The Ned rig has become a go-to bait for when the bite gets tuff.
The compact and simple design gets bass to bite when nothing else will.
Although stick worms are the original soft plastics for this rig, many more have been created and they all have their place.
Here are the best ned rig baits that have been produced.
With all the different soft plastic bait options, a ned rig can pretty much imitate anything that swims.
However, the ned rig is a fantastic bait to imitate crawfish and small baitfish crawling or swimming along the bottom.
Another thing that ned rigs imitate is nothing. This may sound strange, but the beauty of the ned rig is the simplicity and compact design.
Sometimes, it doesn’t exactly look like anything specific, it just looks like an easy meal that bass don’t have to be cautious about.
Three categories of ned baits:
The finesse TRD is the bait that started it all. This was the first ever ned rig soft plastic bait.
And as the saying goes, “you can imitate, but you can’t replicate”. No company has been able to make a better ned bait than the Finesse TRD.
Perhaps the best selling and most often imitated softbait in the last decade, the original 2.75″ Ned Rig stickworm is still the hands-down favorite among tournament pros and weekend warriors alike, thanks to its floating, ElaZtech material, 10X Tough durability, and almost magical fish-catching prowess!
The real advantage and appeal of the Roboworm is the colors that are available. I mean, just look at that “Morning Dawn”.
Poured with Roboworm’s state-of-the-art robotic pouring system, which creates well defined colors similar to old school hand pours, but more consistent.
It is also equipped with a Salt Release System that provides a burst of salt when a fish bites to make them hold on longer for better hooksets.
Available in a wide range of proven fish catching colors, the Roboworm Ned Worm offers anglers a higher quality soft plastic for the Ned Rid technique.
The Missile Baits Ned Bomb Worm breaks the mold of traditional Ned baits and delivers a new school approach to the world of Ned-rigs.
Utilizing highly effective qualities of the Missile Baits Bomb Shot Worm, the Missile Baits Ned Bomb Worm features a fully ribbed body that captures air to create an enticing bubble trail and subtle vibration while its super thin paddle tail generates an undulating action with the slightest movement.
The Missile Baits Ned Bomb Worm also features a flat solid head, which not only allows it to match up seamlessly with a wide range of Ned-rig jigheads.
Designed for the rapidly growing Ned rig technique, the Xzone Lures Pro Series Ned Zone Stick Baits deliver finesse driven performance that is perfect for the Ned rig.
Made from a soft floating plastic, the Xzone Lures Pro Series Ned Zone Stick Baits feature a straight body with a small, bulbous tail that stands up off the bottom and produces a seductive quivering action.
The Xzone Lures Pro Series Ned Zone Stick Baits are also molded with an alignment line on the belly, so you can rig them perfectly straight every time.
Offered in a wide range of custom blended colors, the Xzone Lures Pro Series Ned Zone Stick Baits are a must-have for all Ned rig enthusiast.
This bait is quickly becoming my absolute favorites, and is certainly one of the best ned rig soft plastics.
The Snack Craw is a stealthy and non-threatening craw bait, designed specifically for catching pressured, conditioned fish. With a small profile, it’s perfect for various presentations.
Choose from six patterns, three with floating claws ideal for ball or NED heads, and three with neutral buoyancy.
Unlike other crawfish baits on the market, our bait focuses on simplicity. No legs, just simple claws that mimic real crayfish movement.
Relief cuts on the arms allow for subtle action, making it irresistible to fish.
Engineered with a solid nose for easy rigging on Finesse ShroomZ or NedlockZ jigheads, the 2.75″ TRD TubeZ exemplifies, quite simply, the perfect Ned Rig-sized tube bait profile that’s ideal for both Midwest finesse bass and crappie fishing tactics.
It’s buoyant ElaZtech makeup and thin, round tentacles cause the bait to stand up and come to life at rest, and its salted, super-soft, and dimpled body provides an incredibly natural feel to ensure longer holds and more consistent hook sets.
A favorite of smallmouth anglers on lakes, rivers, and creeks alike, its 10X Tough durability ensures that the tentacles remain intact even after repeated catches!
This is a fantastic smallmouth bass ned rig bait and overall goby imitation bait.
Enabled by its soft, malleable ElaZtech body, the Ned-rig-friendly TRD GobyZ swimbait matches the texture and action of a live round goby, while also mimicking other bottom-dwelling forage, such as bullheads, stonecats, sculpin, darters and mud minnows.
Anatomically accurate, sculpted body features realistic eye, fin and tail detailing; the GobyZ rounded paddletail delivers subtle yet natural swimming action.
Buoyant 10X Tough ElaZtech material extends bait life and elevates tail at rest, imitating small baitfish feeding on bottom.
A perfect match for Football NedZ, Finesse ShroomZ and other Z-Man Ned rig or small swimbait jigheads, the TRD GobyZ comes in ten optimized color patterns for swimming or bottom-dragging presentations.
With a hallmark mushroom head shape, light wire size 1 and 2 black nickel hooks, and welded wire keepers, there’s a reason why the first dedicated Ned Rig jigheads brought to market are still the most popular among finesse fishing enthusiasts!
Answering the call for a Ned head with compact but extra strong hook that will not overpower TRD-sized finesse baits, these mushroom-shaped jigheads are built on heavy duty size 1 and 2 Mustad hooks and loaded with primo features like an easy-to-rig ribbed split grip keeper, recessed hook eye, and chip-resistant finishes!
Merge the popular recessed eye mushroom head of the NedlockZ jigheads with an strong but compact custom size 1 VMC extra wide gap jig hook and molded keeper for easy weedless rigging, and you’ve got a snag resistant Ned Rig jighead capable of pulling fish out of the same cover that this jighead is designed to fish through!
The Ned Rig was named after Ned Kehde, an avid angler and fishing writer who popularized the technique.
He developed the rig as a finesse fishing solution for catching bass in tough conditions.
Ned Rig fishing is effective due to its subtle presentation and natural movements.
The small jig head and soft plastic bait mimic natural prey, making it appealing to fish, especially in pressured waters or when fish are less active.
While bass, especially largemouth and smallmouth bass, are the primary targets for Ned Rig fishing, it can also be effective for catching other freshwater species such as crappie, perch, walleye, and even panfish.
The Ned Rig can be effective year-round, but it’s especially useful in tough fishing conditions such as cold fronts, clear water, or highly pressured lakes.
It’s also productive during post-spawn and pre-spawn periods when fish may be less aggressive.
Yes, Ned Rig fishing is relatively simple and straightforward, making it an excellent technique for beginners to learn.
Its effectiveness and versatility also make it a favorite among experienced anglers.
Especially if you know how to rig the ned rig weedless, you can pretty much fish it anywhere, anytime.
In conclusion, the Ned Rig has undeniably earned its status as a go-to bait when the bite gets tough.
Its compact and simple design consistently entices bass to bite when other baits fail.
With the right soft plastic bait paired with an appropriate jig head, anglers can confidently tackle various conditions and target a wide range of freshwater species.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, the Ned Rig offers a reliable and rewarding fishing experience year-round.
