Setting up a dedicated Ned rig combo

[BrianMDTX]

I have not had much success with a Ned rig, but that’s probably due to limited number of baits, only one size of mushroom jig heads and not spending enough time to give it a true test. I’ve placed an order for some lighter jig heads (1/10 oz) and various Z-Man baits.  Now I need to set up a combo dedicated to fishing the Ned rig. 
 

I have three spinning rods available. A St Croix Bass-X MLXF; a Daiwa Procyon MXF and a Fenwick HMX MF (the Daiwa and Fenwick are 6’ 6” and the St. Croix is 6’ 10”). I have three reels: a Daiwa Revros 2000 and a 2500; and a Shimano Sienna 2500. Currently the Shimano is spooled with 20 lb. Seguar Smackdown with a 6 lb. mono leader and the Revros 2500 is spooled with 20 lb. Sufix 832 and a 6 lb. leader. The 2000 is straight 6 lb. mono. 
 

Which reel would you put on what rod, and what line(s)? I’m fishing ponds which are stained water (about 1’ visibility) and a maximum depth of 7’-8’. I was simply going to stay with the Bass-X and the Revros 2000, but spool it with 10 lb. braid with a 6 lb. mono leader. I like both the Sufix 832 and Seguar Smackdown but am open to options. 
 

All opinions are welcome, except for buying a new rod and reel lol. It won’t please the BM but that’s not an option at this point in time. 

[leinad]

light line ( i use 6# mono only ) , light rod ( l or ml ) , light reel ( adjust that drag ) because you do not want to bend the light hooks on those nedhead jigs

[new2BC4bass]

I like your conclusion.  I've not used my Ned Rig enough yet to determine if I like braid (current set up) or mono (not tried yet).  I think I went a little too light with my braid.  It's less than 10#.  Definitely need a leader on my braid for abrasion resistance.  I don't fish where abrasion is normally a concern, but the braid I'm using is so thin it frays with twigs in the water. 

[Eric 26]

I’m using a 6’-3” light powered x-fast action rod with a 1500 size reel spooled with 7lb sea knight monofilament. I’m using both a z- man 1/10 oz and shur set 1/16 oz Ned heads. I would stay with the St. Croix with monofilament combo and if need be power up on the rod if necessary. I’ve had good luck also with the Lunker Hunt pre rigged finesse worm and pre rigged craws, the heads on those are 1/4 oz but I use the same setup, bumping up to a 6’-6”med power moderate action rod with straight 10lb Daiwa J-braid if the weeds are problematic (summer only) usually.

Edited November 16, 2021 by Eric 26
Added photo

[Jig Man]

I fish Ned a lot, enough that I have 5 setups dedicated to Ned rigs.  IMO the rod length is not nearly as important stiffness.  All of mine are ML and under 7’.  The spinning setups are on 1000 and 2000 size reels.

 

There are 2 factors that are more important than the rod and reel, line type and size and jig head weight.  Around here 6# fluorocarbon line will bring mono and braid guys to their knees no matter if they are fishing in the front or back of the boat.  The jig head weight has a lot to do with productivity.  I make my own and carry several sizes.  By far the 1/16 oz out produces the other sizes.  
 

The old standby TRD has been my best bait.  I have 22 colors and have caught fish on 20 of them.

[T-Billy]

6'10" ML, 2000 Revros since it's already spooled with mono and will probably balance well with that rod. I fish a TRD Bug alot on a 1/8 football head #2 hook, 6# XT. I lose a lot less jumping fish with straight mono, and don't feel like I miss many bites. A light spinning combo has pretty good sensitivity even with mono, and fish generally hold that light little bait a long time.

My ned setup is a Tharp MM Special. 6'10" MLXF with a 2000 Penn Battle III. It's a sweet setup for ned'n. Also works nicely for catching those tasty crappie.

[BrianMDTX]

Thanks for the comments. I was definitely leaning towards the Bass-X (as it’s a ML vs a M action) and that Revros 2000 is a nice reel. Just not sure about the line. I like mono and I like braid w/mono leader as well. Just not sure which way to go. I like the sensitivity of braid. But in shallow water, I like the way mono sinks more than braid. Just have to decide which feature offers more benefit. 

[James Sandoval]

I personally use a ML and i use braid to leader. I tried straight fluro and mono, i just don't get the sensitivity i like. Play around and figure out what works best for you, but my vote notes to the braid to leader on the bass x

[padon]

i fish ned alot. always have at least one tied on. if go with the lightest rod. 10 to 15 pound braid 6 or 8 pound leader. but like others have mentioned its the head weight. 1/16 or 1/10 at the heaviest. and dont just drag it. it works very well when you swim it slowly the let it pendulum down sometimes slightly shaking the rod tip. with the light head and the bouyant elaztech you want the bait to kind of glide and hover.

[desmobob]

I prefer the 1/20 oz. Shroomz heads for open hook and Owner Ultrahead Finesse heads for weedless and like to use light (or even ultralight) spinning gear or BFS baitcasting gear, 8-12lb. braid and a 6lb. fluoro or mono leader.  

 

I have a couple of St. Croix's Trout series and Panfish series spinning rods that I like as an affordable choice.  My BFS rods are mostly JDM stuff from Major Craft, Daiwa, Tsurinoya, and Kuying.

[Oklahoma Mike]

Out of those I would definitely go with the ML rod with the 2000 size reel, but I’d get some much lighter line on that reel. 

[Lead Head]

I very much prefer a floro leader (over mono) for neds because I feel like it sinks more naturally. I prefer braid to leader because I feel like it helps me have a better feel for whats going on with semi-slack line. The biggest reason I settled on this is I get far fewer gut hooked fish. 

Just a personal preference. 

[BoatSquirrel]

12 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

like the sensitivity of braid

Braid to leader is totally the way to go!

[ChrisD46]

*I'm waiting for the Mid West guys like Team9Nine to weigh in with their set ups . This is where I learned about using straight Power Pro #8 lb. or even #5 lb. braid if conditions allow . Otherwise PP #8 lb. Hi - Viz Yellow Braid main line tied to a seven ft.  #6 lb. InvizX FC leader as FC leader line helps to get a light 1/24th oz. ~ 1/16th oz. Ned Rig down in the water column . Also lighter FC  line and lighter jig heads (start with 1/16th oz.) will get you more natural action -> more bites . While straight #6 lb. to #8 lb. Mono or Co-Poly line will work , I just like a straight braid or braid to FC leader better . I use a 7' ML/F spinning rod and a 2500 series spinning reel (more so to balance out the rod better) .

[PotatoLake]

I use a 6’10” mlxf rod with a 2000 reel, 6lb braid to 6lb flouro leader. No jig head over 1/10 and use 1/16 and 1/32 90 percent of the time. I don’t drag unless it’s the middle of winter. I do dead stick it, swim it, hop it, snap/jerk it. Dial in your drag to your liking, takes some adjustment.

[Bankc]

10# hi-viz braid to about 10 feet of 6# fluoro leader.  Several reasons for this.  One, I don't like fluoro on spinning reels.  Braid just casts better, in my opinion.  Two, braid comes in bright colors, making it easier to see your line.  Three, I get hung up a lot, and having such thin fluoro will stretch it out and weaken it.  So it's nice to be able to cut off a large section of line often, without having to respool often, as once fluoro stretches, it doesn't shrink back.  And four, fluoro sinks better and provides, in my opinion, better action on a light Ned rig.  Plus, fluoro is less visible, though that's not usually a concern in the waters I fish.  

 

As for rods, a ML/F rod is all that really matters.  I know sensitivity is important, but with a ML rod, even the cheaper ones tend to be sensitive enough for my needs.  I use a Cabela's Fish Eagle for my Ned rig rod, and have no problems feeling what kind of bottom I'm on.  ML is about as light as I'll go for bass fishing, just as a general rule.  I don't really trust anything lighter.  

[BrianMDTX]

I see many using braid spool up with 10 lb. I’ve been using 20 lb. braid (diameter of 6 lb. mono). Do you use 10 lb. (or less) for a specific reason? More line on spool? Increased sensitivity? 

[Team9nine]

On 11/16/2021 at 8:14 AM, BrianMDTX said:

I have not had much success with a Ned rig, but that’s probably due to limited number of baits, only one size of mushroom jig heads and not spending enough time to give it a true test. I’ve placed an order for some lighter jig heads (1/10 oz) and various Z-Man baits.  Now I need to set up a combo dedicated to fishing the Ned rig. 
 

I have three spinning rods available. A St Croix Bass-X MLXF; a Daiwa Procyon MXF and a Fenwick HMX MF (the Daiwa and Fenwick are 6’ 6” and the St. Croix is 6’ 10”). I have three reels: a Daiwa Revros 2000 and a 2500; and a Shimano Sienna 2500. Currently the Shimano is spooled with 20 lb. Seguar Smackdown with a 6 lb. mono leader and the Revros 2500 is spooled with 20 lb. Sufix 832 and a 6 lb. leader. The 2000 is straight 6 lb. mono. 
 

Which reel would you put on what rod, and what line(s)? I’m fishing ponds which are stained water (about 1’ visibility) and a maximum depth of 7’-8’. I was simply going to stay with the Bass-X and the Revros 2000, but spool it with 10 lb. braid with a 6 lb. mono leader. I like both the Sufix 832 and Seguar Smackdown but am open to options. 
 

All opinions are welcome, except for buying a new rod and reel lol. It won’t please the BM but that’s not an option at this point in time. 

 

A few thoughts - 1/10 oz isn't light; that's a rock, especially in just 7'-8' of water. They have their place, but be sure to also get some 1/15-1/16-1/20 oz heads which will probably cover 90% of your fishing. As for outfits, none listed are ideal, IMO. I'm guessing either the St. Croix ML or the Fenwick might work best of those listed. ML is usually the way to go, but some M will work if they are to the softer side of their rating. X-fast, if you are using braid and small hooks is a delight to fish with, but you will lose more fish than a F or mod-F blank. Otherwise, reel doesn't matter that much, and dropping to 10 lb. braid from your current 20# as you suggest would be good. I'd also bump up to 8# leader instead of 6# if water clarity won't be an issue.

 

4 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*I'm waiting for the Mid West guys like Team9Nine to weigh in with their set ups . 

 

My current set-up, and what I've been using exclusively for the past couple years is a 6'6" ML Shimano Clarus ($80) with 10# or 14# pound YGK SS112 (yellow) and an 8# mono leader. Previously I used 8# Power Pro, and it is great for the money, but the YGK simply fishes/handles a little better. I've tried about 8 or 10 different rods over the years, but haven't found anything that fishes better than the Clarus. The version I'm fishing is Gen 1. They still make the Clarus, but the newer version (Gen 2) is slightly different. I just bought one this week after unsuccessfully trying to find a new/used Gen 1 version rod for the past couple months. You can find them online right now on sale for $52 with free shipping - for that price, there isn't another rod that can touch it for this application if it fishes anything close to similar to the Gen 1 (IMHO). My second all time favorite is a Loomis 2 power popping rod (G3), so that will give you an idea of the action/curve I like for Ned. Keep in mind I'm using the traditional small open hook jig heads (#2-#6 hooks, 1/32-1/10 oz wts.) for all my Ned fishing. You can get by with a little heavier/faster rods for a lot of the non-traditional Ned stuff that is popular now - bigger hooks, heavier heads, bigger baits, EWG weedless stuff, etc. It probably would even be preferential in those instances, but I only dabble a bit in that regard.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

SC would be my choice 4sure.   Rev 2500 for FC or Mono and Rev 2000 or 2500 for braid to leader.  I like 8 or 10lb braid overall, but I could mono helping with keeping the hook pinned.  For the money X9 is great.  I don't think its as thin as they claim it to be, but its still thin casts/handles great and isn't crazy expensive.  

1/32-1/16 heads with a smaller hook will help out with grass and snags tremendously.  A head I really like is Hayabusas Brush Easy (#1 hook) and Baby Shooting Ball both in 1/20.  As long as the bait is neutrally buoyant it will stand up well with those heads.  Don't limit yourself to ned baits either.  4' Bubbling shakers, cut down Airtail Rattlers and Robo worms do really well for me.     

[CrashVector]

I fish with just two lures 90% of the time: a powerbait pit boss or a Ned rig.

 

I've experimented a LOT with Ned rigs and have found these things to be true:

 

1. Clear Berkley Trilene sensation in 8lb is THE best mono for Ned rigs.  XL is too limp.  Flouro is...well...garbage anyhow.  Sensation is muuuch more sensitive AND has high knot strength and shock strength when you hook into a 7-10lb fish.

 

2. Braid: I use Sufix ProMix 10lb braid tied directly to the Ned head.  Bass don't seem to care.  I can sit there and sight fish them in 2' of water like this.  Zero need for a leader.

 

Either braid or mono: you'll catch em with either, but braid is more sensitive.

 

3. Use the Z-Man finesse TRD lures.  Get some procure gel and add 4-5 drops to the bag and let it sit.  The lures soak up the scent and cover any human scent left from handling them.  

 

4. The PB&J color looks like it would work, but I easily catch 5:1 on green pumpkin goby.

 

Rod: I use an Abu Garcia veritas PLX rod, medium/fast, with a Revo S reel.

 

 

13 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I see many using braid spool up with 10 lb. I’ve been using 20 lb. braid (diameter of 6 lb. mono). Do you use 10 lb. (or less) for a specific reason? More line on spool? Increased sensitivity? 

Yes to both.

 

10lb braid on a spinning reel handles better, you get more line on the spool, and is more sensitive.

[Bluebasser86]

IMO, stick with the 20lb braid. I've had much better success with 20lb smackdown than I have with 10lb for some reason. The 10lb wants to wind knot on me much more often but it's not an issue for me with the 20lb and casting distance is still great. 6lb leader is okay, but 8lb lets you get away with a little more if you rub against a rock or limb.

 

Like mentioned, get some lighter heads. 1/16oz is the gold standard for me and what I use almost 100% of the time. Get some quality heads, I'd suggest something other than the Zman heads like Sieberts Morel heads. Heard too many stories of people breaking the hooks on the Zman jigheads. 

 

 

[BrianMDTX]

Well, I’ll say the options other anglers use runs the gamut for sure. 10 lb., 15 lb., 20 lb. braid. 6 lb. or 8 lb. leaders, some straight braid, some straight mono or FC. Makes for an interesting game of what to choose lol. 
 

My jig heads and Z-Man baits arrive today. I plan on fishing the Ned heavy on Saturday. Just have to decide on the line. 
 

Decisions, decisions… 

[Jig Man]

Good luck.  I hope you catch a bunch.  I’m not familiar with your lake.  If it has clear water you will catch more on 6# fluorocarbon whether you go straight or as a leader.

[Bankc]

23 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I see many using braid spool up with 10 lb. I’ve been using 20 lb. braid (diameter of 6 lb. mono). Do you use 10 lb. (or less) for a specific reason? More line on spool? Increased sensitivity? 

Nah.  They're pretty much the same.  There's very little difference in diameter.  I can't say why I chose 10#, other than since I new I was going to be using 6# leaders, 10# was plenty.  I have another, similar rod set up for drop shots and such that uses 20# that I've fished Ned rigs on as well.  I consider the fact that one has hi-viz yellow color and the other moss green color much more important than the difference between the pound test.  

[Team9nine]

3 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

Well, I’ll say the options other anglers use runs the gamut for sure. 10 lb., 15 lb., 20 lb. braid. 6 lb. or 8 lb. leaders, some straight braid, some straight mono or FC. Makes for an interesting game of what to choose lol. 
 

My jig heads and Z-Man baits arrive today. I plan on fishing the Ned heavy on Saturday. Just have to decide on the line. 
 

Decisions, decisions… 

That’s the good and the bad about forums - lol. You’ll get a range of experiences and opinions, but most times you’ll be no closer to a consensus/answer than before you asked the question  ? Like when the topic of knots comes up -  everyone swears by a different knot that they’ve never broken. Everything is perspective. Not a big difference between 20# and 10# braid, especially when compared to mono or fluoro diameters, yet 20# braid is about 50% greater diameter than 10# braid. You’ll just have to start somewhere and then evaluate if it’s working for you.