Ned rod

[Davvy C]

I’m looking for a rod specifically for ned rigging. I’ve dedicated almost all of my fishing to it in the past year and a half. I’m looking for a rod where the tip is so light the fish can bite and run but not feel the weight of the rod. Ideally, it should have enough power in the butt section to fight a fish. Does anyone know any rods like this?

[plawren53202]

In my experience a ML spinning rod is the ideal Ned rod. In watching the tournaments up north lately, it seems like a lot of them use a ML spinning rod for Ned rigs (or dropshots), for instance I saw a lot of ML setups when MLF was on Sturgeon Bay.

 

I have the Daiwa Aird-X in ML (7'0") as my Ned rod. For the price range I can't recommend it highly enough, and it has a lot of fans around here. Very sensitive, nice light tip; sensitive and light enough to feel bites and have some fun fighting the dinks in the public ponds around me. At the same time, it has enough backbone that I landed a 34" gar on a recent trip to Kentucky Lake.

 

Having said all of that, I'm sure there are lots of great ML spinning rods if you want to spend a little more. I love my Dobyns Fury in M and I have no doubt it would be an excellent rod for Ned rigs in ML. I just had to go a little cheaper when I picked up my ML rod. 

 

One thing I'll add, not sure if you're using braid or not, but any spinning rod becomes markedly more sensitive if you use a braid/leader combo. I have Sufix 832 braid/Sufix Advance copolymer leader on all of my spinning setups; 10# braid/6# leader on ML, and 15# braid/8# leader on M. When I first switched to braid/leader quite a while back, I couldn't believe the instant improvement in sensitivity. 

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, plawren53202 said:

Having said all of that, I'm sure there are lots of great ML spinning rods if you want to spend a little more. I love my Dobyns Fury in M and I have no doubt it would be an excellent rod for Ned rigs in ML. I just had to go a little cheaper when I picked up my ML rod.

I can vouch for the Fury. I have the 702SF that I use for all my finesse work. Light, sensitive...great rod for the price.

[Bluebasser86]

I use a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass 6' 10" M/L XF for my Ned rigs. Pretty much the only thing I ever use the rod for and it gets used a lot.

[BrianMDTX]

I’ll let you know after this weekend. Just received my Daiwa Procyon PCYN661MXS rod yesterday. I tapped the tag hanging off the front guide and it felt like a bite. It appears to be very sensitive. 
 

It’s an XF action but seems more close to a F than XF to me. But I need to cast baits and catch fish with it to be certain. 

[LCG]

I use a medium xf rated for 1/8-1/2oz lures, so in puts the rod in the medium light-medium power range. The tip is great for hooksets as I texas rig the TRD on a size 2 EWG alot. As for fighting the fish, it offers a good fight but not too much over powering either. It's a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'8" M-Xf spinning rod. 

[optimator]

I dedicated my Sierra 692 to being a Ned rod. I like it. 

[DitchPanda]

My main Ned rod is a Dobyns Sierra 702 which is a 7ft medium light and I love it. I've got it set up with a Daiwa RG 2500 with 6lb yo zuri hybrid and it works great.

[basser27]

Yup Dobyns 702 is what you’re looking for. Soft tip but backbone

[DitchPanda]

19 minutes ago, basser27 said:

Yup Dobyns 702 is what you’re looking for. Soft tip but backbone

They really are a great finesse rod..heck I even throw small twisters for crappie on mine. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

[MickD]

One of the reasons for most going with light or ML power is that it will load properly to cast the light ned jigs.  So walleye jigging rods will work well.  Select a rod with the recommended lure weight that includes your intended lure weight.This will allow you to comfortably cast the ned.  Use braid of about 10 pound test, with an FC leader, and you will have a very sensitive ned outfit.  If you don't want to use braid, then use 6 pound test mono.

 

[Finessegenics]

Not sure what your budget is but I personally use St Croix’s 6’10 ML/XF sticks. To me, it has to be a ML because it offers the easiest/most accurate casting with a 1/16 oz jighead. I know some people who still use M rods despite the light jig heads because they are worried about big fish overpowering a ML rod. A quality ML rod will have the backbone needed for powerful fish. Unless you’re buying some 10$ rod I wouldn’t worry about big fish overpowering you. 
 

On 8/11/2020 at 7:26 PM, Davvy C said:

I’m looking for a rod where the tip is so light the fish can bite and run but not feel the weight of the rod.

Even though I use the 6’10 ML, since you specifically mentioned what you want your rod to do, I’d recommend a 7’6 ML (or anywhere around 7’6). The reason being is that you will often “see” the fish before feeling it. Since the rod will be so long and soft, you’ll see your rod tip deflecting from a bite before you can even feel it. Even if your rod is XF, there will be a good portion of the rod deflecting before it becomes pure backbone. This gives some hope that the fish will hold on longer since it will take more time for it to feel the resistance. Still, we don’t know at what point fish realize they are hooked or what makes them  aware that their prey is the real thing or not. In a way, some resistance is natural. I’m sure crawfish don’t get swallowed by a bass without a bit of a fight. St Croix makes the 7’6 ML/XF in a lot of their series and even offer it in 2 pieces if storage may be an issue for you. 

[looking45]

Gloomis SJR IMX 781. Real light tip, but the rod has a lot of backbone. 

[Steelhead]

I use L/ML 7' 6" rods. The waters I fish are clear to very clear so I like the longer rods for distance. My favourite rod is the IMX-Pro 901SJR(Light/Fast) with a soft tip. I also use a St.Croix Eyecon 76MLXF2(Medium light/extra fast) I got it for a great price last winter. Very happy with it. I gotta say it exceeded my expectations. Nice light tip and has a strong butt section. Love the reel seat and handle. 

 

I've used the Dobyns Champion 702SF. It was OK for the technique. For me, if I was to purchase a Dobyns rod for Nedding I would go for a 1 power. Hands down, I prefer the Eyecon over the Champion. More sensitive and casts the lighter Neds better and it's cheaper. 

 

 

 

 

[fishindad]

If you fish with braid to leader the ML power is best. If you fish straight fluorocarbon or mono then a M power rod will work better. Especially if you fish for smallies on Erie.

[JediAmoeba]

I use a ML 7'0" Dropshot Tatula Elite rod.  It works very well but sometimes I wish the rod had a bit more parabolic bend to it on bigger fish.  

[ChrisD46]

On 8/11/2020 at 10:57 PM, plawren53202 said:

In my experience a ML spinning rod is the ideal Ned rod. In watching the tournaments up north lately, it seems like a lot of them use a ML spinning rod for Ned rigs (or dropshots), for instance I saw a lot of ML setups when MLF was on Sturgeon Bay.

 

I have the Daiwa Aird-X in ML (7'0") as my Ned rod. For the price range I can't recommend it highly enough, and it has a lot of fans around here. Very sensitive, nice light tip; sensitive and light enough to feel bites and have some fun fighting the dinks in the public ponds around me. At the same time, it has enough backbone that I landed a 34" gar on a recent trip to Kentucky Lake.

 

Having said all of that, I'm sure there are lots of great ML spinning rods if you want to spend a little more. I love my Dobyns Fury in M and I have no doubt it would be an excellent rod for Ned rigs in ML. I just had to go a little cheaper when I picked up my ML rod. 

 

One thing I'll add, not sure if you're using braid or not, but any spinning rod becomes markedly more sensitive if you use a braid/leader combo. I have Sufix 832 braid/Sufix Advance copolymer leader on all of my spinning setups; 10# braid/6# leader on ML, and 15# braid/8# leader on M. When I first switched to braid/leader quite a while back, I couldn't believe the instant improvement in sensitivity. 

+1 on the ML rod set up for the Ned rig , also +1 on the M rod set up (which is ideal for a Shaky Head set up) .

[ike8120]

I am using a Dobyns Fury702SF  7' 1pc. 6-12lb, 1/8-1/2oz, Med/Light Fast Action

[NOC 1]

For Ned rigs, I've been using an OG Daiwa Black Label ML/R with a Daiwa PX68R for the lighter stuff, an F3 Megabass Speed tip Custom (solid tip) with a Daiwa SS SV 103 upgraded to a Zillion SV TW G1 spool for the stuff that is a little heavier. I will also use an Abu Volatile ML/XF (really supposed to be an inshore rod) with a Daiwa PX68R from time to time.

[waymont]

I feel like a lot of people fish the ned rig on too heavy of a rod. I see a lot of people fish it on a medium spinning rod.

For me my all time favorite ned rig rod is a Kuying Teton 6'6" light action rod. It has a moderate fast action, and will bend deep when fighting big fish. I very very rarely have fish come off with this rod. I match it with a Tatula LT 2000, 8lb braid, and 8lb fluoro leader. It's a very sensitive rod and has the perfect tip. It's crisp, but doesn't have too fast of a tip. I have caught many 2-4lb SMB, and a few 3lb LMB on it, keeps them pinned.

[NOC 1]

24 minutes ago, waymont said:

I feel like a lot of people fish the ned rig on too heavy of a rod. I see a lot of people fish it on a medium spinning rod.

For me my all time favorite ned rig rod is a Kuying Teton 6'6" light action rod. It has a moderate fast action, and will bend deep when fighting big fish. I very very rarely have fish come off with this rod. I match it with a Tatula LT 2000, 8lb braid, and 8lb fluoro leader. It's a very sensitive rod and has the perfect tip. It's crisp, but doesn't have too fast of a tip. I have caught many 2-4lb SMB, and a few 3lb LMB on it, keeps them pinned.

I am considering a Light action casting rod lately. I am considering having something built. I am thinking along the lines of a Phenix Iron Feather blank 7'1" EX Ln. 1-7, lure 1/16-3/8, Titanium with SiC guides etc. Or maybe something built on a Walleye spinning blank of some sort. Still working it out I guess.

 

Maybe I'll try making it myself, but then again I don't it think it would be a wise move to build my first rod on a $200 blank, so...

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

My St Croix Avid 8' med light moderate rod is excellent for neds. The tip loads very nicely and fish stay pinned. I use 8# nanofil so the no stretch gives it better hook setting and perceived strength as well as greater sensitivity than braid.

[JohnFromLisbon]

Totally agree with all the ML recommendations. I got an 852S IMX-PRO for the lighter stuff, fishing braid to a leader, and I've lost a lot of fish on the ned, even on the heavier heads with larger hooks. Just last week I was able to land 2, but lost 4 fish.

 

I'll definitely be getting something lighter with a more parabolic curve, like a DSR or a lighter MBR.

[Sphynx]

I will often use a 7'MF spinning rod because as a bank beater I don't really have the luxury of taking many rods, if I happen to have my trout rods with me I'll usually use one of them, 7'L and 7'UL respectively, the L is spooled with 6lb nanofil, and the UL has 4lb, definitely more sensitive than the 7'MF, but I don't think it's enough of an advantage for me to consider it worth packing the extra rod just for it.

[Mr.C in Texas]

Just remember the Ned rig isn't as light as many think.  It's pretty easy to reach 1/4oz. on a small Ned.  I mostly fish it with a ml spinning setup but I have found my ml casting setup to work well also.  Just make sure you have enough load in the tip.