Plastics for Ned Rig? 2025
CTGalloway21 reply :
so I'm done with Z-man. Had a full pack of TRDs in the original package melt together. Even if I do exactly what they say, the product still has a shelf life shorter than guacamole.
I don't want to use salt filled half senkos or dingers. Looking for other unique plastics to use on the ned heads such as the Big Bite Baits Limit Maker, Berkley Twitchtail minnow, or maybe Keitech Leach.
What are you guys using?
Scott F reply :
I'm using Z-Man, TRDs
John Loughlin reply :
Biwaa Potate is a good one too
WRB reply :
Not into the Ned rig. I would try Don Iovino's 3" Tiny Meanie worm or 4" Fat Boy hand pours. If Iovino's are too expensive then look at the old French Fry style 4" worms made by several vendors.
Tom
Russ E reply :
You can cut nearly any Stickbait in half and catch fish on a ned rig.
Problem is Zmans Elaztech has a unique quiver in the water, that the other baits do not.
Plus it is much more durable than other soft plastics. You will go through a lot more baits if you use something else.
I have heard of the baits melting, but have never experienced this personally.
they are stored under the deck of my boat year round, but the boat sits in my garage when not on the water.
NYWayfarer reply :
I have not had the problem with meltdown but I have had lots of problems with twisting baits. Elaztech seems to have a mind of its own after casting a few times. It gets wrapped around the hook to the point where it becomes unusable not matter how durable it is.
moguy1973 reply :
How are you storing your TRD's? I've never had any issues with the half zinkerz I use melting by keeping them in the package they came in, and it takes me a long long time to go through a bag usually.
Russ E reply :
On 9/9/2017 at 7:59 AM, NYWayfarer said:I have not had the problem with meltdown but I have had lots of problems with twisting baits. Elaztech seems to have a mind of its own after casting a few times. It gets wrapped around the hook to the point where it becomes unusable not matter how durable it is.
I have not had this problem either. in my opinion Elaztech gets better the more you use it.
the original Midwest finesse guys chose these baits, because they could catch upwards of 50 fish on one bait.
With that being said, I do consider it a one trick pony. The ned rig is the only bait I use it on.
snake95 reply :
I also have no problems with Zman products. But as far as what else works on Ned Rig heads for me:
Zoom Z-drop
Yum Grubs
Yum twin tail grubs (figure the Yamamotos would work great, too)
Haven't tried it but figure the smallest Roboworm straight tail 4.5-inch, maybe with the first 0.5-1 inch trimmed off would work.
Scott F reply :
On 9/9/2017 at 7:42 AM, Weedwhacker said:You can cut nearly any Stickbait in half and catch fish on a ned rig.
Problem is Zmans Elaztech has a unique quiver in the water, that the other baits do not.
I don't know about a "unique quiver", but I think the big advantage to the Elaztech baits is that they float and attached to a mushroom jig head, the bait stands straight up off the bottom instead of lying down which would happen with nearly every other plastic you might choose.
Russ E reply :
On 9/9/2017 at 9:46 AM, Scott F said:I don't know about a "unique quiver", but I think the big advantage to the Elaztech baits is that they float and attached to a mushroom jig head, the bait stands straight up off the bottom instead of lying down which would happen with nearly every other plastic you might choose.
"unique quiver" does sound a little strange. What I mean is: 1/2 of a Zinkerz, gets extremely flexible after you use it awhile and any movement makes the tail dance. I often stretch a new bait a few times to make it more flexible.
Scott F reply :
The Zinker Z's don't even float out of the package like a TRD does. I know.... soak it, stretch it, use it, eventually it becomes more buoyant. I just prefer them to float all the time.
Team9nine reply :
Not certain exactly what your issue is (define "melt" please - as in ice cream cone?, or just sticking together?). I've got packs of Zman baits that are 3 and 4 years old and still good as new. Kept them in the boat. Kept them in the garage. Kept them in the house. No difference.
Some favorite non-Zman baits though are tiny brush hogs, 4" lizards, Finesse worms (<5") and Erie Darter Jr.
IndianaFinesse reply :
I couldn't care less about whether the plastic floats or not, but elaztech has the advantage of durability and is softer than most (if not all) other plastics. If you don't leave the baits under pressure, and don't put anything else in with them, you shouldn't have any issues. This is coming from a guy who has gone through upwards of 50 bags of elaztech, give zman another try.
That being said, there are a few other baits that do well for me to. The zoom finesse trick worm and 4 inch robo worm being my favorites. Or, just get the 3× plastics from strike king, since it's zman your done with and not necessarily elaztech...
fishwizzard reply :
This is not super helpful, but I saw some floating short stickbaits that were made with the Ned in mind. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the company but I think it was a small-midsized producer and I found them while looking at tubes one night, so many someone known for them?
bholtzinger14 reply :
Grande bass baby rattlesnakes don't seem too bad.
tander reply :
Only trouble I have had with Zman is sticking together some and this is not a big problem. I live where it is hot and humid, they are kept in my boat under the garage. I honestly believe that the ZMan line can not be beat.
Will Wetline reply :
Two years ago I stored two packs of ZinkerZ in a closed plastic container which was exposed to the sun. They melted. This past season I packaged a trip's worth of ElazTech baits in small zip lock bags and stored them in my lunch cooler.
The Finesse TRDs and ShadZ have been so effective I will continue to do this.
IndianaOutdoors reply :
I leave my wading bag in the Jeep with trds in it. No problems. The only zman/elaztech that I have seen melt has been mixed with other plastics. I keep mine in the original bags or in its own section of a tiny flambeau box. I know it's a philosophy/mindset thing but to me, elaztech is what makes the Ned rig a Ned rig. If I'm just looking for something to stand up on the bottom I'll fish a shaky head. Anyway I think you might try a big bite trick stick. They are very low salt if any and sink very slow.
Comfortably Numb reply :
On 9/10/2017 at 1:49 AM, Will Wetline said:Two years ago I stored two packs of ZinkerZ in a closed plastic container which was exposed to the sun. They melted. This past season I packaged a trip's worth of ElazTech baits in small zip lock bags and stored them in my lunch cooler.
The Finesse TRDs and ShadZ have been so effective I will continue to do this.
You can not put them in a plastic container. Plastic bag only.
I won a dink tourney today (<15" bass only) with a 1/8 oz Ned head and a 3" Beaver style bait (regular plastic)
cgolf reply :
I have had great luck with the heavily salted anglers choice 5" wart hawg cut in half. Not sure if they count, but I have always had a lot of luck with 3" grubs on a light head.
As far as Zman stuff goes I find the finesse TRDs to be junk compared to 1/2 a Zinkerz. It seems to rip where the hook comes out and it never seems to get as soft as or have the movement of a half Zinkerz. It is like the TRDs are a different material. I know a lot of you like them, they just do nothing for me. I will use up what I have, but only buy Zinkerz in the future.
Russ E reply :
On 9/10/2017 at 11:29 AM, cgolf said:I have had great luck with the heavily salted anglers choice 5" war hawg cut in half. Not sure if they count, but I have always had a lot of luck with 3" grubs on a light head.
As far as Zman stuff goes I find the finesse TRDs to be junk compared to 1/2 a Zinkerz. It seems to rip where the hook comes out and it never seems to get as soft as of have the movement of a half Zinkerz. It is like the TRDs are a different material. I know a lot of you like them, they just do nothing for me. I will use up what I have, but only buy Zinkerz in the future.
1/2 a zinkerz always beats a TRD in my book. the floating argument is irrelevant to me. i do not use them as a standup style jig.
when I fish the ned rig, it is slowly swimming just off of the bottom. a little shake of the rod brings a used Zinkerz to life.
fishwizzard reply :
On 9/9/2017 at 10:37 AM, Bunnielab said:This is not super helpful, but I saw some floating short stickbaits that were made with the Ned in mind. I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the company but I think it was a small-midsized producer and I found them while looking at tubes one night, so many someone known for them?
Found it!
River Rock Fat Sticks;
https://river-rock-custom-baits.myshopify.com/products/2-3-4-fat-stick
No idea if they have any wiggle to them.
RMax reply :
For when I don't feel like spending 5 minutes messing with the elaztech, I just use the BPS stik-o ned rigs.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 9/9/2017 at 5:49 AM, CTGalloway21 said:so I'm done with Z-man. Had a full pack of TRDs in the original package melt together. Even if I do exactly what they say, the product still has a shelf life shorter than guacamole.
I don't want to use salt filled half senkos or dingers. Looking for other unique plastics to use on the ned heads such as the Big Bite Baits Limit Maker, Berkley Twitchtail minnow, or maybe Keitech Leach.
What are you guys using?
Keep Zman elaZtech baits in the original package , keep in the shade and in worse case - if you are fishing in very hot climates put the TRD bags in an ice chest ... Problem solved !! **Stay with Zman TRD's or Zinkerz cut in half for the Ned rig and learn to store them properly .
Bass_Fishing_Socal reply :
If I don't have Zman, I would use Zoom Magnum trick worm cut to about 3", but that is not gonna happen soon since I still have plenty of Zman plastic.
primetime reply :
If using the Ned rig heads, they make any lighter soft bait stand up , but I am not sure straight up is always better. I have been using 4" Slider worms for years and they work as good today as always, I also like the Ned rig and I use Zman stuff which is great cause it lasts forever, but some days I feel like a small 2-3" ringed soft bait/Creature can work just as good.
Not sure if Elaztech is actually better than half a Dinger etc..But one pack will last forever and hold scent well, so for $4, I usually like using the Z-Man stuff. They have only melted on me if I mix them with other plastics or leave them in the sun for too long.
Any ringed plastic will also float for most part. So will floating worms cut in half.
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