Ned Rig In River Current

[Steveo-1969]

Lots of Ned rig topics lately, but when I searched I couldn't find one that talked about using them in river currents.  In the summertime I primarily wade fish shallow sections of a river.  Say 1-6 feet deep, current moderate (not super fast or slow).  Not much grass or vegetation, mostly chunk size rock on the bottom.  I'm going to try the Ned rig this year and I'm wondering if any members have any experience fishing them in shallow rivers and if so, if you have any tips/tricks for me.  Thanks.

[DCales84]

I'm not to far from you and I fish the Shenandoah alot during the summer months. I would like to hear feed back as well.

[HoosierHawgs]

I'm in the same boat and would also like to hear what others say

[EvanT123]

I caught my first river fish this year on one. The current was strong and there was about an inch of visabilty.

If you look you can see the mushroom head right at his upper jaw. It was tipped with a piece of black senko. I guess the conditions weren't conducive to this finesse technique but the more I fish for these guys the more I'm convinced we think they can't see as well as they really can That is probably a thread for another day.

I have had some other success with white, black and green senkos as well. I fish it like I fish any other weighted bait. I cast it out upstream let the current take it and give it a jiggle here or there.

Like I said I have had some success with this rig but I don't know if it will remain in my arsenal. Maybe you guys could help me? The problem I have is every time I hit a little snag the worm rides up on the jig. It will probably still work but drives me crazy. I am looking for a solution to this that doesn't involve superglue.

[Team9nine]

River smallmouth guys are starting to catch on to the rig. Obviously every river is different, but the following link detailing the experiences of one river angler who has seen it's effectiveness should get you started: http://www.in-fisherman.com/midwest-finesse/tactics-for-smallmouth-bass-in-ozark-creeks-and-rivers/

 

Like I said I have had some success with this rig but I don't know if it will remain in my arsenal. Maybe you guys could help me? The problem I have is every time I hit a little snag the worm rides up on the jig. It will probably still work but drives me crazy. I am looking for a solution to this that doesn't involve superglue.

 

 

Can't tell what jighead you are using, but if it's a Gopher (preferably), or something similar with a good lead keeper, simply take a piece of monofilament and make a slip knot, similar to what you might use to attach your line to the spool of your reel. Push your Elaztech body up to the head of the bait, then loop the slip knot over the head, but in front of the lead keeper. Now simply cinch the loop knot really tight, then trim the excess line. If you're good with knots, you can even finish it off with a whip finish or a couple half hitches before doing this. It will hold the bait pretty well. The current Ned Rig I'm using has well over 75 fish to its credit right now without slipping once using this technique. Not quite as good as superglue because you will have to rotate the body straight after several fish, but solves your immediate problem.

 

-T9

[EvanT123]

Thanks a bunch team9nine. That's a great idea will definitely give it a shot.

[smalljaw67]

We've been using this technique for a long time on the Susquehanna River, but it didn't have a name or used a special head, we simple used a light ball head jig with a small hook and used a half of a Senko or Case Magic stick as the lure. Now since using a mushroom head it has been better but that is also because there are baits like the 3" Senko that we can use with it. The one thing I can tell you when it comes to shallow, rocky rivers is to use the lightest weight you can go to , personally I really like a 3/32oz head with a size #2 hook, it is a bit heavier than 1/16oz and a little less than 1/8oz, that seems to hang us the least and give the right fall speed.

[Steveo-1969]

I caught my first river fish this year on one. The current was strong and there was about an inch of visabilty.

If you look you can see the mushroom head right at his upper jaw. It was tipped with a piece of black senko. I guess the conditions weren't conducive to this finesse technique but the more I fish for these guys the more I'm convinced we think they can't see as well as they really can That is probably a thread for another day.

I have had some other success with white, black and green senkos as well. I fish it like I fish any other weighted bait. I cast it out upstream let the current take it and give it a jiggle here or there.

Like I said I have had some success with this rig but I don't know if it will remain in my arsenal. Maybe you guys could help me? The problem I have is every time I hit a little snag the worm rides up on the jig. It will probably still work but drives me crazy. I am looking for a solution to this that doesn't involve superglue.

 

Thanks Evan T, that's a hawg!

[Steveo-1969]

River smallmouth guys are starting to catch on to the rig. Obviously every river is different, but the following link detailing the experiences of one river angler who has seen it's effectiveness should get you started: http://www.in-fisherman.com/midwest-finesse/tactics-for-smallmouth-bass-in-ozark-creeks-and-rivers/

 

 

Can't tell what jighead you are using, but if it's a Gopher (preferably), or something similar with a good lead keeper, simply take a piece of monofilament and make a slip knot, similar to what you might use to attach your line to the spool of your reel. Push your Elaztech body up to the head of the bait, then loop the slip knot over the head, but in front of the lead keeper. Now simply cinch the loop knot really tight, then trim the excess line. If you're good with knots, you can even finish it off with a whip finish or a couple half hitches before doing this. It will hold the bait pretty well. The current Ned Rig I'm using has well over 75 fish to its credit right now without slipping once using this technique. Not quite as good as superglue because you will have to rotate the body straight after several fish, but solves your immediate problem.

 

-T9

 

Thanks for the article link and the info T9.  I was hoping you would chime in on my topic, you are one of our resident Ned rig experts!  Great tip for holding the Elaztech on the jig head too, I never would have thought of that.

[Steveo-1969]

We've been using this technique for a long time on the Susquehanna River, but it didn't have a name or used a special head, we simple used a light ball head jig with a small hook and used a half of a Senko or Case Magic stick as the lure. Now since using a mushroom head it has been better but that is also because there are baits like the 3" Senko that we can use with it. The one thing I can tell you when it comes to shallow, rocky rivers is to use the lightest weight you can go to , personally I really like a 3/32oz head with a size #2 hook, it is a bit heavier than 1/16oz and a little less than 1/8oz, that seems to hang us the least and give the right fall speed.

 

Thanks for the tip about lighter weight jig head.  If you can catch those Susky pigs on this bait then I can catch my little 12 inchers!! ha-ha

[Steveo-1969]

Thanks to everyone who has replied to my thread.  Each year I pick at least one new bait/technique to try and this year it will be the Ned rig.  I'll be honest, I'm concerned about it snagging up so much that I just stop throwing it.  I don't throw open hooks very often just for this reason, my go-to's are T-rigged plastics and small skirted jigs.  But I want to give it a fair shot.

[Master Bait'r]

It works great, as the current imparts its own action and you have to do even less.  I'd just up the weight a bit, either 3/32, 1/6 or 1/8...  Somewhere in there will work but if you go 1/8 I'd upsize to a half or 2/3 of a zinkerz.  

 

I actually really like downsizing the bait in smaller rivers and bigger streams- I have far better success with things like the Ned and a weightless t-rigged baby slug-go in current than I do with other types of rigs like spinners, worms etc.  That simple dying minnow or foraging grub action seems to drive the fish insane whereas the action of say an inline spinner etc. may not incite a strike.  Something about the way those fish sit in a rock hydraulic and wait for prey just jives most excellently with those two presentations in current.   

[frogflogger]

The 1/16 oz. mushroom head with a cut off zman finesse worm (3") is very effective for river smallmouth as is the t.r.d. and the scented leechz. We fished spinners and rapalas against the rig and the rig won by  a 12 to 1 margin.

[Steveo-1969]

It sounds like a 1/16 or 3/32 ounce head will be a good place to start.  And I'm going to use a T.R.D. first.  Thanks for the replies guys!

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Consider fishing the rig under a slip-float pegged to just tick bottom. You'll get a natural presentation and fewer hang-ups. 

[Steveo-1969]

Great idea DVT.  I hadn't thought about using a slip bobber, but I'm going to throw a couple with bobber stops in my fishing bag.