Jig Heads

[SEB]

Specifically for a ned rig, how much would your presentation be altered by using different jig head shapes? I have rounded, mushroom shaped, and fish head shaped jig heads.  Would you guys recommend one over the others, or is the head shape not really important?

[Finessegenics]

Depends on how you plan to fish it and how heavy the heads are. I’d say the head shape isn’t the most important part of the ned rig if you’re using a lightweight jig head. I’m talking around 1/16 oz. The buoyant plastic is what I believe is most important. If you’re using a buoyant plastic and a light jig head then you should be alright with any style head. With a light head you should be barely bouncing bottom and just kind of “gliding” it. If im not mistaken the original idea of the ned rig was just a small plastic and very very light ball head jig. 
 

Now if you plan to use it for standing up on bottom: when using heavier jig heads (1/8 oz and heavier) a mushroom shaped head excels since it’ll stand up better on the bottom. That being said, everyone seems to assume you need to find a head that is perfectly flat so the bait can stand up perfectly. I don’t think that’s necessary since the bottom is full of rocks/debris and uneven terrain so any jig head that is mushroom style should keep the bait at least relatively upright. I like the Berkley Half Head jigs for that. They are rounded rather than flat. Affordable and great hooks. The TRDs can be a little hard to rig because of the keeper on the berkleys  but once they’re on, they’re not coming off. 
 

I also suggest testing this out in a little pot at home. Fill it up with water, have your plastics ready with the heads you want, tie on the line you’ll be using and play around with it. You’ll end up finding what you like.

[Jig Man]

I do a lot of finesse fishing and have used all shapes of heads.  For most of it the shape of the head is not relevant for me.  However, when fishing an Elaztech product and not swimming it, I want the mushroom head so that it has a better chance of settling with the tail in the air.  If I am swimming then a minnow or aspirin head is better for me but I only swim them when it is windy.