Suspended walleyes can't resist this trick!

Ned Rigs aren't just for shallow-water walleyes...and it's crazy how well this trick works when they're suspended 👀 even 10-15' off bottom! This video was filmed less than 48 hrs ago, and for whatever reason these fish would NOT eat anything else. 😳
Drop a comment below and let me know what you think. 👊 Thx SO much for watching!
- Brett McComas
GEAR USED:
‣ 3/16-oz VMC Ned Rig Jig:
alnk.to/e76RHcz
‣ 8- or 10-lb Sufix 832 Advanced Superline:
alnk.to/7M9AnRn
‣ 8-lb Sufix Advance Fluoro (leader):
www.rapala.com/us_en/advance-...
‣ Elliott Rods ESP73ML-F:
twobrothersinnovations.com/pr...
‣ Elliott Rods ESP71M-XF:
twobrothersinnovations.com/pr...
‣ Z-Man Big TRD:
fishusa.rv5k.net/P0bb6N
‣ Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil General:
fishusa.rv5k.net/MmQb6Y
‣ Amped Outdoors lithium batteries:
ampedoutdoors.com/
I recently upgraded my boat batteries to lithium! Will try to do a walk-thru video soon....
I went with Amped Outdoors' 36V 100Ah trolling motor lithium battery system (which is two 36V 50Ah LiFePO4 batteries in parallel). I was able to shave off roughly 140 pounds 😳 by running those 2 lithiums vs 3 lead batteries, and of course get some amazing run times:
ampedoutdoors.com/products/36...
Which also freed up an extra battery slot in my boat, so I was able to plug in this 100Ah beast (only weighs 24 lbs 8 oz) to exclusively run all of my electronics - fer dayzzzz 🔋 - instead of running them off of my cranking battery:
ampedoutdoors.com/products/co...
Note: The FishUSA links above are affiliate links, meaning if you go through them to make a purchase we might earn a commission...at no cost to you. Thx much for supporting the channel!
We post TONS of fishing tips, videos and gear hacks (twice each week!) at Target Walleye. Get it FREE here:
targetwalleye.com/

[@TargetWalleye]

I realize "forward-facing sonar" isn't for everyone. But you don't need to have it (or even want it) to learn something about fish behavior in video's featuring it and then apply it to your fishing.... I've used this same technique in the same areas and caught fish for years before ever having FFS, but I had no idea until using LiveScope that so many of the walleyes I was catching were actually suspended and chasing the bait down...just assumed it was the fish near bottom (I was graphing with 2D) that were eating the bait. I usually always include snippets in these videos on how I find fish using 2D/DI sonar and Side Imaging (which has been out since 2005…18 years now!) - really that’s how we first find spots holding fish, then snoop around for a real-time look with FFS…after we’ve already used the other technology to land on the spot! This video was different. This was a behavioral trait I’ve noticed the last few seasons that I just think is so dang fascinating it deserved a video of its own. If you have any specific video ideas or things you’d like to see this summer, drop me a comment below. I really do read all of them. 👊 Thanks so much for taking time out of your day to watch!

[@garygriffeth4852]

Get em on the bottom and if they are up alittle.

[@Tom-fu4cv]

Interesting that they're chasing it down. I wonder how often this is happening with Jigin Raps too, since most of mine are pinned to the bottom and hooked under the chin.

[@NickLindner]

*They have a saying in B-town: "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's walleyes eatin' Neds".*

[@TargetWalleye]

😅

[@kathyg4906]

I watched 3 of your Ned rig videos a couple of days ago and gave it a try. I caught my PB Minnesota walleye first day using the Ned. I’ve been fishing this lake for more than 50 years. Thank you for the info and tips!

[@TargetWalleye]

Can't tell you how pumped this comment makes me! Love it and BIG congrats!!!

[@5199John]

Good video, Brett! Again, as always, really like you showing and listing the equipment! I find that very helpful! Thanks!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank YOU, John! Hope your season is off to a great start.

[@JD-ft2lr]

He's back! In black! Great video. Thanks

[@jeffwiebenga393]

No preconcieved notions. Fish the fish !! Quoting Al Lindner

[@remmers26]

Awesome technique going to try it tomorrow morning

[@rogerschrotenboer2166]

Always a pleasure man thanks for the schooling

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@Deepdriller328]

Great show Brett!!!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you!

[@WanderingYooper]

Awesome video my friend, very informative and interesting. I can't believe I don't have any 🤦‍♂️ Thanks for the info and the link, definitely will be getting a few 👍🤙

[@TargetWalleye]

For sure! Thank you for watching!!

[@Hawg_Hunterz]

Yeah buddy!! Love this video!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thanks Dustin! You've been crushing it this season, per usual 👊

[@gunnrunnerfishing]

Great video! I'm going to try vertically jigging my ned rigs this weekend!

[@TargetWalleye]

Really can't go wrong with deadly Nedly 😏 haha thx man!

[@ScheelsOutdoors]

Pretty fascinating concept, great idea and great video!

[@TargetWalleye]

Thank you! Always learning, and just hope others can use the info to help be more successful on their home waters. 👊

[@christopherjulvezan7567]

8:03 This was very enlighting and something I will add to the aresenal.

[@bobmorton4633]

I always use Ned rigs now since watching you using them last year. I keep a good supply of them in my box. Some times I just tip it with half a worm. I usually use the berkley power bait max scent little general on it.

[@TargetWalleye]

Awesome! I love that Lil' General. And when times get tough, throwing a half of a crawler on the back of a Ned Jig can save the day! Thanks for watching Bob, and hope you're having a great season so far.

[@Idratherbfishin]

Lake Trout will do the same thing with different jigs tipped with bait. I’ll be trying the Ned’s this summer!

[@TargetWalleye]

So cool!

[@nchec326]

Good ole deadly nedly 😉

[@TargetWalleye]

Yessir!

[@jefffirm6577]

I've been using zman trd minnowz in meat dog color. On a 1/8 oz weedless ned head it's deadly. I wanna play with a heavier weight and see how it goes. Very sneaky bait very versatile!

[@jesustorrez4520]

I've been pounding them on ned with a blue and white with purple back worm. Great job. Lake Huron is the spot.

[@TargetWalleye]

Nice!!!

[@royfletcher8548]

You’re alive!

[@TargetWalleye]

I'm baaaaaack 😂

[@codyprice1987]

On lake Athapap I was catching whitefish in 70ft of water with a Ned rig. Such a versatile bait.

[@TargetWalleye]

That's wild!

[@chrisgaudino7350]

Awesome video, Brett! No more MEGA LIVE? Back to the livescope?

[@MunaroDkeen]

Ned is also a crazy good Lake trout bait... even in 80FOW it will outfish traditonal laker bait. Ned works for everything lol

[@TargetWalleye]

That's so cool! And no doubt!!

[@user-wz7rq3hy6n]

what are your live scope settings for that clear of image? for the life of me i cannot dial mine in like that

[@benboyum3669]

Just think of how we wouldn’t have had the observations of fish behaviors he described before live scope.

[@TargetWalleye]

Exactly! Stuff we have wondered about for years, and now LiveScope tells us the truth of what's actually going on down there...how fish are behaving, reacting, not reacting, etc. Whether or not you have/like/want/hate/despise "forward-facing-sonar" you can still learn a lot on the behavioral side of things and apply it to your style of fishing on lakes in your backyard. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@garygriffeth4852]

How about a combo Ned drop shot ??? New bass rig I think it would be super up and down

[@89shmike]

I was on Gull this weekend and kicking myself in the ass for not using Neds. Once I was off the water I was like "damn it, McComas always preaches the down bite in the spring"

[@dylanbue2913]

Hyperglides under a bobber crush on gull lol hope uve been good man I had to comment when I seen the name

[@89shmike]

@@dylanbue2913 oooh shit man! Been good man, hope all is well with you too. Im way down the rabbit hole of walleye fishing lol. If you see a red alumacraft tiller out on Gull it’s probably me lol

[@dylanbue2913]

Lol oh yea and sounds good if I see u around ill get in touch forsure

[@TargetWalleye]

😂😂😂 Love it. Some day it's the deal! Then like flipping a light switch they want it up one day. But when it's on, it's on!

[@Moondog9322]

In memory of Tina Turner....simply the best! Oh, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who gets my finger stuck in super glue! lol Loctite gel for the win!

[@TargetWalleye]

Lol I was literally just jamming to that song last night 😅 thx man!

[@markpowell6240]

Great video! What colors were you using ?

[@TargetWalleye]

I use "Green Pumpkin Goby" about 97% of the time for the Big TRD. And my favorite Lil' General color is "Gobyashi."

[@waynecole1918]

What’s in that little squeeze bottle that you add a drop of onto the jig right where the plastic butts up to the jig head?

[@TargetWalleye]

A dot of super glue, keeps the plastic from sliding down and can fish with the same bait all day long.

[@hcso2445]

Really curious about those gopro mounts!!! What brand are they??

[@TargetWalleye]

It’s called a “SmallRig Clamp.” I typically use the one with the 9.8" arm. They are incredible! Fold up very compact, fully adjustable, and lock into place. Don’t know how you could make them better, especially for about $27 or so. www.amazon.com/SmallRig-Adjustable-Friction-Articulating-Monitor/dp/B087T4T8D5/ref=sr_1_6?th=1

[@scottrouwhorst881]

Nice

[@TargetWalleye]

👊

[@rgwaldron719]

When you say 8 to 10 pound braid do you mean 8-10 diameter braid or actual 8-10 pound strength braid?

[@TargetWalleye]

It's 8- or 10-lb strength (tho I'd argue it's way stronger than that) which has roughly a 4-lb diameter.

[@SolidMango-gh3jk]

What colors Ned’s TRDs do you use primarily?

[@TargetWalleye]

The "Green Pumpkin Goby" is by far my favorite al-around color.

[@mrminnihan]

What are you using for your FFS pole?

[@TargetWalleye]

It’s the FIN GEAR Live Scan Pole Mount. bit.ly/FIN-GEAR-pole-mount Not cheap but it has worked GREAT and is super beefy! I had broken numerous other poles that had lots of plastic parts, so finally ponied-up for one that could withstand my abuse. I have it mounted on a Cisco Sport Trac Lund Mount (42°) so I can move it anywhere around the boat

[@whales302]

I don't get it, why not just a jig head and a plastic like a twister tail or minnow pattern plastic? Are they really only going after that style of plastic and ned jig head? It would be cool to see a comparison between a classic jig head and plastic and the ned style.

[@gerthao4850]

Ned rigs completely change the action of any plastics you attach to it and how it falls.

[@whales302]

@@gerthao4850 Cool, I'll have to give this a try!

[@TargetWalleye]

Yeah I don't 100% get it either, but it just kicks the snot out of other stuff. I try throwing different style of baits in there all the time and the Ned outfishes. One big difference I think (specifically for this vid) is how Neds stand straight up on the bottom...I think they LOVE that when they chase it down. I dunno if it looks like a little perch pecking at bottom with it's tale up, or maybe a crayfish in the defensive position, but they eat it so I'm going to keep throwing it.

[@theunluckyfisherman4845]

@@TargetWalleye just spitballin but maybe they just don't like a mouthful of dirt? I feel like that why it gets so many bites, because it's so easy to locate and eat when it's standing straight up like that vs buried in mud

[@whales302]

@@TargetWalleye Alright... I went out today to my fav little lake close to my house and tried a Ned Rig for the first time. I couldn't believe how fast and how many Walleyes I caught. I put away the slip bobber and leeches as the Ned was doing better. I had to pack it in after 2 hours as I wimped out with a sore arm. Thanks for all the tips!

[@timothyroche6445]

Just curious what lake are you on ? Thanks

[@TargetWalleye]

This was on Mille Lacs, MN.

[@timothyroche6445]

@@TargetWalleye JUST CURIOUS, I AM ON RAINY LAKE

[@travismcdermott3816]

What brand glue are you using?

[@TargetWalleye]

Loctite Super Glue (gel control). No drip. Dries in 30 sec. Water resistant. And the easy squeeze bottle is sick! But of course it's spendy and you don't get very much lol. Only takes a drop tho 👍

[@SolidMango-gh3jk]

I was wondering about this is the walleyes would not like the scent from the glue but appears they don’t care. Usually they don’t even like scent of human hands.

[@chriskourlos4407]

Sdb. Go out and get some for the boys. Guaranteed catch more fish. I do! Im papou!

[@andrew5207]

I wish you showed more footage of the fish finder and gave your insight into what you are seeing when using it. 99% of the videos on KZbin just show someone catching fish. That doesn't help anyone. There needs to be more videos that allow the content creator to share their knowledge and theory if you will on how they target and then fish for them.

[@SolidMango-gh3jk]

Why even use a Ned head jig. Couldn’t you do just the same with a regular northland ball head and that plastic…..

[@gerthao4850]

You can, but a Ned rig has a completely different fall and changes the action of any plastic you put on.

[@SolidMango-gh3jk]

How. Just get the same weight. That cylinder shape can’t do that much. Nor would it help it stand up any better in sand/mud/muck. It would all be the same

[@gerthao4850]

​@SolidMango3342 It does change. If you haven't fished Ned rigs enough, you won't even realize the difference. It's hard to explain how it changes. You just had to try it and do it yourself.

[@TargetWalleye]

Sure, you'll catch fish doing that! But on certain days you'll catch WAY more with Ned specific stuff. There's a ton of tiny little differences that don't seem like much, but when all combined can be the deal. Few examples… The jig’s head shape and angle of the line tie absolutely do make a difference in the bait wanting to stand up versus dragging it down. Watch an underwater video and you can see how the moment the head catches or even just drags on anything it kicks the back end up. Ned-specific jigs also have thinner hooks which for sure helps with the hook-up ratio using this technique. Don’t need to drive ‘em home - the slightest pressure and it’s like a needle popping thru. Most Ned specific plastics are also designed to float and are super buoyant. Instead of laying on bottom, they stand straight up and wiggle even when you don’t think you’re doing anything. Can look like a small perch pecking on bottom, a grayish reared back in its defensive position - who knows, but fish love to snatch it off bottom the way it stands up versus laying flat. Neds are also way more subtle, floaty and just fish really finesse-y. You don’t have to move them fast to get the right action, they actually look and fish better the slower you go with the right combo. But then also look very natural and subtle when a fish is getting a good look at them…since you’re not fishing it fast for a reaction bite. It’s tough to explain it all, but at the end of the day they flat-out catch fish! My biggest recommendation is to just try throwing one sometime. Maybe even after you’re already catching a couple fish so you know they’re around. Best way to gain confidence in a new technique. But I think you’ll be surprised how well they eat it some days! And then it’s wild when you throw your old standbys in there and don’t catch as many haha. Hope you have a great season and thanks for watching!

[@Superkuh2]

I see real time sonar imaging and I close the tab because I know the tactics in the video won't work without it.

[@josephr1198]

Yeah, Ned rigs only work with live sonar, definitely haven't been catching walleye for years

[@Superkuh2]

@@josephr1198 Did you watch this video? Look how he's targeting individual fish. of course ned rigs work. But what he's doing has no relation to how most people can fish.

[@josephr1198]

@Superkuh2 sure did, you can target individual fish without live imaging, I do it with regular chirp sonar in a 40 year old boat that's worth less than live imaging. Does live imaging make it easier? Yeah But people were targeting single fish long before live sonar came out.

[@TargetWalleye]

You don't need to have it (or even want it) to learn something about fish behavior in video's featuring it and then apply it to your fishing.... I've used this same technique in the same areas and caught fish for years before ever having FFS, but I had no idea until using LiveScope that so many of the walleyes I was catching were actually suspended and chasing the bait down...just assumed it was the fish near bottom (I was graphing with 2D) that were eating the bait.

[@oldcopper6587]

🎉OK...electronics are great but as far as I'm concerned it's not fishing but hunting. If you can afford it bless you.

[@TargetWalleye]

I hear ya! But the things we can learn about fish behavior from watching it are priceless. 😳

[@JD-ft2lr]

He's back! In black! Great video. Thanks

[@TargetWalleye]

Finally LOL. Thx!