Ned Rig Smallmouth Bass | Underwater Crawfish Lure EATS‼️

With the northern swing of bass fishing tournaments underway, we felt it a good time to publish this Ned rig crawfish video. Wired2fish intern Will Stanley shares his system for finding and catching dog days smallmouth bass using ultra-realistic crawfish plastics on small jig heads fished on the bottom. We've seen it repeatedly in clear water — smallmouth often refuse conventional Ned-style plastics and drop shots but will gobble up natural-looking Ned rig baits. Such was the case on this day. *Additional product links at the bottom.

FEATURED TACKLE (retail links)
NED SETUP #1 (light)

NED SETUP #2 (heavier)

A cold front dropped the water temp several degrees, turning off the smallmouth bite and causing the fish to hug tightly to boulders. Stanley shares his side imaging methodology of dropping waypoints on prime boulders (big and isolated) and rock-to-gravel transition zones. After some reconnaissance, he starts running his waypoint milk run using 360 and forward-facing sonar (Humminbird MEGA Live) to confirm the presence of fish.

Stanley employs two similar yet distinct Ned rig smallmouth setups. The first and lighter setup features a 1/16-ounce jig fished on a long, medium-light spinning rod for delivering longer casts and a slower drop speed. The second setup steps up to a 1/8th ounce jig head fished on a medium power rod. The heavier setup lets you experiment with faster drop speeds and more erratic jigging actions to temp reaction strikes.

A bigger 3000-size spinning reel is favored in both scenarios. Larger spools provide enhanced line management through improved casting distance, reduced memory, and smoother drag performance. Stanley stresses the importance of fishing this setup on the bottom; crawfish live on the bottom, so keep your bait there and in constant contact with hard cover. Natural colors usually perform best and provide the ultimate match the hatch scenario when paired with today's realistic profiles -- a proven system for finicky sight-feeding smallmouth.

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[randy]

Great job. Very good video and audio on the Ned and how to use it! Keep up the good work. Thanks!

[JohnPascavageFishing]

Just got back from the Lake Champlain BFL, and cashed a check largely thanks to the Ned. Needed a 1/10th ounce head for a slower fall, the fish would either hit it on the fall, or they wanted it on the bottom dead sticked and dragged a few feet at a time.

[lstaples]

The ol deadly nedly... chartreuse on those smallies to... yuup 👍🐟💪

[fresnobassn]

That under water footage is alway's kool👍🏼👏👍🏼

[colejfishingadventures]

I also love making fishing videos and am just getting started and love watching your videos!! 🤝🤝

[MBPFishing]

Awesome I got an underwater camera but the waters do dingy this time of the year here I can't get any clips. 👍👊😄

[pondgators]

Awesome video! Your channel seems really cool!! Just subbed too!👍

[nashguy]

What brand plastic crayfish you using on the 1/160z

[anthonyzuniga]

I do not have a boat or a fish finder I fish from the bank like 80 percent of fisherman and women and kids I lost 37 zman lures in 3 weeks fishing at the bottom on rocks and weeds have not cought a fish how can I catch a fish?