I've read a ton of threads on the Ned rig, but what jig head is everyone using?
I'm losing way too many fish, and I suspect I'm just not hooking them very well. I can't wait any longer to set the hook or reel into them, or I'll have to perform surgery on every fish I catch.
I've used Z-Man Ned Lockz and Owner Block Head... Both with similar results. I'm open to suggestions!
I'm using spinning gear with braid to fluoro leader and a 7' ML rod.
Thanks
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ned_Rig_Jig_Heads/catpage-NEDRIGJH.html
Of all those I use the Z-Man Shroomz. I bought a bunch of them and they seem to work well for me. I always glue the worm to the head with superglue.
Currently I've been trying out the Berkley Half Head and the Eagle Claw Pro-V finnesse head. Both have worked reasonably well for me. Both have pretty good hooks and keepers. The Eagle Claw keeper holds TRDs really well. I have to say though that I lost less fish using Double Cross crappie jig heads in past years.
This one for regular sized Ned baits:
https://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Morel-Jig-Head-1022.htm
This one for bigger Ned baits:
https://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Morel-XL-Jig-Head-1024.htm
I pour my own and use either an Eagle Claw or Mustad hook. Both hook and hold great. The correct rod/line combination will help a lot also, but your setup should be fine. I'd say to make sure you're not really setting the hook hard. I seem to land more if I just reel and sweep into them than I do if I pop them.
It may be your hook set and not the hook/jig head.
All you have to do is lift up and reel medium speed and your hook up/keeping fish hooked ratio will go up. I only use heads with a size one hook and very rarely lose fish. My favorite rod is a light action Kuying rod with a moderate fast tip that keeps the fish pinned. Your rod seems like a good style for the presentation. Definitely do NOT whack them with the hook set, that will cause you to lose fish.
I am using Berkley half head jigs this year. They are cheaper in price than the Z-Man Shroomz, have a stouter hook and the TRD stays on the jighead better.
11 hours ago, rtwvumtneer6 said:I'm losing way too many fish, and I suspect I'm just not hooking them very well. I can't wait any longer to set the hook or reel into them, or I'll have to perform surgery on every fish I catch.
I've used Z-Man Ned Lockz and Owner Block Head... Both with similar results. I'm open to suggestions!
I set the hook as soon as I feel a tap, weight or change of direction. Very few fish I hook are hooked deep.
BTW I use the Z man jig head.
Personally, I find the thinner wire hooks penetrate and hold
better than thicker hooks. I have a lot of Z-man Shroomz and
really like them.
Recently bought a pack of 1/16oz hooks off ebay, they have
a wire weed guard and so far I'm mixed on them. I've caught
and lost fish on them. They use Mustad Ultra Point hooks so
says the description.
I use the Z-man power finesse heads with a wire weed guard. Never had a fish come off, but then again I havent caught mroe than a couple dozen fish on a ned rig.
Also, I think the purists would argue that the power finesse heads are too heavy.
I've recently started using the NED EWG jig from Lifted Jigs. They took a little getting used to but I'm having pretty good luck with them.
Z-man Shroomz, Siebert Morel, and Cabela's Bed Jig so far and like them all. Only issue is the keeper breaking off the Shroomz but I like them best for the smaller sizes (1/15 and 1/20) so I still use them.
Haven’t noticed any issues losing fish with any of them. I don’t pop on the hook set, just keep reeling and lift to bend the rod and don’t horse them in, let them swim if they want to.
I’ve got some of the Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse jigs to try as well but haven’t used them yet.
6 minutes ago, Ohio Joe said:Z-man Shroomz, Siebert Morel, and Cabela's Bed Jig so far and like them all. Only issue is the keeper breaking off the Shroomz but I like them best for the smaller sizes (1/15 and 1/20) so I still use them.
I usually break them off with a pliers to begin with and then superglue the worm to the head. Usually can get at least 50 fish out of a worm doing that.
Does anyone that uses the zman TRD ned worms have problems with them getting messed up on the hook when they cast? Because the elaztech is so soft they seem to recoil on hard casts and get fouled up on the hook. Usually you can feel it on the retrieve but it happens to me on about 1 in 5 casts. I find it annoying
Been using @Siebert Outdoors ned heads this year. Guy makes a great little ned head.
20 hours ago, waymont said:It may be your hook set and not the hook/jig head.
All you have to do is lift up and reel medium speed and your hook up/keeping fish hooked ratio will go up. I only use heads with a size one hook and very rarely lose fish. My favorite rod is a light action Kuying rod with a moderate fast tip that keeps the fish pinned. Your rod seems like a good style for the presentation. Definitely do NOT whack them with the hook set, that will cause you to lose fish.
How do you like the Kuying?
I recently bought a 13 Defy Silver in Light action 6'6" and loved it until it broke on this past weekend...I got a Rooster Tail in a bush and was trying to horse it out...ot broke before the 6lbs mono did.
I loved the action, but should have listened to the reviews.
2 hours ago, JediAmoeba said:Does anyone that uses the zman TRD ned worms have problems with them getting messed up on the hook when they cast? Because the elaztech is so soft they seem to recoil on hard casts and get fouled up on the hook. Usually you can feel it on the retrieve but it happens to me on about 1 in 5 casts. I find it annoying
Yep, it's just the nature of the elaztec. But then go and try to thread a screw loc onto the end of one and it won't have it any time of the day.
1 hour ago, Armtx77 said:How do you like the Kuying?
I recently bought a 13 Defy Silver in Light action 6'6" and loved it until it broke on this past weekend...I got a Rooster Tail in a bush and was trying to horse it out...ot broke before the 6lbs mono did.
I loved the action, but should have listened to the reviews.
It's one of my favorite rods regardless of price. I actually sold my G Loomis 781 rod and bought two of the Kuying rods. The have a really unique action. They are very crisp, yet have a moderate fast action that flexes great when fighting fish. It's my favorite ned rig, small original Rapala, and size 1 Mepps spinner rod. I have caught 35" pike, 4lb SMB, and 5lb LMB with them. They are fantastic rods. TTS662L is the model number. I bought mine on AliExpress for around $60.00
Many moons ago I bought some mushroom heads with a wire guard . I dont know the brand . I used them with half a stick worm long before I heard of the Ned rig . The only reason I used the stick worm " Luck-E Strike Jogger Worm " was for the added weight , so I could still use a baitcaster. I still have and use those jig heads. Used it almost exclusively for river smallmouths .
On 8/12/2019 at 9:47 PM, JediAmoeba said:https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Ned_Rig_Jig_Heads/catpage-NEDRIGJH.html
Holy cow! 37 different head styles!! Just about four years ago, you couldn't find a single mushroom head anywhere that would keep elaztech on without super glue.
On 8/12/2019 at 8:41 PM, rtwvumtneer6 said:I'm losing way too many fish, and I suspect I'm just not hooking them very well. I can't wait any longer to set the hook or reel into them, or I'll have to perform surgery on every fish I catch.
I'm using spinning gear with braid to fluoro leader and a 7' ML rod.
My first go at the ned rig produced similar results, also with a ML rod. My catch ratio picked up when I went to a stiffer, medium action rod. Same heads. Best of luck man!
1 hour ago, BoatSquirrel said:My first go at the ned rig produced similar results, also with a ML rod. My catch ratio picked up when I went to a stiffer, medium action rod. Same heads. Best of luck man!
Me too . I have a 6'6" med light bait caster ,Shimano Compere , that I refuse to fish anymore because of the amount of lost fish .
I use a 7'6" ML extra fast spinning rod with Z-Man Shroomz, braid to fluoro. I have only caught a few dozen this season with a Ned rig. Of those, just one has come off when it jumped. I set the hook kinda hard so maybe that is a benefit for me using a ML over yanking the bait out of their mouth with a Medium, IDK.
The Ned rig is the one rig for me that almost has a 100% hook up to land ratio. Generally I use a medium action rod and just reel into the fish while applying pressure. It almost always hooks up deep in the roof of the mouth.
I am really interested in trying some of the offset weedless ned heads for a lake I fish that has a lot of timber.
I use the Zman Ned Lockz HD or Shroomz Micro Finesse Jig exclusively for my ned rigging needs. The keeper on the Lockz is top notch and works amazing on any plastic, elaztech or not. I even use the Lockz to wacky rig a ned bait. I have the power finesse shroomz with and without the weedless keeper but I think they're too bulky.
Appreciate all the feedback on the heads and the rod power.
Placed my first order with @Siebert Outdoors yesterday to try the Morel... And naturally picked up a handful of other items????
Thanks, everybody.
On 8/14/2019 at 4:30 AM, jtharris3 said:
I've recently started using the NED EWG jig from Lifted Jigs. They took a little getting used to but I'm having pretty good luck with them.
Best Ned rig hook I’ve found. I lost dozens of zman standard and weedless to our Texas weeds and junk. I don’t I’ve lost more than one or two since the beginning of the year. I’ve lost count of how many bass I’ve caught on this and how many casts I’ve thrown into nasty stuff.
On 8/14/2019 at 4:30 AM, jtharris3 said:
I've recently started using the NED EWG jig from Lifted Jigs. They took a little getting used to but I'm having pretty good luck with them.
I hate to sound dumb but I can’t quite figure out how you put the worm on that jig so it is flush with the head and straight.
On 8/17/2019 at 10:10 AM, Elkins45 said:
I hate to sound dumb but I can’t quite figure out how you put the worm on that jig so it is flush with the head and straight.
Yeah, it's almost like the hook point needs to be angled more towards the center of the back of the head instead of the eye of the hook.
I ordered some X Zone Ned jig heads. Look pretty similar to the Z-Mann ones. The price was good so I figured I would give them a shot.
Also bought some of the offset Ned Rigs from Harmony. I will try just about anything