Neds Work When Nothing Else Does

[Gerry Zagorski]

A few years back I was struggling fishing the S Branch for Smallmouth.. Many people told me they were there and even told me their usual spots but I never caught one so I posted here about my struggle. I think it was Fast Eddie or Mikey Topaz who suggested I try a Ned Rig "A Ned Rig, what the heck is that? For those of you who don't know read on...

Quick history on the Ned Rig. It was invented by Ned Kehde, a fishing guide in the Mid West that was looking for a different ways to catch more bass... The Ned is a small mushroom shaped jig head with a short stubby soft plastic. As you'll see below, it doesn't look like much since it has no tail curly tail and really no action. It might not have the looks to catch fishermen but it catches fish!!

Back to my struggle and off I went to the tackle store to get me some Neds. Although I still wasn't convinced, I was hopeful and gave it a shot.. Took a bit to get the technique down but it wasn't long before I had my first Smallmouth on the same stretch of the S Branch I thought was dead.

The technique in a fast running streams that seemed to work best was casting it upstream of a deeper hole behind rapids. Make sure there is some slack in the line and let the current move your line and bounce the Ned along the bottom downstream into the hole bringing it tight once and while to trigger strikes and to detect bites. When in slow running water or lakes, cast it out and let it sink and work it slowly along the bottom. Some like to hop it but seems like the most effective way for me has been a slow steady reel so it skirts along the bottom.

Took a float trip recently with Mikey on the Delaware river with and it was lights out on the Ned Rig... I lost count at 60 Smallies and my buddy Jake who never fished one is now a believer.

Next time you're out and nothing seems to be working, try a Ned and I'll bet you'll never leave home without one.