pond?
Shakey is only ever used on bigger water, never in ponds, though I know guys who do well with it locally in hard bottomed (clean) pits. Mushroom is mostly around riprap or on hard bottom areas with little muck or weeds like in early spring while the water is still cold, though it can be a killer swim along weed lines later in the year. Slider and wacky jig head are nearly interchangeable, but Slider gets the nod when weedlessness comes into play or with long horizontal casts, while wacky jig head works almost anywhere, anytime. It’s especially suited for a slower presentation (fronts), when sight fishing bass in shallow water, spring time, or targeting isolated cover like just small clumps of weeds.
Pickle_Power reply :
Nothing that I have to let sink and lightly hop around will ever be my first choice. I'd like to first find out if they'll hit faster moving baits before that.
The Ned is not an option for me past mid May in most waters I fish. There's just too much grass to deal with that.
scaleface reply :
I cant find the place or time to fish a Ned rig . I used them in streams for smallies but reservoir fishing they are to slow to be fished in between cover and when I get to cover I'm surely not throwing one. Where do you guys like to use them ? Maybe its a clear water technique .
Russ E reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 11:59 PM, scaleface said:I cant find the place or time to fish a Ned rig . I used them in streams for smallies but reservoir fishing they are to slow to be fished in between cover and when I get to cover I'm surely not throwing one. Where do you guys like to use them ? Maybe its a clear water technique .
In all honesty I very seldom use a ned rig on larger reservoirs, unless the bite is very slow or if there is a huge hatch of small baitfish.
The ned rig shines on smaller lakes. it can catch you a ton of small fish, with an occasional big fish thrown in.
It is very seldom the bait I start the day with. I personally like to target larger fish over numbers.
A Ned Rig is not always the best bait. Some guys are not willing to try other baits.
Like any other bait, the fish can get conditioned to it.
one local lake that I fish gets hammered with ned rigs.
I was out there Wednesday. there were 2 boats all fishing the ned.
they only caught a few fish each.
I fished the same waters with a fluke and a neko rig and caught twice as many fish.
That does not mean I am any better at fishing. Just more willing to adjust to conditions.
Mobasser reply :
I'll be the odd man out. I bought all the tackle for Ned rig fishing, but it hasn't worked well for me. My lakes are weedy. A light Texas rig or slider head with a 4" worm works so much better. I'll stick with these for light line fishing.
Darren. reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:32 AM, Scott F said:I also use the Z-Man weedless jig heads. I just wish they offered them in lighter weights.
Agreed. A little surprised they don't, to be honest.
Found a guy on Ebay who makes his own weedless Ned jigs.
I may order a pack (10) in 1/16th from him.
OkobojiEagle reply :
... all just variations on a theme. More conveniently grouped together and referred to as jig worm fishing.
oe
WRB reply :
Siebert Outdoors makes a Morel XL mushroom jig in 1/16 oz with Owner hook and a 1/15 oz ShroomZ jig, what more do you need?
If you want it weedless add a dental rubber band over the hook eye and under the hook barb.
Tom
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
@WRBI am not sure if how this Morel jig head supposed to be but all mine, the lead is loose and wobble under the hook.
@Darren.link please, btw I use the weedless 1/10oz with hula grub and baby brush hog, pretty effective last year.
Darren. reply :
On 7/21/2019 at 5:45 AM, JustJames said:
@Darren.link please, btw I use the weedless 1/10oz with hula grub and baby brush hog, pretty effective last year.
Here ya go! Bought a pack myself to try out.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ned-Rig-Midwest-Finesse-Rig-Weedless-Shroom-Head-10Pack-With-Mustad-Hooks/292067139540?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=591045891042&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
WRB reply :
On 7/21/2019 at 5:45 AM, JustJames said:
@WRBI am not sure if how this Morel jig head supposed to be but all mine, the lead is loose and wobble under the hook.
@Darren.link please, btw I use the weedless 1/10oz with hula grub and baby brush hog, pretty effective last year.
Did you contact Siebert?
Occasionally when I pour jigs a head is slightly loose on the hook and I put a drop of superglue gel on hook to fix it. It may not make any difference but it bothers me.
Tom
PS, don't overlook Berkley Power Bug.
NYWayfarer reply :
I don’t start the day fishing a Ned Rig unless I am starting my fishing day at noon.
on the water at 6am I am throwing topwater baits. Later in the day it’s time for finesse fishing and that’s when the Ned comes out.
Allen Der reply :
I haven't tried it yet but saw a video where they made a weedless ned/Neko hybrid. TRD rigged Texas style with a VMC Neko hook and a Neko weight in the other end.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
I have the "weedless" ned heads, swear they get more weeds than the regular version.
I bought the sharpest ned hooks out there the Trokar finesse ned head.They also dont bend as easily or rust out like Zman.
TJT reply :
I could never use traditional exposed hook Ned heads where I fish . Too weedy. Been using the Flatlands Custom Tackle Weedless Ned Head in 1/16oz. Works good. They go from 1/16 -1/4 and use a Gama EWG hook.
flatcreek reply :
Tried a Ned rig for about 30 minutes,didn’t like it.when it gets that tough I just rig up a split shot rig.that’s fishin,do what works for you
TBAG reply :
On 7/22/2019 at 11:47 PM, fishnbear said:I could never use traditional exposed hook Ned heads where I fish . Too weedy. Been using the Flatlands Custom Tackle Weedless Ned Head in 1/16oz. Works good. They go from 1/16 -1/4 and use a Gama EWG hook.
Do you use Z-Man TRD's with these? I tried someone elses version of the same hook and could never get my TRD to rig correctly on it?
TJT reply :
Yep, TRD's work great. Just t -rig it normally. Also use the Decoy Nailbomb jighead. The offset on the Nailbomb is a little longer and they go down to 1/32 and have smaller hook sizes. Both work well
Bass Junke reply :
I never leave home without a Ned rig or drop shot tied on. These 2 techniques are responsible for most of the fish I catch. I have never started the day fishing either techniques, always finish the day with one or the other.
I always say to myself, " If I keep catching fish on all my other rigs, I don't need to fish the drop shot".
I usually cave during the last 1/2 hour to hour and start throwing one of those presentations all over the place. Or I will drift back to the ramp using the current to drag the mushroom head or a drop shot weight. Usually puts a couple more in the boat before I head home.
That's my plan after work today, If i start catching fish on a jig and chatter bait won't need the Ned rig or drop shot.
newyorktoiowa57 reply :
I don't like finesse fishing, or spinning gear in general, so I use it as a last resort. It also doesn't work well around weeds at all. Power fishing is just way more fun for me.
Yumeya reply :
I love finesse fishing and love catching large fish on spinning rods, but I also love my baitcaster.
1/32 and 1/16 are my go to.
I always have a rod tied up with a TRD on it, 6-7 rods on my deck and I just switch rods and I move along until the fish tell me what they like....
TBAG reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:23 AM, Darren. said:
Agree with @Scott F, either fish it faster or use a weedless jig.
I have found in my waters that weedless heads are the best option.
So many snags and such. I've bought regular Z-Man hooks and made
them weedless, but prefer using Z-Man's own weedless jigs (for now).
How do you make the regular Z-mans weedless?
Darren. reply :
On 7/23/2019 at 9:13 PM, TBAG said:How do you make the regular Z-mans weedless?
It's a little bit of a pain, esp. on the short shank hooks.
Pretty much need a cheap fly tying set. I got one for $20
at Bass Pro. So basically need that and some 40# test
mono leader. Cut about 2" of leader, bend about 1/4" of
it to be tied on the hook shank.
Have to put wrap on the shank first, then place the guard
over it and wrap.
There are great tutorials on tying a weedguard on YouTube,
which is where I taught myself the "art".
InTheRiffle has some great tutorials.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 7/20/2019 at 10:55 AM, Team9nine said:I've reached the point in my fishing where I like taking fish on my terms most days. As such, 80% of my trips these past couple years have been with what is shown in the picture. In that pack I typically carry a pkg of Finesse WormZ, a half dozen TRDs or 1/2 ZinkerkZ, and a small assortment of mushroom heads (~6), wacky jig heads (~3), Slider heads (~3) and Shakey heads (~2). That pretty much covers the entire spectrum of everything I need to catch plenty of fish. I still have days and lakes I'll go out with jerkbaits, A-rigs, deep cranks, or whatever else I might want or need to throw, but those trips have become the exception.
Why does it look like there's nothing but a chartreuse crappie tube in that bag?
Team9nine reply :
On 7/23/2019 at 11:23 PM, TnRiver46 said:Why does it look like there's nothing but a chartreuse crappie tube in that bag?
Lol - if I’m going to a place with big bluegill or crappie, I’ll sometimes toss in a couple crappie jigs in a separate container so they don’t react with the Elaztech baits. That was a shot from this spring. I can get a better shot with everything outside the Zman bag if you want. Basics never change, just what is tossed inside for any given trip.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 12:28 AM, Team9nine said:Lol - if I’m going to a place with big bluegill or crappie, I’ll sometimes toss in a couple crappie jigs in a separate container so they don’t react with the Elaztech baits. That was a shot from this spring. I can get a better shot with everything outside the Zman bag if you want. Basics never change, just what is tossed inside for any given trip.
Haha gotcha no worries. I had seen that pic on here twice and I thought "when did z man start making crappie tubes and how does he catch so many bass with them?"
Team9nine reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 12:31 AM, TnRiver46 said:Haha gotcha no worries. I had seen that pic on here twice and I thought "when did z man start making crappie tubes and how does he catch so many bass with them?"
I wish they would. I go through crappie tubes something fierce when the bite is on. Would love to have some made of Elaztech so they wouldn’t tear up so quickly. I do catch a lot of bass in the spring in ponds on crappie tubes, though
Dorado reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 12:28 AM, Team9nine said:Lol - if I’m going to a place with big bluegill or crappie, I’ll sometimes toss in a couple crappie jigs in a separate container so they don’t react with the Elaztech baits. That was a shot from this spring. I can get a better shot with everything outside the Zman bag if you want. Basics never change, just what is tossed inside for any given trip.
Quick question about those spider slider heads. Do you use the 3/0 versions (classic) on your finesse wormZ? I paired a Zoom finesse worm with a 2/0 spider slider (pro) and the gap seemed too small
Team9nine reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 12:49 AM, Dorado said:Quick question about those spider slider heads. Do you use the 3/0 versions (classic) on your finesse wormZ? I paired a Zoom finesse worm with a 2/0 spider slider (pro) and the gap seemed too small
I use the original bronze 2/0 Spider Slider hooks with the Zman worms. The pro Spider Slider has the heavier 3/0 round bend which would probably be fine with a Zoom Finesse worm. I use the Zoom worms a lot on shaky heads without issue.
TBAG reply :
On 7/23/2019 at 10:04 PM, Darren. said:It's a little bit of a pain, esp. on the short shank hooks.
Pretty much need a cheap fly tying set. I got one for $20
at Bass Pro. So basically need that and some 40# test
mono leader. Cut about 2" of leader, bend about 1/4" of
it to be tied on the hook shank.
Have to put wrap on the shank first, then place the guard
over it and wrap.
There are great tutorials on tying a weedguard on YouTube,
which is where I taught myself the "art".
InTheRiffle has some great tutorials.
Gotcha, I figured it was a little bit of work. Thanks for sharing anyways!
Darren. reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 2:00 AM, TBAG said:Gotcha, I figured it was a little bit of work. Thanks for sharing anyways!
Here's an old post where I have some info, including where to find the vids.
There's another out there where I posted several of the videos, but a quick
search didn't bring it to the forefront. In the one below, if you scroll up you
will see some of the wacky hooks I've tied. Don't have a pic of the Ned jigs,
will have to grab one of my terminal tackle box to show.
waymont reply :
I use ned rigs in some lakes as a first choice. After trial and error I find it’s just the perfect presentation on some bodies of water.
Darren. reply :
On 7/24/2019 at 12:28 AM, Team9nine said:Lol - if I’m going to a place with big bluegill or crappie, I’ll sometimes toss in a couple crappie jigs in a separate container so they don’t react with the Elaztech baits. That was a shot from this spring. I can get a better shot with everything outside the Zman bag if you want. Basics never change, just what is tossed inside for any given trip.
I'd like to see how it all fits in so neatly 
Is your 'package' of finesse worms intermixed with the TRDs since
both are Elaztech, or do you squeeze an actual package in there?
Team9nine reply :
On 7/26/2019 at 6:54 AM, Darren. said:I'd like to see how it all fits in so neatly
Is your 'package' of finesse worms intermixed with the TRDs since
both are Elaztech, or do you squeeze an actual package in there?
Here you go @Darren.
I keep a box of terminal and a bag of soft plastics. The box sits in the middle of the bag and I wrap the bag around it so the lid doesn't go anywhere and stick it all in my back pocket.
To give you an idea of size, this is a Rapala DT-4 box, so about an inch wide and maybe 3 inches long. Nice and sturdy, and holds plenty of terminal gear.
I dumped out the box and this is what was in there from the last trip. There are 9 mushroom heads of various sizes, 3 Slider heads in two different weights, 2 wacky jigheads, and 2 shaky jigheads. None of them weighs more than an 1/8-ounce and allows me to pretty much fish any situation or depth needed in these smaller bodies of water.
Here's what was in the Zman bag...
8 Finesse WormZ in 3 colors, 4 half ZinkerZ/TRDs in 3 different colors and a Finesse ShadZ. There were also 2 extra mushroon jigheads in there. Since the colors are similar and all are Elaztech baits, I simply keep them all packed together. I've never had an issue with color bleeding or anything similar. And, since they are Elaztech, it's pretty rare to go through more than a bait or two on any given trip, so it keeps the number of baits needed down. I have had several instances of over aggressive sunfish sometimes ripping one of the baits off a jighead, or the bait flying off if I'm not paying attention to the rigging after numerous fish, but since Elaztech floats, you'd be surprised at how many of those "lost" baits I end up recovering by just waiting and watching to see where they are floating. I've even come back to ponds days or weeks later and found them floating against the shoreline. Plus, since the salt dissolves out of them so quickly, they never swell or get disproportioned due to water absorption.
I'd guess that in the last two years of pretty much just carrying this pack of baits during all my bank fishing excursions, they've accounted for well over 1,000 bass. There's not much I can't do with this little pack of baits and a pair of snips or pliers, from top to bottom, in cover or not.
Darren. reply :
On 7/26/2019 at 8:28 AM, Team9nine said:Here you go @Darren.
I keep a box of terminal and a bag of soft plastics. The box sits in the middle of the bag and I wrap the bag around it so the lid doesn't go anywhere and stick it all in my back pocket.
To give you an idea of size, this is a Rapala DT-4 box, so about an inch wide and maybe 3 inches long. Nice and sturdy, and holds plenty of terminal gear.
I dumped out the box and this is what was in there from the last trip. There are 9 mushroomo heads of various sizes, 3 Slider heads in two different weights, 2 wacky jigheads, and 2 shaky jigheads. None of them weighs more than an 1/8-ounce and allows me to pretty much fish any situation or depth needed in these smaller bodies of water.
Here's what was in the Zman bag...
8 Finesse WormZ in 3 colors, 4 half ZinkerZ/TRDs and a Finesse ShadZ. There were also 2 extra mushroon jigheads in there. Since the colors are similar and all are Elaztech baits, I simply keep them all packed together. I've never had an issue with color bleeding or anything similar. And, since they are Elaztech, it's pretty rare to go through more than a bait or two on any given trip, so it keeps the number of baits needed down. I have had several instances of over aggressive sunfish sometimes ripping one of the baits off a jighead, or the bait flying off if I'm not paying attention to the rigging after numerous fish, but since Elaztech floats, you'd be surprised at how many of those "lost" baits I end up recovering by just waiting and watching to see where they are floating. I've even come back to ponds days or weeks later and found them floating against the shoreline. Plus, since the salt dissolves out of them so quickly, they never swell or get disproportioned due to water absorption.
I'd guess that in the last two years of pretty much just carrying this pack of baits during all my bank fishing excursions, they've accounted for well over 1,000 bass. There's not much I can't do with this little pack of baits and a pair of snips or pliers, from top to bottom, in cover or not.
Fantastic, Brian! Thank you.
I've actually done something similar, in years' past, though
without the success you have had, LOL. To clarify, I've put
numerous baits into a bag, hooks, too, and things bled
badly. Your logical approach has done you well, and is
worthy of imitation.
Was wondering if Elaztech baits did likewise. I'm all about
simplifying things, which is what I try to do with kayak
fishing -- i.e., less-is-more type of concept to rigging and
gear.
The more I use Elaztech, the more I am impressed and
even enamored by the durability and ability to catch fish.
BTW, I think you might like the hooks I bought off eBay
that I mentioned to you before (after probably shortening
the weedguard). New hook on left. Rest are Z-man, top is
one I tied (before refinement).
TnRiver46 reply :
Where did my chartreuse crappie tube go????? ......... just kidding. I love the purple worms!
Dangerfield reply :
Owner makes some great finesse jigs that are great for the Ned Rig and weedless ????
I've used them on 3"and or less swimbaits, hula stickz, TRDs and finesse shadz.
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Ultrahead_Finesse_Ball_Head_/descpage-OFBH.html
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Ultrahead_Bullet_Rig_4pk/descpage-OUHBUL.html
zell_pop1 reply :
I've never used the Ned rig as I really dont believe I'll do any better than with a shakyhead, and finesse fishing is a last resort for me anyway.
Sphynx reply :
Ned Rig, drop shot, and as of late a Strike King Bitsy Bug jig are all frequent flyers on my fairy wand. I probably have the most confidence in the Ned Rig, but I enjoy jigs, swim, flipping, bladed, all are great, at least 50% of my time on the water is probably spent with some sort of jig doing the work. That said, Ned Rig is not my first choice simply because I have been going through a restructuring of my fishing gear, and philosophy, 2 rods, 2 reels, a tackle backpack, and the limitations are forcing me to learn baits I certainly am less confident in than ned rigs and jigs and basic T-rigs...when I am in danger of losing my arse on a day of fishing though, that Ned rig/bitsy bug are almost always going to get the nod for super man save the day duties.
187yak reply :
I use two rods from my kayak. One is rigged with a bed rig. California craw small z man with finesse willow blade. It’s a go to for me
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