ned rig weight

[cjam93]

Hey guys I want to get into throwing the Ned rig. What would a good starting weight be to get going with this technique? I mostly large mouth fish but once ot twice a year I get to go for smallies. 20ft is pretty much the deepest I ever fish. I read a lot of people using 1/5 online. Of course if the wind is up ill need heavier, but if we say on a very low wind day what weight would you pick for 10-20ft?

[DHP]

I’ve had good results with the 1/10

[bayvalle]

The lightest weight you can use under the conditions you are fishing

[cjam93]

Ok thanks guys! Do you by chance have any experience with this rod? I was thinking about picking it up for the technique as my other spinning is not light enough. What length do you like for this? This is 6'10 and I wasnt sure if I should get a longer one or this would work?

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JTZN1R?th=1&psc=1&camp=1789&creative=9325&_encoding=UTF8&tag=jgweiss2005-20

[Scott F]

I’d never go as heavy as 1/5th. 1/10th is the heaviest I use, 1/16th the lightest. The idea is to have as slow a fall as you can. The buoyant Elaztech plastics, also help slow the fall. None of this is required, but it’s the way I do it.

[The Bassman]

8 minutes ago, cjam93 said:

Ok thanks guys! Do you by chance have any experience with this rod? I was thinking about picking it up for the technique as my other spinning is not light enough. What length do you like for this? This is 6'10 and I wasnt sure if I should get a longer one or this would work?

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JTZN1R?th=1&psc=1&camp=1789&creative=9325&_encoding=UTF8&tag=jgweiss2005-20

I've been looking that brand over for a while. (Really don't need more rods but the temptation is always there). They look really good.  I believe that's the same reel seat that's on top of the line St. Croix. I personally need to handle rods before I buy them but for the price it may be worth the gamble.

[Jig Man]

I mostly use 1/16 and 3/32.  Once in a while I use 1/8 because it is easier to throw on a bait caster.

[EGbassing]

I always use a 1/16. 

 

As for the rod, the link you posted would work fine, but you could probably get a much better one for the money if you went with a brand like Lew's, St Croix, KastKing, etc. I avoid generic brand amazon rods because I definitely don't think they're as good as a Lew's rod or something. My ned rig rod is a ML Dobyns Fury and it's a great rod. It's a little more than the one you posted, but if you're willing to spend an extra $30 or so, I would definitely recommend it.

 

Edit: Now that I look at it more, it looks like Cadence is actually a fishing company; I'd never heard of them before. Anyway, I'd say if you like that rod then buy it. It looks like pretty good quality.

[Bluebasser86]

1/16oz 95% of the time. Even used it catching them in nearly 40' at Beaver Lake once. Took almost a whole minute to reach the fish but it worked. It's a no feel presentation, so having a heavy enough weight to feel it isn't important. The light weight is a big part of irresistible movements of the bait.

[KDW96]

31 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

1/16oz 95% of the time. Even used it catching them in nearly 40' at Beaver Lake once. Took almost a whole minute to reach the fish but it worked. It's a no feel presentation, so having a heavy enough weight to feel it isn't important. The light weight is a big part of irresistible movements of the bait.

 

This is your answer

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, cjam93 said:

Ok thanks guys! Do you by chance have any experience with this rod?

I don't know the rod itself, but pretty much any good ML/F or ML/XF is good for finesse fishing.

 

I use nothing but 1/10oz with my Ned-rigs. Haven't had a reason to try different weights.

[punch]

2 hours ago, Scott F said:

I’d never go as heavy as 1/5th. 1/10th is the heaviest I use, 1/16th the lightest. The idea is to have as slow a fall as you can. The buoyant Elaztech plastics, also help slow the fall. None of this is required, but it’s the way I do it.

Ya'll must not fish rocky/sandy lakes for smallies!

 

I'm all about the heavy ned heads. I use 1/5, 3/16, 1/6 and even 1/4. I will agree 1/10 is probably the best 'all around' size for largemouth around grass, but if you fish smallies on hard bottom don't be afraid to throw the heavier ned heads. I even have some custom made in heavier weights and 2/0 owner hooks so I can fish smallies/walleye in 15-30 feet.  

 

I think most ned fisherman usually go pretty light, but I want that ned to get on the bottom as fast as possible and I want to feel every little little thing that I can. I also like fishing the ned in tournaments and if it's a windy day, you need that heavier weight to maintain the feel of the bottom in the waves. 

 

My point is.. don't be afraid to toss the heavier heads on hard bottom. You might enjoy it better, especially if you have very sensitive spinning rods. 

 

A few guides I know on Mille Lacs (world class smallie lake in MN) won't throw a Ned head lighter than 3/16. Even shallow. 

 

Smallies tend to lightly pick up a ned rig and swim off with it, and you USUALLY only detect a bite when you "lose contact" with the bottom. That's why heavier heads w/ sensitive rods is great because when you drag the ned... and you're not feeling that contact for a second... you set the hook. 

 

I always toss a ned on a 7' to 7'3 medium spinning rod w/ 10lb braid to 8lb floro leader. A lot of pro's, like Mark Daniels Jr (zman pro) will toss ned rigs on a 7' MH spinning rod. 

[Scott F]

4 minutes ago, punch said:

Ya'll must not fish rocky/sandy lakes for smallies!

 

I'm all about the heavy ned heads. I use 1/5, 3/16, 1/6 and even 1/4. I will agree 1/10 is probably the best 'all around' size for largemouth around grass, but if you fish smallies on hard bottom don't be afraid to throw the heavier ned heads. I even have some custom made in heavier weights and 2/0 owner hooks so I can fish smallies/walleye in 15-30 feet.  

 

I think most ned fisherman usually go pretty light, but I want that ned to get on the bottom as fast as possible and I want to feel every little little thing that I can. I also like fishing the ned in tournaments and if it's a windy day, you need that heavier weight to maintain the feel of the bottom in the waves. 

 

My point is.. don't be afraid to toss the heavier heads on hard bottom. You might enjoy it better, especially if you have very sensitive spinning rods. 

 

A few guides I know on Mille Lacs (world class smallie lake in MN) won't throw a Ned head lighter than 3/16. Even shallow. 

I only fish clear, rocky, lakes and rivers. From my, reading, and experience, just like with Senkos, the slow fall is one of the triggering features of the Ned rig. I don’t let the bait drag on the bottom. Just like with a Senko, there are a lot of ways you can fish Ned rig style baits. If you catch fish with your approach, great! I catch em’ with light heads. 

[Bluebasser86]

4 minutes ago, punch said:

Ya'll must not fish rocky/sandy lakes for smallies!

 

I'm all about the heavy ned heads. I use 1/5, 3/16, 1/6 and even 1/4. I will agree 1/10 is probably the best 'all around' size for largemouth around grass, but if you fish smallies on hard bottom don't be afraid to throw the heavier ned heads. I even have some custom made in heavier weights and 2/0 owner hooks so I can fish smallies/walleye in 15-30 feet.  

 

I think most ned fisherman usually go pretty light, but I want that ned to get on the bottom as fast as possible and I want to feel every little little thing that I can. I also like fishing the ned in tournaments and if it's a windy day, you need that heavier weight to maintain the feel of the bottom in the waves. 

 

My point is.. don't be afraid to toss the heavier heads on hard bottom. You might enjoy it better, especially if you have very sensitive spinning rods. 

 

A few guides I know on Mille Lacs (world class smallie lake in MN) won't throw a Ned head lighter than 3/16. Even shallow. 

All the smallie lakes I fish are rock/sand. If you're trying to feel your Ned rig, you're doing it wrong. Don't believe me? Look at the rods and reels Ned himself uses, Shakespeare rods from Walmart and he often uses 1/20oz heads even in our windy weather. Fishing a 1/16oz head in a 20mph crosswind is kind of like fly fishing for trout in a stream. My bait rarely contacts the bottom, if the line begins to swin tight it's because a fish has taken the bait.

[punch]

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

I only fish clear, rocky, lakes and rivers. From my, reading, and experience, just like with Senkos, the slow fall is one of the triggering features of the Ned rig. I don’t let the bait drag on the bottom. Just like with a Senko, there are a lot of ways you can fish Ned rig style baits. If you catch fish with your approach, great! I catch em’ with light heads. 

Yeah, there's different ways to fish them.. that's for sure. I keep all the different size heads, but over the years I just find myself gravitating to the heavier heads if the bottom is hard.  I'll go 1/10 or lighter but usually only when i'm fishing them in-or-around grass for largies. 

 

I'm just trying to make an argument for trying out heavier ned gear in deeper water for smallies. 

[tander]

All of my jigs for the Ned Rig is 1/16, that's all I throw and I fish it a lot. I will admit most of the time I am in water less than 10ft. As far as the rod, I know a lot of people use a use a M/L but I use a med., just what works for me.

[gim]

Don't forget to lighten up that drag on those neds.  I lost some big fish because I bent the light wire hooks a couple times.  Granted, a couple of those fish may have been a muskie.  I've got some of the nedlockz now and you can use a heavier setup with a more substantial hook set because the hook is reinforced.

 

I don't have great luck with the ned in weedy habitat.  It tends to get hung up too much.  I know they make one with a weed guard but I haven't tried it so maybe someone else can chime in on whether they are effective in the vegetation.

[punch]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Don't forget to lighten up that drag on those neds.  I lost some big fish because I bent the light wire hooks a couple times.  Granted, a couple of those fish may have been a muskie.  I've got some of the nedlockz now and you can use a heavier setup with a more substantial hook set because the hook is reinforced.

 

I don't have great luck with the ned in weedy habitat.  It tends to get hung up too much.  I know they make one with a weed guard but I haven't tried it so maybe someone else can chime in on whether they are effective in the vegetation.

Yeah the regular shroomz heads are trash. The hooks either break or the plastic keeper breaks. Step up to the nedlockz or go custom made and pick the hooks you want. 

[MN Fisher]

3 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Don't forget to lighten up that drag on those neds.

Can't emphasize this enough. The lighter weights of Ned-jigs have light-wire hooks. Keep that drag as light as you can while still being able to reel in the fish.

[snake95]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

All the smallie lakes I fish are rock/sand. If you're trying to feel your Ned rig, you're doing it wrong. Don't believe me? Look at the rods and reels Ned himself uses, Shakespeare rods from Walmart and he often uses 1/20oz heads even in our windy weather. Fishing a 1/16oz head in a 20mph crosswind is kind of like fly fishing for trout in a stream. My bait rarely contacts the bottom, if the line begins to swin tight it's because a fish has taken the bait.

 

I learned to fish the Ned rig by reading posts by @Team9nine and Bluebasser back in 2016.  I followed all their advice, and have them to thank for experiencing several of the best bass fishing days of my life.  They got me to go to the source and read Ned's actual articles.  Now my kids and I are out there with our 1/16 oz heads and ML Abu rods from the clearance rack at Walmart putting a serious hurting on largemouth in Georgia and smallies in Ontario.  

[punch]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

All the smallie lakes I fish are rock/sand. If you're trying to feel your Ned rig, you're doing it wrong. Don't believe me? Look at the rods and reels Ned himself uses, Shakespeare rods from Walmart and he often uses 1/20oz heads even in our windy weather. Fishing a 1/16oz head in a 20mph crosswind is kind of like fly fishing for trout in a stream. My bait rarely contacts the bottom, if the line begins to swin tight it's because a fish has taken the bait.

Sorry I don't believe you haha. Ned himself says a way he fishes it is to drag and shake it ok the bottom. Infact most of the techniques he talks about involve bottom contact. Yes he uses light heads, but that doesn't mean it's the only way to fish it. I've have a lot of success dragging and deadsticking a Ned on the bottom for smallies (and walleyes). I won a tournament this year dragging a 1/5oz Ned over a rock pile very slowly. I don't see why feeling the bottom is a bad thing? Guess it's just an angler preference. I doubt the fish care that much.

 

 

[cjam93]

5 hours ago, The Bassman said:

I've been looking that brand over for a while. (Really don't need more rods but the temptation is always there). They look really good.  I believe that's the same reel seat that's on top of the line St. Croix. I personally need to handle rods before I buy them but for the price it may be worth the gamble.

I will say that my dad has the medium spinning rod from this brand and it is very nice. I just have not handled the ml and i wasnt sure if it was the right feel for this technique. I am leaning towards it though

Thanks for all the responses guys! I appreciate it

[Heartland]

1/16th and 3/32, depth and wind dependent.   I don't mind if it ticks a rock or something once in a while, but I fish very light FC leaders in waters that are heavily infested with zebra muscle and don't want it touching anything more than necessary.

[smalljaw67]

5 hours ago, punch said:

Sorry I don't believe you haha. Ned himself says a way he fishes it is to drag and shake it ok the bottom. Infact most of the techniques he talks about involve bottom contact. Yes he uses light heads, but that doesn't mean it's the only way to fish it. I've have a lot of success dragging and deadsticking a Ned on the bottom for smallies (and walleyes). I won a tournament this year dragging a 1/5oz Ned over a rock pile very slowly. I don't see why feeling the bottom is a bad thing? Guess it's just an angler preference. I doubt the fish care that much.

 

 

 

Feeling the bottom with heavier heads isn't a bad thing at all nor is fishing the rig in cover. The issue is you aren't fishing a Ned rig, you are fishing a shaky head or jig worm and there is a big difference. Bluebasser86 is correct, it is a "no feel" presentation and while some of the standard retrieves for the rig require you make bottom contact, it is just barely on the bottom with a light weight, not digging or hugging the bottom. I know a lot of guys like weed guards but if you need a weed guard you are fishing the rig in areas where other techniques will work. I had some correspondence with Ned through email and he summed it up perfectly, if the fish is positioned in, or close to cover, a T-rigged worm or the heavier jig worms and even crankbaits will probably work. The reason for the rig is because of the waters the originators of the rig fish, they are often trying to coax bass, that are cruising in open water or suspended and not relating to anything, to bite and a jig worm is too heavy and moves to fast and a shaky head is too large to get these fish to bite. So using heavier heads to maintain contact with the bottom isn't wrong, it is just a different technique, you are fishing a jig worm and calling it a Ned rig.

[bayvalle]

12 hours ago, cjam93 said:

Ok thanks guys! Do you by chance have any experience with this rod? I was thinking about picking it up for the technique as my other spinning is not light enough. What length do you like for this? This is 6'10 and I wasnt sure if I should get a longer one or this would work?

 

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JTZN1R?th=1&psc=1&camp=1789&creative=9325&_encoding=UTF8&tag=jgweiss2005-20

If you are going to buy that rod on Amazon you should download WikiBuy. It will save you $7.