Daughter got me some Ned Rig baits. Any advice?

[OmegaDPW]

My daughter picked me up some Ned Rig style baits. She knew I fished stick baits and saw these on Temu or Ali Express and didn't pay attention to the sizes. They're 2.5 inches I guess. Finesse fishing is nothing new to me- most of my rods are lined with 6-8lb test, but I've never fished a Ned Rig. My pond wrecks havoc on an open jighead. Way too many stumps and logs and weeds, etc. So, I'm thinking of trying these baits on a split shot rig or conventional TX rig (bead and weight). If they cast far enough, I may do weightless. I've got some #4 EWG but they may be too small to leave enough room for the hook-up. I also have some 2/0 EWG but nothing really feasible in-between those two sizes. I'd have to check when I get home. No smallmouth around here, so if they work, they'll be for LMB. 

 

 Any tips on how to fish these baits with the way I described above?  

[Scott F]

Did you just get the plastics and no jig heads? 

[gim]

The brand also makes a big difference.  If they are Zman elaztech, they will be buoyant and you'll need a way to make them sink.

[Jig Man]

You can get weedless Ned heads from a site sponsor, Seibert Outdoors.  I would get the 1/16 oz for sure.

[Brian11719]

I like a 1/8 oz 2/0 vmc rugby for this type of thing. I typically use 4" yum dingers but just picked up a pack of reins craws and a couple of 6th sense crubes and will see how those do. 

[GaryH]

I’m with @Jig Man 1/16 weedless with that size ned bait.

[Reel]

Look up the Tiny Child Rig on the net and you will have the perfect rig for your pond.  You can use a small nail ( or screw) for weight.

[OmegaDPW]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

Did you just get the plastics and no jig heads? 

 

 Correct. 5 different colors 10 each. 

 

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

The brand also makes a big difference.  If they are Zman elaztech, they will be buoyant and you'll need a way to make them sink.

 

 No way to tell the brand. Temu style soft plastics. I'll throw one in a cup of water when I get home though. I'd almost bet it doesn't float by the feel of it.  

 

 Thanks for the tips so far- 

5 minutes ago, Reel said:

Look up the Tiny Child Rig on the net and you will have the perfect rig for your pond.  You can use a small nail ( or screw) for weight.

 

 That looks perfect. Wonder how it works with a non floating bait? Thanks a bunch. I have never heard of this rig. 

[Choporoz]

I am always surprised that open hook ned rigs just don't grab every little piece of wood within casting distance.  I guess the light weights help.  Won't keep you from setting the hook on stumps sometimes,  but they can be fished around wood better than I expected 

[Scott F]

Buoyant plastics and very light jig heads are two of the properties that make Ned rigs effective. Floating plastics slow down the fall and when used with mushroom head jigs, cause the baits to stand up when they hit the bottom. 

[Jig Man]

Watch this.

 

[BassinCNY]

You could also drop shot them. Either nose hooked or thread them on a 1/0 straight shank or offset worm hook.

[casts_by_fly]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Bass_Union_Weedless_Ned_Heads_3pk/descpage-BUNWNH.html
 

just do it.