
Ned Rig
Finesse bottom bait that catches when nothing else will.
Technique
Drag and deadstick
Depth
5-20 ft
Water Clarity
Clear to stained
Best Conditions
Tough bites, cold fronts, clear water
About This Lure
A short, buoyant soft-plastic stick on a light mushroom jighead. Its slow fall and stand-up posture on the bottom make it deadly for pressured or inactive fish.
How To Fish It
Cast the Ned rig to rocky transitions, points, or brush piles and allow it to hit the bottom completely. Use a slow drag technique to mimic a dying crawfish or goby, followed by long pauses where you let the bait deadstick to trigger neutral fish. Maintain a semi-slack line to ensure the bait stands up vertically on the hook.
Retrieve Cadence
Drag the bait 6 inches along the bottom, pause for 5 to 10 seconds, and give the rod tip a subtle shake before reeling in slack.
Best Colors
Sizes & When To Use
Commonly Rigged On
Recommended Gear
Pro Tips
- Always check that your bait is standing straight up in the water after casting.
- Avoid over-working the bait; the goal is to keep it in the strike zone as long as possible.
- If bites are light, switch to a lighter jig head to increase the flutter time.
- Keep your rod tip low to the water to prevent excess line bow from wind interference.
Species This Lure Catches

Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
The ultimate American freshwater predator, the Largemouth Bass is the king of shallow-water structure and aggressive strikes.
View guide →
Crappie
Pomoxis annularis (White) and Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Black)
The elusive 'papermouth' is a schooling dynamo that offers some of the most rewarding light-tackle fishing in North America.
View guide →
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
The pound-for-pound king of North American freshwater, renowned for explosive aerial leaps and dogged, drag-screaming fights.
View guide →Catch more these fish — free
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