Trd Ned Rig

[ADM]

I've hear a lot about the ned rig from TRD and have seen a couple of small post on the subject. I was wondering if anyone has some good AND BAD experiences with it. I've herd a lot of good things about it but not anything bad. I don't know if that's because its all good or the people who have had the bad and the ugly with it just don't care to even talk about it. Let me know something and give me some advice on it. I am new to BR btw!

[MIbassyaker]

Heh, I tried it this week for the first time for 30min, on a section of a river that has both SM and LM in it (but not necessarily prime waters for either). Caught a couple white bass, which I didn't even know were in there. Cabela's only had the 1/6 shroomz head, and everybody recommends the smaller ones (1/10 and 1/16, I believe), but I got the 1/6 anyway thinking they might be well-suited for river current. I suppose they were....I'm looking forward to trying them upriver a ways where the smallies are more numerous.

 

So: an atypical experience, perhaps. But not a bad one, really. I don't have a sense, though, of how much advantage the TRD+Shroomz head really has (if any) over other sorts of small plastic bodies on jigheads.

[Glenn]

I suppose you could say I've had success. 

 

Check out the fish I caught on the Ned rig in this video: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/ned-rig.html

[Bluebasser86]

I catch hundreds of fish on a Ned Rig each year since I learned about it a few years ago. The TRD is nice, but I prefer 1/2 of a Zinker for mine, just seems like they last longer than the TRD does, although they're a bit more work to put together since you have to cut a Zinker in half, which isn't always easy. 

 

The TRD (The Real Deal), is actually the name of the bait, Z-man is the name of the company that makes the TRD, which is used primarily for a Ned Rig

[Tony L.]

The only real critique that I have heard so far is that it catches a LOT of smaller fish alongside a few behemoths. Probably not the best choice if you are a trophy Hunter on a time constraint and don't have the time to mess with the little guys too.

Until the next ultimate tackle trend rolls along and people start jumping ship, I don't think there is too much of anything bad that you'll hear. Right now it is a lure that a lot of people have confidence in. Bad days on a confidence bait are attributed to the conditions and not the technique :-)

The negative reviews will start coming in once somebody discovers a technique that works better and confidence goes in a new direction. Even then though, it will be more of a "the Ned rig is still the best choice under xxx conditions" as opposed to slamming it.

[JSchwartzy]

  It's not even fair sometimes with the Ned Rig, definitely a new confidence lure for me this year. The only negatives you will hear from me are hang-ups which happens quite a bit with the exposed hook and sometimes the TRD has a tendency to ball up on the keeper.

 

  When you land a big one the bait sometimes seems to twist around the keeper and wad up and in those instances I have to re-rig which can sometimes be a pain cause the elaztech doesn't want to come off that keeper. The bait lasts forever though, you will lose your jig long before you would have to switch a TRD out. I'm not sure if others have had the same experience with the Ned Rig because I use the VMC Half Moon Head which is pretty much the same thing as the Shroomz that ZMan makes. Maybe the slight variation in keeper is causing this problems, not too sure.

[IndyGlockMan]

How is the NED rig different than a "Shaky head" rig?

Looks like the NED is more 90 degree straight up where a Shaky is at an angle.

Fished the same way?  Same technique?

[Team9nine]

Lots and lots of info out there already, as well as what's been written above. One thing I will add is that it's not a magic bait. There are times when larger lures will simply outfish the Ned Rig badly. These are usually pre-spawn trips with conditions that most bassers would consider to be ideal - cloud cover, heavy wind, warming trend. Doesn't always happen, but it's been noted by MF regulars several times. It is just another tool for the arsenal, albeit one of the most consistent fish catchers you'll find under the right conditions (i.e., when following directions). 

 

How is the NED rig different than a "Shaky head" rig?

Looks like the NED is more 90 degree straight up where a Shaky is at an angle.

Fished the same way?  Same technique?

 

In the sense that a shaky head and a Ned Rig are both just versions of jig-worming which has been around since the 1960s, then you could say they are at least all similar. However, Midwest Finesse (Ned Rig) anglers consider shakyhead fishing to be a form of "power finesse". It uses larger hooks, larger jigheads, and larger baits. It also is based around at least a semi-weedless (Tex-posed) presentation. Midwest finesse is small hooks , small baits, light jigheads, and a generally open hook presentation. To quote Ned:

 

 

"The primary mission of the modern day Midwest finesse anglers is not aimed at catching five-, six-, seven- and eight-pound largemouth bass. Instead, its goal is to catch a lot of bass, which they found to be a difficult endeavor when they employed  power tactics, as well as the finesse schemes of the Japanese and West Coast bass anglers.  These anglers also contend that the shaky-head jigs and deep-water drop-shot rigs used by most tournament anglers are not part of the Midwest finesse repertoire.

 

 

 

-T9

[Avalonjohn44]

Negative about the Ned rig? Trying to find TRDs in the store. Can't find them, or most ZMan plastics, locally anywhere. Where the heck do you get them if you can't shop online? 

[Team9nine]

Negative about the Ned rig? Trying to find TRDs in the store. Can't find them, or most ZMan plastics, locally anywhere. Where the heck do you get them if you can't shop online? 

 

Don't worry about TRDs too much and instead look for Z-Man ZinkerZ (the Senko-like bait) or the Strike King 3X Zero (both made of the same material), then simply cut them in half. It's what we all used before they created the TRDs, and what many of us still use instead of...It's even cheaper to do it this way. Might want to grab some 3X SK Finesse worms while you're at it. too.

 

-T9

[Avalonjohn44]

Don't worry about TRDs too much and instead look for Z-Man ZinkerZ (the Senko-like bait) or the Strike King 3X Zero (both made of the same material), then simply cut them in half. It's what we all used before they created the TRDs, and what many of us still use instead of...It's even cheaper to do it this way. Might want to grab some 3X SK Finesse worms while you're at it. too.

 

-T9

 

I am doing that. I have about 10 packs, but they all sink. Most of my other elaztec/3x Strike King baits float, but not the zeros.  I know eventually the zeros will float once the salt disolves, but I wanted the TRDs since I was under the impression that they already floated and stood straight up from the bottome. Is that not the case?

[F14A-B]

Welcome to Bassresource..

[jonnyblazex]

  The TRD will sink as well.  The Z man company seems to be putting salt HEAVILY into the batches that I have gotten as of recent.  Salt is cheaper than plastic.  Even the Strike King zeros will sink, regardless if its cut in half of not, but it is the same material, and I agree its durable.  I have soaked these baits overnight in warm water, hoping they would float, and they didn't float when I checked them in the morning.  Put it on a light jighead, and it will still tip over and not point straight up like you want it to.  Bottom line is that I don't really think this makes a huge difference, although one worm in elaztec will last a really long time.  They do hang up easily, and do catch a lot of small fish, but the big gals will also choke it down maybe if they want a snack.  Try fishing it in a variety of methods, and see which works best for you is the best advice I Know,  

[Team9nine]

I am doing that. I have about 10 packs, but they all sink. Most of my other elaztec/3x Strike King baits float, but not the zeros.  I know eventually the zeros will float once the salt disolves, but I wanted the TRDs since I was under the impression that they already floated and stood straight up from the bottome. Is that not the case?

 

Not quite - they're both very similar in that regard. Check out the following video that will answer all your questions on the matter. Oh, one quick tip...when you start with a new bait, grab the head just behind the hook and stretch the heck out of the back half of the bait. It will help dislodge the salt and make it dissolve faster.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd-YvSXhnmw

 

-T9

[Avalonjohn44]

Awesome video, thanks. Now back to the problem of finding those darn TRDs in a brick and mortar...

[Cgolf]

So my 2 cents on the rig for river fishing. I could only find 1 bag of the Zinker zs locally so I am using those cut in half.

I have had had good luck with the rig so far, catching 3 dinks and an 18 an19" Smallie. The biggest plus for the bait is the bouancy. While I would still snag on and bounce off of rocks which is what I wanted, it hasn't wedged itself in a snag or even snag such that the hook would be damaged. That right there makes it a winner.

Is this going to be my best bait this year, who knows. But it definitely has found a spot in my river box. As for the lake I see it as a tool, you could switch between brands and the Z man plastics will give the bait a different fall rate, fall attitude, and action on the bottom vs half a senko or dinger. I am guessing each would work at different times.

[Fishes in trees]

My primary issue with the ned rig is that the open hook hang up ALOT - for me, anyway.  I'm ring to keep all the ned rig stuff in my boat and when I get around 45 degree banks or steeper, with clay, or creek rock or bigger rocks, I'll break it out.

 

For me, where I fish, I need a tx rigged bait so I don't get hung as much.  Therefore, more often than not in the future, I'm taking the rod I use for ned rig fishing (5'4" Fenwick HMG spinning rig, 1000 size Shimano reel and 10 lb Nanofill with an 8 lb fluorocarbon leader) and I'm throwing 1/16 and 1/8 oz Brewer slider heads with the Brewer 4" worm.   That bait seems to come through vegetation better for me than the open hook ned rig.

[A KGB Operative]

Due to TW sale,

Recommended colors?

And also, recommended hooks? I'm having a huge difficulty putting the shroomz hooks in my cart. Too pricey

[Cgolf]

My primary issue with the ned rig is that the open hook hang up ALOT - for me, anyway.  I'm ring to keep all the ned rig stuff in my boat and when I get around 45 degree banks or steeper, with clay, or creek rock or bigger rocks, I'll break it out.

 

For me, where I fish, I need a tx rigged bait so I don't get hung as much.  Therefore, more often than not in the future, I'm taking the rod I use for ned rig fishing (5'4" Fenwick HMG spinning rig, 1000 size Shimano reel and 10 lb Nanofill with an 8 lb fluorocarbon leader) and I'm throwing 1/16 and 1/8 oz Brewer slider heads with the Brewer 4" worm.   That bait seems to come through vegetation better for me than the open hook ned rig.

Haven't tried it yet, but wonder how it would work on a slider head? It should still float up in the tail because of the plastic. Slider heads are underrated by many, love those things.

[Bluebasser86]

Haven't tried it yet, but wonder how it would work on a slider head? It should still float up in the tail because of the plastic. Slider heads are underrated by many, love those things.

I'm sure they would work, although it's going to hinder some of the action and be more difficult to hook a fish.

 

This was my solution to snaggy areas before I started pouring my own weedless mushroom heads. 1/8oz swinging football head with a 2/0 short shank EWG Owner rigging hook.

[Sea NaCl]

The ned rig is simply just a worm on a jig. If you have a jig and put the right stuff on it you can basically catch fish anywhere.

[KayakBasser]

I thought is was Just a small fish bait but On the first cast before it hit the bottom I caught a three pounder, a couple casts later I hooked into a 7 pounder...fun fight on ten pound test.NOTHING bad.

[bassr95]

Negatives?...It's an open hook bait meant to be fished on or near the bottom. That makes it useless in the weedy water I usually fish, I know because I tried it.

[Bluebasser86]

Negatives?...It's an open hook bait meant to be fished on or near the bottom. That makes it useless in the weedy water I usually fish, I know because I tried it.

Fish the edges of the grass. If you've ever read Ned's blog he fishes lakes with grass frequently. One of them gets packed with weeds, I know I fished the same lake today and even after they killed off a bunch of weeds it still has way more than most of the lakes in the area. 

[Master Bait'r]

Guys. The rig is a concept, not a definition. Using the principles that make the Ned work, you can adapt it as Blue has shown above or in many MANY ways to fit your situation. I love experimenting out on the water!