Ned Rig
Beginner Difficulty — Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Difficulty
Beginner
Water Types
Seasons
What Is the Ned Rig?
The Ned rig is the simplest and most beginner-friendly bass technique. A small mushroom-head jig paired with a short soft plastic stick bait creates a subtle, natural presentation that catches bass when nothing else will. Named after fishing writer Ned Kehde, it has become a go-to finesse approach nationwide.
Step-by-Step Guide
Choose Your Mushroom Head Jig
Select a 1/16 oz to 1/4 oz mushroom-style jig head. The flat bottom design allows the bait to stand upright on the bottom, mimicking a feeding baitfish or crawfish.
Select a Short Soft Plastic
Use a 2.5 to 3.5 inch stick bait, TRD (The Real Deal) style bait, or finesse worm. The short profile is key to the Ned rig concept — resist the urge to upsize.
Thread the Bait onto the Jig Head
Push the jig head hook straight through the center of the bait, keeping it aligned so it sits straight. About 1/3 to 1/2 of the bait should extend past the hook bend.
Use Light Spinning Tackle
Spool a spinning reel with 6-8 lb fluorocarbon or a thin braid with fluorocarbon leader. Pair with a 6'6" to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod.
Cast to Structure and Cover
Cast the Ned rig to rocks, docks, points, or any structure. The lightweight jig does not cast far, so position yourself within range or use lighter line for distance.
Let It Sink and Sit
Allow the bait to sink on a semi-slack line. The mushroom head makes the bait stand upright on the bottom — let it sit there for several seconds. Many bites come during the pause.
Retrieve with Small Hops
Use small rod tip twitches to hop the bait a few inches off the bottom, then let it settle back down. A slow, lazy drag-and-pause also works well. The key is patience.
Set the Hook Gently
When you feel a thump or see the line move, reel down and sweep the rod upward with moderate pressure. The exposed hook on a Ned rig means hookup ratios are excellent with just a reel set.
Required Gear
- Mushroom Head Jigs (1/16 oz - 1/4 oz) — Flat-bottom mushroom-style jig heads that let the bait stand upright on the bottom. The round head also comes through rocks well.
- Short Stick Baits (2.5-3.5 inch) — Z-Man TRD, Berkley TRD, or similar short finesse stick baits made from buoyant ElaZtech or standard plastic. Buoyant materials make the bait stand up.
- Medium-Light Spinning Rod — A 6'6" to 7-foot medium-light fast-action spinning rod provides the sensitivity and light backbone needed for Ned rig fishing.
- Spinning Reel (2500 size) — A smooth 2500-size spinning reel with a quality drag system handles the light line and subtle hooksets required.
- Light Fluorocarbon Line (6-8 lb) — Light fluorocarbon provides low visibility and a direct connection to the bait for detecting subtle bites.
Recommended Gear
Common Mistakes
- Using too large a bait — the Ned rig works because of its small, subtle profile. Stick with 3 inches or shorter.
- Fishing too fast — the Ned rig is designed for slow, patient presentations with extended pauses.
- Setting the hook too hard and pulling the bait away from the fish. A gentle sweep is all you need with exposed hooks.
- Using heavy line that impairs the natural action and subtle fall of the lightweight jig.
Pro Tips
- Use ElaZtech or similar buoyant material so the bait stands straight up on the bottom like a feeding baitfish.
- The Ned rig is one of the best techniques for fishing behind other anglers — it catches pressured fish that refused reaction baits.
- Downsize to a 1/16 oz head in calm, shallow water for an incredibly slow, natural fall that smallmouth cannot resist.
- Try the Ned rig on a shaky head for slightly larger presentations while keeping the finesse approach.
