A Nod to Ned, 5/7/17

[Will Wetline]

Preface

 

I wrote this report to pique the interest of anglers on a couple of "local" forums read by anglers mainly from Massachusetts and surrounding states from whom, with two exceptions, I have not heard Ned's name mentioned. My interest came from the wealth of information on Bass Resource and I thank everyone who contributed.

 

My introduction to this report will be old news to most BR readers so go right to my day on the water with the Ned rig or review Mr. Kehde's interview on the evolution of this extremely effective finesse presentation. It's worth studying.

 

 

"So who's Ned?" you ask. I'm talking about the venerable Mr. Ned Kehde of Kansas who, for the past five decades or so, has been practicing and promoting "finesse" fishing - light lines and small baits for bass. Open the link below to learn more.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqGTzPt6TIQ&t=11s

 

Here's a video produced by Z Man who worked with Ned developing this finesse presentation:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1CNKnbmMKU

 

When Do-it Molds introduced their Midwest Finesse Jig Mold with Wire Keeper I had to have one.

 

 

Living and fishing in Massachusetts, a state which prohibits lead jigs weighing less than an ounce, I cast these from an alloy of 88% bismuth/12% tin which is approximately 85% the weight of lead. Bismuth's expansion while cooling is not a problem with this mold; just grip the sprue with linemans pliers and lift up and out.

 

I took my Ned heads to Quabbin Reservoir on yet another cold, blustery morning in this year's goofy spring. Starting setup was a Finesse TRD on a 7' medium power St. Croix Premier.  8 lb. Silver Thread AN40 copolymer filled a Stradic 4000. With #1 and 1/0 hooks I want a light drag setting and a "soft" rod. 

 

Here's my first customer:

 

 

Actually, this was my second. Line control was nearly nil in the wind and a few casts prior to #1's arrival, I felt a fish on once I got the slack out. Good weight which must have grabbed the bait on the drop. She was on for only a few seconds, though.

 

 

The merry month of May you say? Not this day. But I was able to block out the cold, the wind and the rain for a brief period while I gave a 3 lber. its photo op.  

 

 

The weather hadn't fully immobilized me yet so I hoisted this 2 1/4 lber. for a pic. This little one tapped Ned toward the end of the retrieve. I had been dragging, twitching, trembling, shaking and occasionally bopping Ned along the bottom thinking the water's still too cold (55.2º) for a swimming retrieve.

 

By 9:30 I had worked this area thoroughly and headed Outside to the wide open spaces after pulling up both hoods and zipping the parka's collar over my mustache.

 

Here's what didn't produce: deep diving suspending jerk, GYCB Hula Grub, Spin Bait 80, the Ned rig. Hmph. Water temp out here was 52.9º. Maybe should have tried a blade bait.

 

As on the last trip, my morning hot spot was cold in the afternoon.

 

There was still time to check another location on my way back to Gate 43, a long ridge which dropped into deep water. Here I decided to try the TRD on the lightest outfit I use on this very clear water reservoir, a 6 1/2' ML St. Croix Avid paired up with a Stradic 2500 spooled with 6 lb. Tatsu.

 

Was it windy at 3:00? Well, I dropped anchor into 20' and let out about 60' of 1/4" nylon. It dragged. The heck with it - I'd drag and cast.

 

 

Why is my brow furrowed holding this cute little 2 lber.? Because not long before this fish ate the TRD I lost a smallmouth well over 4 lbs. I don't rush fish on 6 lb. line and, after playing Big Mama carefully for a minute perhaps, she spit the bait -ptooey! - on her third jump. AARGH!!!

 

Nevermind.

 

 

Ah, redemption. This mama of slightly less than 4 lbs. made me feel much better. Played her for quite a while, in the water, in the air, away from the anchor line, under the boat until I was able to slowly slide her into the flat-bottomed, rubber-bagged net. Whew.

 

At this point I've had enough. Nine hours in the cold, rain and wind made this gray bearded bassmaster feel a bit blurry. I'll be back in a couple of days though, and you can be sure that Ned will be aboard.

 

 

 

 

[roadwarrior]

GREAT post!

 

[Bluebasser86]

Stop spreading these nasty rumors that the Ned rig catches big fish! Everyone knows it only catches dinks! Nothing to see here.

[Darren.]

Love it! And yeah, I'm with @Bluebasser86, quit extolling

the value of the Ned Rig. I'm only a month into it and haven't

been skunked once! Wait, just kidding. I'm sure I've been skunked

since using the Ned........nope. Of course doesn't mean it won't

happen, just sayin'.

Edited May 13, 2017 by Darren.

[PECo]

Thanks for the post. I've been dying to give this a shot.

[lonnie g]

I like the post! I am deffinatly getting me one! or two, or three, or so!!!

[A-Jay]

Don't know how I missed this one ~ 

Well Done and rather timely I might add.

A-Jay