Complete Ned Rig Guide for Effective Fishing

Introduction

The Ned rig has earned a reputation as a reliable finesse tool when bass ignore other lures. Its small profile and subtle movement make fish commit easily, especially in clear water or under pressure. Anglers favor it because it’s simple to rig, easy to control, and effective. Curious why this little setup works so well and how to build a proper ned rig fishing system? This guide breaks it down step by step.

What Is a Ned Rig?

A Ned Rig is a finesse fishing setup that combines a small soft plastic bait with a lightweight jig head, typically mushroom-shaped. Popularized by Midwest angler Ned Kehde, it is designed to present a subtle, natural profile that attracts bass without spooking them.

The bait usually sits upright or slightly angled on the bottom, imitating small prey like crawfish or tiny fish. This minimalistic presentation makes the Ned Rig highly effective in clear water, cold conditions, or areas where fish are cautious or heavily pressured.

Ned Rig Setup

A proper Ned Rig setup ensures the bait stands naturally on the bottom, combining a small soft plastic with the right jig head, hook, and rod-line combination.

Soft Plastic Baits

For the bait, most Ned anglers choose compact, slim soft baits such as short stick worms, mini craws, small creature baits, tubes, or bait‑fish imitations. Many “classic” Ned baits are about 2–3 inches long, though some anglers use slightly longer plastics depending on conditions.

The key is profile and flexibility — a thin or streamlined bait tends to fall more naturally and stand up correctly on the bottom. Colors should generally match the water clarity and forage: natural hues (green pumpkin, black/blue, translucent tones) work well in clear water, while slightly darker or murkier colors may be more effective in stained water.

Ned Rig Jig Heads

The jig head is the most important part of a Ned Rig, controlling how the bait lands, stands, and moves on the bottom.

• Mushroom-Style Jig Heads: The classic Ned Rig uses a mushroom-style jig head with a flat or slightly rounded top. This design allows the bait to stand upright or slightly tilted on the bottom, mimicking small prey and creating a subtle silhouette that bass find irresistible. Mushroom heads are generally lightweight, from 1/16 to 1/4 ounce, which allows the bait to fall slowly, land softly, and maintain natural action. They are ideal for open bottoms, gravel, rocks, and shallow flats where bass can inspect the bait clearly.
• Extra-Wide Gap (EWG) Jig Heads: When using slightly larger plastics or fishing in deeper water, extra-wide gap (EWG) jig heads are preferred. They provide better hook penetration and improve hookup reliability while maintaining the finesse action of the rig. EWG heads are particularly useful for anglers targeting bigger bass or fishing in areas with heavier structure.
• Guarded or Weedless Jig Heads: For fishing near vegetation, brush, docks, or submerged timber, weedless or guarded jig heads are ideal. A small wire guard over the hook reduces snags while still allowing secure hook-ups. These heads make it easier to fish tight cover without sacrificing the subtle action that defines Ned Rig fishing.

Rod, Reel and Line

A medium-light spinning rod around 6.5–7 feet paired with a spinning reel works well. For line, a combination of braided main line and 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader is effective. This setup provides sensitivity for detecting subtle bites while maintaining control over the light presentation.

How to Rig and Fish a Ned Rig

Fishing a Ned Rig comes down to a simple setup and an even simpler presentation. Here’s how to rig it correctly and fish it the way it’s meant to work.

How to Rig It

• Insert the Hook: Push the hook tip into the head of your soft plastic, threading it through the center. Make sure the hook stays aligned with the bait’s body to maintain a natural profile.
• Exit at the Midsection: Guide the hook so it comes out near the middle or slightly toward the back of the bait. Keep a slight bend or natural angle in the bait so it will sit properly on the bottom.
• Slide the Bait onto the Jig Head: Push the bait down until it rests snugly against the jig head. Ensure it is secure and won’t twist or slide during casting or when falling through the water column.
• Check Presentation: Verify the bait stands upright or slightly tilted, and that the hook tip is exposed for reliable hook-ups. Once everything looks correct, the Ned Rig is ready to cast, offering a subtle, natural presentation that attracts bass.

How to Fish It

Fishing a Ned Rig is less about moving the bait aggressively and more about subtle presentation. Most bites happen because the bait simply exists in the right place looking like something easy to eat. Here are a few techniques that consistently show up across experienced anglers:

1. Swim & Glide: Cast out, let the bait reach bottom, then begin a slow, steady retrieve. The jig head will glide just above the bottom with a soft, natural motion. This works well when bass are roaming or when you’re covering open water.

2. Hop & Bounce: After the bait settles, lift your rod tip slightly to make the rig hop off the bottom, then let it fall back on slack line. The small upward pop followed by a natural drop imitates bottom prey and works especially well around rock or gravel.

3. Drag & Deadstick: Let the bait sit on the bottom, then drag it a few inches at a time. Pause and leave it motionless. This slow, minimal approach is highly effective in cold water or when bass are pressured and unwilling to chase.

4. Drag & Shake: Drag the bait along the bottom while adding light shakes with the rod tip. The subtle vibration keeps the bait looking lively without breaking the finesse presentation. It performs well in slightly stained water or along mixed bottom transitions.

5. Straight Swim: Retrieve steadily without hopping or dragging, keeping the bait just above the bottom. This simple swim helps when bass are suspended slightly off the bottom or when bottom contact is risky due to heavy cover.

6. Stroll: Let wind or slow boat movement pull the bait along the bottom while maintaining light line tension. Strolling efficiently covers large flats and works when fish are scattered or not holding tight to specific structure.

No matter which technique you use, the key is to resist overworking the bait. Small movements, long pauses, and steady bottom contact consistently outperform aggressive retrieves. Bass often hit subtly, so pay attention to anything that feels “off,” even slight pressure or unexpected slack.

When & Where to Use a Ned Rig

A Ned rig works best when bass are selective and not willing to chase. Its subtle profile makes it an easy target in tough conditions.

When to Use It

• Cold-front or post-frontal conditions: When fish shut down and won’t chase.
• Clear water: Where natural finesse has the most impact.
• High-pressure lakes: Especially those with heavy fishing pressure.
• During transition seasons: Early spring, late fall, and winter are prime times.

Where It Excels

• Rock flats and gravel bottoms, where dragging works well
• Points and drop-offs, with slow lift-and-glide presentations
• Shallow banks, especially early-season
• Sparse grass or weed edges, where a weedless hook becomes useful

Overall, the Ned rig performs best when you keep it near the bottom and rely on small, simple movements to trigger bites.

Optional Ned Rig Adjustments

• Different Soft Plastics: Try varying shapes or colors to match forage.
• Weight Adjustments: Slightly heavier or lighter jig heads can change sinking speed or subtle movement.
• Hook Types: Weedless hooks or extra-wide gap hooks improve performance around cover.
• Presentation Variations: Combining lift-and-drop with a slow drag or pause technique can entice reluctant fish.

These options allow you to tailor your setup to different water clarity, depth, and bass behavior without changing the core simplicity of the rig.

Conclusion

The Ned rig may look small and subtle, but that’s exactly why it works so well. With the right jig head, a compact plastic, and a patient retrieve, this finesse approach produces fish in pressured water, cold fronts, and those long stretches when bass just won’t commit to bigger lures. Add it to your lineup, experiment with different retrieves, and you’ll quickly understand why Ned rig fishing has become a staple for anglers who want steady, dependable results year-round.