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Ned Rig - An Introduction
Have you tried the Ned Rig?
A Midwest finesse style of fishing, also known as the 'Ned Rig', has been smashing it in the US and thanks to a range of 'Ned Rig' plastics designed by US company ZMan Fishing Products and Australia's own TT Lures with their NedlockZ jigheads, Aussie anglers can now put this technique to work on our local species.
A modification of techniques pioneered in the US by angling icons like Chuck Woods, Guido Hibdon, and Charlie Brewer, the Ned Rig was conceived and brought to mainstream attention by Ned Kehde, an avid angler and veteran fishing industry writer from Lawrence, Kansas. Hence the 'Ned Rig'. Kehde's small jighead and plastic combo may look unassuming on the surface, but its slow fall and darting action are astonishing, almost always eliciting strikes in even the toughest conditions.
The TT Lures NedlockZ jighead is a mushroom style jighead that assists with the 'stand up' presentation, while also hinging rapidly between fleeing on the retrieve and defending on the pause as it stands up rapidly, like a saltwater yabbie, crab or cray, throwing its claws up in defence. NedlockZ are built on Mustad, black nickel, chemically sharpened hooks and although only small they are brutally strong and capable of landing quality fish.
The range of ZMan's 10X Tough, naturally buoyant Ned Rig plastics cover the jellybean theory of that bite size morsel that big fish can't resist, through to larger options such as the 4" Big TRD, a plastic that is sure to become a favourite on snapper, mulloway, barra and more. Let's have a quick look at a few Ned Rig plastics.
ZMan 2.75" Finesse TRD
The Finesse TRD (The Real Deal) is designed specifically for the Midwest finesse style of fishing, more commonly known as the Ned Rig, which has been gaining momentum as a subtle and easy-to-master, yet amazingly effective, presentation. The Finesse TRD possesses the ideal finesse profile in a ready-to-fish package. A softer ElaZtech formulation and custom salt content allow the TRD to exhibit the precise sink rate, lifelike action, and irresistible feel that expert finesse anglers have learned result in longer holds and increased hook-up ratios. Unleashed on Australian species, this little stickbait is proving a bite-size snack in the fresh and salt.
ZMan 4" Big TRD
Incorporating the familiar profile and irresistible action found in the hugely popular Finesse TRD, the upsized Big TRD draws even more attention to help trigger even bigger bites. Think snapper, mulloway, barra and other larger Aussie predators and you have a finesse presentation that will excel when the bite is tough. The natural buoyancy of the 10X Tough ElaZtech material allows this larger plastic to be effectively fished on the range of TT Lures HeadlockZ jigheads, or weedless rigged on the ChinlockZ and SnakelockZ series.
ZMan 2.5" TRD CrawZ
An ultra-realistic crayfish imitation, the TRD CrawZ was designed for Ned-rigging but is also ideal for use as a finesse jig trailer for the ZMan CrossEyeZ Power Finesse Jigs and even as a saltwater crab or yabbie imitation thanks to its buoyant claws that stand the bait up in a natural defensive posture when paused or dragged on the bottom. Already a winner on bream, bass, flathead and more, the TRD CrawZ is a snack size fish slayer.
ZMan 3" TRD HogZ
Mimicking a variety of invertebrates that make the diet of a range of species, the 3" TRD HogZ is a ribbed, compact-profile creature bait that pairs perfectly with TT Lures NedlockZ jigheads for Ned Rig style applications. Featuring legs and twin tails that quiver at the slightest movement, its buoyant ElaZtech body stands up off the bottom at rest, bringing the bait to life. TRD HogZ are a game-changing option for Ned Rig anglers experiencing tough bites and have proven effective on a wide variety of fresh and saltwater species that feed on anything from insects and crays, to crabs, prawns and saltwater yabbies.
ZMan 4" Hula StickZ
The right bait can be the difference between a big day and coming up empty, and when finesse tactics are in order, the Hula StickZ is the right bait! This buoyant bait stands up off the bottom with its tentacles brought to life, sending out subtle strike triggers to species such as snapper, mulloway, bass, flathead and more.
It's now up to Aussie anglers to put the Ned Rig to work in our waters and discover how, when and where this fish catching phenomenon will make its mark as a genuine go-to fish catcher in Australia. Early testing of this technique opened our eyes to its effectiveness in local waters and we look forward to checking out your captures on the Ned Rig.
Fish on!
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