BUYER'S GUIDE: NED RIG - BAITS, HOOKS, AND RODS FOR NED RIGGING!

[@midwestfischerman]

Tim, you are SPOT ON with chartreuse heads for smallies.🙌🏻 Taking it a step further, Ned Kehde himself likes to use a flame red colored jig head for largemouth. Same principle, just that little flash of bright color for fish to target on for their strikes.👍🏻

[@mookie84]

Only thing I caught with a chartreuse head was a 5lb channel cat. That said I haven’t used them a ton haha.

[@michaellaturno2723]

I love these buyers guides and all the great information. My recommendation for next year is to start them earlier and finish them before Thanksgiving. That way we can go into black Friday with a complete list of what we want in hand for the sales. It would also give me some time to sort through what will fit in my budget. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@TriggeredYet]

Love fishing a Ned Rig. Just a heads up to everyone, but I've used those exact same Plano tackle boxes for holding a bunch of Z-Man or other Ned baits and that box will be warped and destroyed in 2-3 months. As convenient as it is and as solid as those tackle boxes are, I don't recommend carrying them like that unless you don't mind forking up the cash frequently to keep buying those nice tackle boxes.

[@LordBlaze79]

New fisherman here and i really appreciate this channel. you guys give awesome knowledge for newbies like myself and my brother and hopefully soon we will land our first bass with it.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Spent 4 hours flailing a local pond with every jerkbait in my bag, dropped 1 fish. Switched to Ned Rig (TRD), bam, 5 fish in 20 minutes before I had to leave with frozen hands. Never was much of a believer in this rig but I had never thrown it in cold water. Now I get it!

[@timothythompson6549]

My favorite ned combo is my tatula lt 2000 on a falcon lowrider dropshot rod. That said, I've mostly used my bfs combo this year. So much fun! Also surprised at no mention of the PBJ TRD. That and Canada craw are all I really need most of the time. And the TRD is the longest casting ned bait I've used. Important for those of us on the bank.

[@jamesh7469]

Ive really enjoyed taking EWG ned heads and tying a tiny little 10 strand finesse skirt around the base of the shank with some braid. Add a TRD bugz and it’s basically a tiny little jig. Been working great for me in pressured areas. The elaztech baits don’t need much hook shank to rig and don’t tear, so everything fits just fine and holds up well Ive been throwing it on an ML BFS setup with 8lb leader and it’s so fun

[@tacticalbassin]

That sounds really fun!!!

[@80millionvotesmy89]

@@tacticalbassin you guys should do more closer ups on the basis that you are talking about. Please. There videos are just too far away an generic. Thanks still love the videos but by doing some close up clips mixed in while you are talking about it all take you videos over there edge.

[@jholl7339]

I actually rig Ned baits on Strike King Bitsy Bugs, from time to time, just to give a smaller jig presentation.

[@mikegardiner3934]

James, ewg ned using a bugZ is my go to on Lanier in winter and spring. awesome bed bait too. 👍

[@DanGriffin10]

@@mikegardiner3934 what EWG jig head do you like?

[@leehubbell9636]

I love the information in your buyers guides

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanks Tim. I am sure glad you liked that conquest with the Stella reel cause where would you go from there?

[@jimwarden9617]

I’ve caught ‘em on the Savage Gear Salamander and the Roboworm. Huge LMB in Canada on the small TRD. Love it!

[@baso0311]

very rarely now will i ever fish neds with exposed hooks. ned ewg hooks pretty much every time now, its saved me soooo many lures/ned hooks. but its absolutely slayed for me the last few years. smallies love the ned rig. caught my biggest on a ned zmann ticklrZ 5.2lbs

[@chriscomer261]

Thanks Tim for the video. I won't make it till Christmas with all the buyer's guide that you guys keep bringing out. I use some of the baits and hooks but I need the correct rods. I appreciate your opinion because it helps me to see what I should be shopping for but within my price range. Thanks again.

[@tomkraft1769]

Tim, I've noticed a number of different rod recommendations for ned rods in the videos the last couple of years while Matt sticks mostly to the Expride. Why is that? I've been looking for a 7'4" to 7'6" rod since I fish from the bank. What do you like that would be under $350? I currently use a 6 foot, 1/8 - 3/8 ounce Loomis GL3 and Kistler Helium LMH 3/8 - 7/ 8 ounce 7 footer. Thanks for the great vids and advice.

[@Dyetrix1]

Just curious what you guys think of Googan rattlin neds? I like the idea of having a rattle in there to maybe bring more attention to it. But curious what others think I’m new to fishing so definitely a lot to learn.

[@jameskeim8912]

Been throwing before they had a name, for cold water.my favorite is a gambler junebug or black,worm cut as long as ring finger ,spin around thread on Matt Allen 1/8 oz head.only use it in cold, don't know how it works in warmwater.cheap,easy to make and catches fish.use it for pond hoping in winter ice outs.changed heads year ago,but been using rig way before people new ned rig, about 25 years works every time.

[@charlieleeds118]

I love the missile bait neds. such a cool design and great color patterns👍 they work too

[@tacticalbassin]

Thats an amazing little bait!

[@cameronroyster9338]

I’m using the 7’6” light Intenza and love it considering the price. Neds and 2.8” keitechs is all it has thrown and it does them both so well

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome!

[@chris_2413]

I’ve really been liking the TRD bugs for my BFS free rig.

[@thadgeorge4984]

Another great video Tim, good job. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@richardbossman9875]

Good to see that the Edge boxes are Elastec safe, I have been wanting to create a Ned specific box.

[@chrisgrantfishing1409]

I don't think he said that, those were all roboworm in his edge. Did I miss it

[@dylandixon4058]

I dont think any box is elaztec safe. Not saying its not bc im not 100% sure

[@midwestfischerman]

Elaztech needs to stay in their bags. That's why those baby blue Z-Man bags are what Tim is picking up and are also on the boat deck.

[@jholl7339]

@@midwestfischerman Very True. If you are creative with your box partitions, you can rig a Ned box, with a large spot just for bait bags, such as the Z-mans.

[@richardbossman9875]

Good catch guys, y’all saved me $40+. First box company to make one will probably bank.

[@corydupuy4348]

Have you had the chance to try out those Nikko Hellgramites? The smallmouth around us love them.

[@brandonwalmsley1863]

Love Swagger Tungsten! Their Vader series of drop shot weights were a game changer for me. Their worm weights are awesome too. I need to get some of those Flanders heads though.

[@OnOFFishing]

Thank you for the tips! This year I started fishing with ned rig thanks to you, and i sure that these new tips will help me to improve it.

[@tacticalbassin]

Great to hear!

[@richshackelford5793]

Thanks for sharing Tim

[@shaunmoore1230]

Great info as always. Can you chime in on why you recommend longer rods for Neds over say a drop shot? Just starting to dabble in finesse and am curious as a lot of techniques seem to be similar in lure weight but you recommend different set ups.

[@tacticalbassin]

I often fish a dropshot vertically or close to it. The ned Im usually making long casts

[@piscatorial5666]

Learned a lot…thank you!

[@Berto-1117]

Not sure if you guys have tried it but if you havent you NEED to give the yum ned craw a chance. I have been destroying the bass on tough days with them. My #1 confidence bait

[@troysappington791]

Thanks Tim, can you comment when you would use braid to fluro leaders vs straight fluro?

[@jholl7339]

All great info, Matt. So many of the Ned hooks come with the mushroom-style heads. Do you find there's any actual advantage of those, where the bait butts up against the head, versus my personal favorite, the Owner Ultra Heads, which actually have a ball head to them?

[@chrisbenson8882]

Great video.. new to bass fishing, always been into trout fishing! Can you post a video showing a “go to” tackle box. Curios to see to how you would equip! Example: you were going to go fishing with a Buddy and had to bring 2 rods and one tackle box?

[@biblebeltfishing]

Love all the videos. And all the tips you put into your videos. I use them in my Videos all the time fishing OLD HICKORY LAKE Here in Tennessee

[@mikefromoh2925]

Realistic Fishing! all his vids are on that lake!

[@biblebeltfishing]

@@mikefromoh2925 who. Mine?. 95% are on the same lake. Except for 2 tournaments

[@katiedolfman6496]

The salamander looks fantastic. I'm going to have to try those!

[@tacticalbassin]

They're awesome! Such a fish catching bait -Matt

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

👏👏Incredible job Tim 👏👏

[@seizedcarcass8440]

The TRD Bugz AND finesse TRD are staple baits for me. Most any color works well but I haven’t tried enough different colors to determine my favorites

[@akilidebrady3785]

Caught on neds when they wouldn't bite anything else. Thanks again for more great info as always!

[@shadygraves]

The Ned Rig has saved my 20 year streak of never being skunked on several occasions. Lately, I've cut it down to about 2" with tremendous success.

[@HanSoloxcs]

2 inch!

[@nickkoski7111]

Question for ya guys. Amateur at best bass fisherman here. Grew up up north fishing walleye so still learning. When you say “rotate your 6 baits to see what they want that day”, do you literally make 4-5 casts with one, get no bites, and then just grab a different bait and throw in the same spot back to back to back until you catch one? Or do you move locations and try a different one? If that even makes sense. Thanks and love your videos!

[@RoamingWhispers]

You gotta check out mule fishing!!

[@Tylerbone96]

Question for Tim and Matt, where do y’all send your reels off to for service? I have an old green curado I need new bearings in

[@dustinm5667]

Great video, Tim. Why do you run straight fluoro on your setups instead of braid to leader? Thanks!

[@dropment5408]

Thoughts on using a weedless ned?

[@depalebe]

Have you tried the Savage Gear Ned heads. They do not tear up elastic type baits. With regular plastic baits I tend to repair them with Mend It and a syringe. But this doesn't work with the elastic plastic baits.

[@WWB23]

Thank you for the video.

[@MrEbmanii]

Zmans for life, i've caught such big smallmouth on these, large ones still hit it too!

[@michaellaird2581]

Thanks for the insights. Great content. Appreciate it!

[@tacticalbassin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@richardingram6055]

Do you change weights from a trd to a robo worm & whats your favorite weight jig head on the trd?

[@joerogers9666]

How do you feel about the G Loomis NRX 821 compared to the IMX pro

[@cristameckler]

Have you tinkered with the Orochi Enforcer ? I've been looking at the 882 NNR for a while and can't find any comparison...

[@Jacobofkentucky]

What’s your opinion on ewg Texas rig ned heads ? I really like the idea of them and how they look. But I’m concerned about hookup ratio.

[@edpelkey7798]

Thanks, Tim great info 👍

[@farrzmd3038]

Any recommendations for ewg Ned heads ? My ponds / lakes are leafy , heavy vegetation bottoms.

[@Mr.Higgs.]

Would it be possible to do a underwater review of the top 10 or 15 ned baits? Hopping, dead sticking, dragging. I know those types of videos takes alot but they are also super informational.

[@ryanprellwitz8565]

They have an underwater video of Ned baits.

[@tacticalbassin]

This video already exists 👍🏼

[@Mr.Higgs.]

@@tacticalbassin Perfect!! Thank you I'll go look for it.

[@andrewwolf4963]

Yessss finally a way I’m able to catch fish! The fir dummies rig ! Lol

[@marinusreister474]

Something that isn’t as common in ned rigging that I do a lot is use the zman ewg Ned head, a blue craw trd, and I flip it around light cover sometimes heavier cover too. I end up fishing it pretty similarly to a jig with a couple hops, sit then retrieve.

[@jholl7339]

Same here, although I use the Owner Ultra Heads. I may be missing the occasional ultra-light bite, but I don't get side tracked, trying to unsnag baits, since my Ned Rig is Texas Rigged.

[@johnbowe4564]

For my ned heads I like a hook that flexes and can bend out if I get stuck on a brush pile like a zman 15th ounce to 8th ounce heads in black

[@0verfil]

Does the elaztech melt in the Plano edge boxes?

[@jasonbruno3483]

Good morning gentlemen. Great video as always. Would you have any solutions for the Zman baits after they got a little deformed by the sun or just the heat of the day? Thanks for all your hard work! Jason (Montreal, 🇨🇦)

[@hooknheritage6305]

Thanks Tim for dropping the knowledge on us. I Know you live by the spinning gear for certain techniques and applications I was just curious if BFS can work in place of the aforementioned coming from someone who is more comfortable and confident in bait casting reels. Tight lines and like minds! 😎👊🎣

[@tacticalbassin]

It sure can 👍🏼 More on that subject very soon...

[@baso0311]

sukoshi bug is probably my favorite

[@g.nicely392]

What's your thoughts on the EWG style ned heads? Good or stay away??

[@predwards8941]

Ned rigs flat out get bit 365. I got that B.Latt sick stick spinning rod and that thing handles Ned rig fish like a champion.

[@zoommaster7253]

Which edge box model is that 3700? Looking for new system to store. Do you like edge ?

[@scottvermonter920]

Great info! Thank you.

[@tacticalbassin]

You're welcome, thanks Scott!

[@Slayinator96]

So, most people seem to pick rods around 6'10 -7', what makes the 7'6 better?

[@fredfunk5150]

Great video, I just started fishing ned rigs and it’s a blast. I just purchased a nrx 752 old model. Is it to stiff for ned rigs? It was the only nrx in the store and was able to get it for 20 percent off. Also, do you guys have a video on fishing dark sleepers? I just started fishing them and there ok but definitely have better luck with ned rigs.

[@tacticalbassin]

It's not the perfect ned rig rod (that model is really good at a ton of things but not perfect for every single one) but it will certainly do it. If you start losing fish just keep in your mind that changing that rod is an option 👍🏼

[@fredfunk5150]

@@tacticalbassin thanks.

[@odb233]

What about recommendations for shorter rods? I am pretty much a bank fisherman and fish a lot of creeks I hike to with a bunch of tree cover around the banks. It’s tough trying to cast with a longer rod.

[@tacticalbassin]

What's your budget? We'd be happy to help.

[@odb233]

@@tacticalbassin got any recs under 200 or 150 bucks

[@garywaynebates]

Great Content...

[@noahdboss1195]

do one on winter gear!

[@kylemayer8486]

I need a new cast and drag dropshot rod and was looking at the 882. Is there a better option in the mid g loomis lineup? Usually throwing a zoom finesse on a covershot with a 1/4 oz weight.

[@williamwhitaker2928]

I have the 822 DSR which I use for drop shotting, shaky heads Ned rigs and even lighter jerk baits. It is an excellent rod for all such applications with more backbone than lighter iterations of Exprides which comes in handy when dealing with fish in cover or grass. It is also American made. I liken it to an American version of the Megabass whipsnake.

[@tacticalbassin]

That's a great rod you'll be really happy with 👍🏼

[@kylemayer8486]

@@williamwhitaker2928 i use ark reinforcer 6'10's for vertical drop shotting, but like a longer rod for dragging texas rigged drop shots. Ark makes a 7'3", but it oddly makes the reel stem hurt my ring finger when fighting fish, so I need a new option.

[@patrickn2360]

What do you think about the TT Nedlockz EWG?

[@brianrobinson9979]

The chartreuse head is like when Matt adds a chunk of chartreuse senko on his jig before the trailer

[@burm10001]

I know these are go to baits when "fishing is slow/tough". Do they get bit when fish are active on swim baits, speed worms, etc? I don't want to fish them all the time but just curous how they do when the fish are active.

[@dustinbelshe9792]

Tim is there a rod by shimano or g loomis that can be used for neds and drop shots both?

[@fishinfrenzy2544]

7ml Zodias or curado

[@dennisnieradka6668]

Hello Just a dum question, would you put scents on a ned rig? I live in Florida, near the St John's river . It's brackish water.

[@tacticalbassin]

We personally don't use a lot of scent but if you use it regularly, by all means put it on the ned too.

[@brianrobinson9979]

If I remember correctly, you guys liked the Missle Baits Destroyer. Well earlier this year I learned the power of the Baby Destroyer on a Ned Rig. Especially in those tough times when you do need to drag a Ned, the long thin arms of the Destroyer design work great paired to a Ned Head. If you and Matt haven't tried it yet, give it a go. I'd love to know what you guys think of it 😁👍

[@tacticalbassin]

Very cool!

[@hunterbull7804]

I can’t say I’ve ever brought myself to throw a ned rig. Wacky senko just gets bit when anything else won’t for me. But that Conquest/Stella pairing is so bougie. I’d love to see y’all compare it to the Steez 7’6” MML “the one”

[@mikefromoh2925]

Try half a senko on a jig head for a simple Ned setup. I love the wacky rig it gets me for sure but the Ned IMO can be fished a little faster and for this reason I use it in open water between pieces of cover.

[@DanGriffin10]

Do you ever use an EWG ned rig head so you can rig your bait weedless? If so, which one do you like/recommend?

[@jholl7339]

I'm a fan of the Owner Ultra Heads. Anything Owner is aces in my book.

[@bigfah2506]

Good stuff!

[@shadygraves]

Why such a big Vanford? I went with the 2000 for the light weight to put on my Megabass Destroyer Windbuster 7'2" spinning rod. Super lightweight rig!

[@fishinfrenzy2544]

2500 is the same size and weight as 2000 the 2500 is meant for braid to leader the 2000 for straight floro

[@CrazyCranker]

It's a shame Shimano and G Loomis no longer ship to us overseas guys anymore. :(

[@twiggsherman3641]

Tiny child rig all day. I don't get neds hung up a lot, but when I do, it annoys me. A 4 inch senko texas rigged on a 1/0 VMC neko hook, with a tiny nail weight on the butt end. Weedless, doesn't get hung up nearly as often, and leaving the nail weight exposed gives ya the clink.

[@shadygraves]

Cut that worm down to 2" for more bites on tough days!

[@fishingwithchuck9846]

what oz are they

[@riccardocarbo2479]

Tim, your beard is looking good. The color? Mudbug core with silver shad accents on the chin. Don't swim in any lake! You might have to take one on the chin.

[@oregonsmalljaw3732]

Lifted Jigs EWG is a killer Ned head .

[@taylormoore4991]

Great tips! God is good! God bless!

[@jimcorbett4115]

Have you guys found a decent weedless Ned head yet? I pond hop and most of the year Ned's are out because of all the grass. I've tried a few offset heads but the quality sucked on them

[@tacticalbassin]

Weve been Texas rigging them with Owner J-light size 1 hooks and a 1/16th swagger tungsten bullet weight. 👍🏼

[@vinmal2858]

I'm by no means a fan of Googan but their rattlin Ned has worked great for me in dirty water when other Ned baits wouldn't. Wish another company came out with a built in rattle.

[@odb233]

They are pretty good but don’t last more than 1 or 2 fish.

[@vinmal2858]

@@odb233 way too true lol. I now have a bottle of superglue in my bag. A rattle in a TRD or tickler would be excellent.

[@jimwarden9617]

You guys are killin’ me…I’ve sent 3different orders to TW. Stop!

[@basschaser9356]

Zman trd craw !!

[@hookreelfishing]

Awesome video ++

[@MrShawnmg]

Yes!!!

[@kylemattix5561]

Nice!

[@terryclowers4433]

Why straight florocarbon and not braid to leader

[@josafatgranados4617]

Nice

[@mikefromoh2925]

I know y’all need to sell some gear here make some money but DANG 220 and $30 line for a combo to throw Ned heads? Ned Keldhe himself uses a 6’6 Shakespeare rod cheap as can go!

[@hameggs2659]

Zman trd crawz tear it up in northern MN

[@jameskeim8912]

Changed to Matt Allen head year ago.

[@gearsnutz]

Do not use your flex box to store Elaztech baits like they show here. I thought this was a great idea.....but they will warp your box.

[@gamingdreams2142]

Personally I don’t see a lot of difference in tungsten and lead weights.

[@tacticalbassin]

If you're not personally benefiting from Tungsten you should definitely save the $$ and fish lead.

[@gamingdreams2142]

@@tacticalbassin love the videos! My favorite fishing channel by far. Keep up the good work!

[@andrewwolf4963]

Am I the only one who can’t stand Zman ElazTech , I use it a lot but I hate getting those swimbaits on jig heads it’s so annoying