Ned head preference

[TOXIC]

On 7/25/2020 at 5:27 PM, TnRiver46 said:

Yes, and a true ned rig is supposed to use elaztech z man baits but I know you! You’re slapping a yamamoto on it. I was just offering a cheaper suggestion for the OP, I don’t think the fish care what shape the jig head is. Especially when swimming it, which is also apparently the proper ned method as opposed to bottom dragging 

I purposely didn’t say anything about the bait.  I’m surprised you think that you can throw any kind of jig head and call it a Ned.  Would a football head jig double as a Ned? Would a shakeyhead double as a Ned? MThe mushroom style of head on the Ned definitely  gives it a different action when dragged as compared to a ball head.  The Ned is meant to be dragged not swimming but whatever works for you.  I’m just saying that when someone refers to a Ned rig it’s pretty specific.  

[Cgolf]

1 hour ago, TOXIC said:

I purposely didn’t say anything about the bait.  I’m surprised you think that you can throw any kind of jig head and call it a Ned.  Would a football head jig double as a Ned? Would a shakeyhead double as a Ned? MThe mushroom style of head on the Ned definitely  gives it a different action when dragged as compared to a ball head.  The Ned is meant to be dragged not swimming but whatever works for you.  I’m just saying that when someone refers to a Ned rig it’s pretty specific.  

I definitely think the head design is more crucial than the brand of plastic. I think Zman has done a good job of both making people think that Elaztech is the only Ned bait, and also with some of their latest offerings, Big TRD, jigs with giant hooks, further confusing people about what the true Ned rig is. I know the half head and morels have a size #1 hook, not true ned heads, but man finding a size #2 or smaller is difficult in a mushroom head at a good price with a trustworthy hook. 10 years ago I might have started pouring my own, but at this point it isn't an investment I want to make.

 

Saying that about the head design, I have had some luck with a 1/16 northland fireball head. The short shanked wide gap hook really allows the bait to move a lot more and still get a good solid hookset. This was initially done out of need because at the time I was out of gopher heads and hadn't discovered the half heads and morels yet.

[spaghetti_bassin]

Caught my PB on a LiftedJigs 1/16oz EWG Ned head. The hooks are pretty light, the finish chips off pretty quickly, and they’re expensive but it worked for me in that situation. Being able to throw the Big TRD on a weedless head is money for me. 

[Fishes in trees]

Last year I found some 1/16 ox mushroom heads with the correct size hook at Walmart, made by Arkie.  Last time I looked when I was at Walmart they were out, probably to be expected, the tackle section has been decimated by rookies.