Early Fall Ned Rig Fishing for Bass

As the days begin to shorten and the temperatures start to cool, early fall is a prime time for bass fishing. One effective technique to use during this transitional period is the Ned Rig. This finesse technique continues to prove its effectiveness in catching bass, even as the seasons change.

When it comes to early fall Ned Rig fishing, having the right bait is crucial. Baits like the Rapala Crush City Ned Blt, Zman Finesse TRD, and Xzone Ned Zone are popular choices among anglers for their realistic design and fish-catching abilities. The subtle action of these baits can be particularly effective in enticing sluggish bass during the early fall months.

Technique 

There are a few different ways to fish the Ned Rig in early fall. Fish it slow. This is not a reaction strike technique and doesn’t require a lot of effort. Cast out let go to the bottom, hold it in place pop it up let it drop and repeat. Pause at least 3-5 seconds between jigs as a lot of the time bass hit it on the pause and you don’t know it’s on until the you raise the bait off the bottom. If that cadence isn’t effective you can drag on bottom and watch the tip. The rod will load when a fish is on and set the hook. Last but definitely not least dead stick. I’ve caught many fish doing absolutely nothing. 

Where to fish? 

Target shallow areas near cover such as brush piles, fallen trees, and weed beds. As the water begins to cool, bass will often move to these areas to feed, making them prime spots for Ned Rig fishing. Cast your bait near the cover and let it sink slowly to the bottom, then use a slow, subtle retrieve to mimic a natural food source.

Another effective way to fish the Ned Rig in early fall is to target rocky or sandy bottoms. Bass will often congregate in these areas as they transition from their summer haunts to their fall feeding grounds. Casting your bait along the bottom and letting it bounce off the rocks or sand can trigger a strike from a hungry bass.

Finally, don’t overlook deeper water when fishing the Ned Rig in early fall. As the water temperatures drop, bass will often move to deeper, cooler water to adjust to the upcoming cold fronts. Targeting drop-offs, channel edges, and other deep structures can be a great way to hook into some big bass during this time of year.

Ned Rig Hooks

There are many different Ned rig hooks on the market today from your favourite brands. You are going to want something that has a good bait holder so your bait doesn’t slide and you have to keep readjusting after every cast. You’re also going to want a couple sizes depending on depth you are fishing.

Typically I’ll throw anything from 1/8 oz to 3/8 oz. General rule of thumb is deeper you fish heavier weight you want as this is a bottom fishing technique. But, sometimes a lighter weight like a 3/16 oz or even 1/8 oz could be critical in the 15-20 fow range. On some occasions the bass want to see it drop more and follow it rather than have it drop right in front of their faces. So there are many factors at play. I would have on hand 3 sizes 1/8 oz, 1/4, and 3/8. But you can get away without 3/8oz if you don’t plan on fishing anything more than 25 fow. 

Colour selection

Stick with your natural looking colours like green pumpkin, brown and black. On rare occasions they might hit a chartreuse head but often than not natural is your best bet. 

Rod, reel and line.

Rod

The Ned Rig is a finesse technique so you will want a medium power rod with a fast to extra fast action. Length of the rod is also very critical when it comes to rod selection. Choose from a 6’10” to a 7’3” action rod and you’ll be able keep those fish pinned 

Reel

This is a spinning reel technique and you’ll wanna pair your rod with a 2500 to a 3000 size series reel. I like a faster 6:2:1 gear ratio so I can pick slack line fast and make a proper hook set. 

Line

10 pound braid is your best bet in a low vis green colour. Many options out there for braid but try to pick one with a thinner diameter so you can maximize line capacity and castabilty. You are 100% going to want a fluorocarbon leader ranging from 8 to 12lb test. Depending on what structure you are around. If there is a lot of rock and stumps that could weaken and fray your line it might be a good idea to bump up to a 10lb or 12lb leader. Or the opposite if you are fishing a clear lake with lots of visibility step down to a 8lb. If you are only going to have one get the 10lb test right in the middle. 

My setup

I fish a ned rig throughout the summer and into the fall. It has been a very successful technique for both largemouth and especially smallmouth bass. I’ve won a few tournaments this year including Lake St Clair on a single Rapala Crush City Ned BLT.

The setup I ran was 13 Fishing Omen Black Gen III paired with a 13 Fishing Axum 3000 spinning reel lined with suffix 832 10lb braid and 8lb suffix fluorocarbon leader. The bait to hook combo was a key factor in my success in my Lake St Clair tournament. I had tied on a Crush City Ned BLT Coppertruse with a green pumpkin 3/16 oz VMC Ned Rig Jig. This combination put fish in the boat when nothing else would. 

So if you’re looking to capitalize on the early fall bass bite, give the Ned Rig a try. With the right bait and the right technique, you could be reeling in some trophy bass as the seasons change. Happy fishing!