Everyone has a favorite rig, something they say will catch fish no matter what. If there is such a rig, chances are it is the Ned rig. While it may not look like much, it is one of the deadliest bass rigs available, catching largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass when nothing else is working.

As I said, the Ned rig does not look like much. A short, stubby worm on a mushroom jig head. It resembles what happens after a bass attacks a plastic, and it’s a deadly weapon designed to catch them, but that is precisely what it does and does well.

The fact that the Ned rig does not look like anything specific is part of its magic. As it bounces across the bottom, the bass cannot tell if it is a crayfish, a leech, or a baitfish – all of which are dinner for a hungry bass. Because of its slow movement, it also appears to be low risk, just what otherwise dormant fish are looking for. Its small size also does not spool fish like larger, more aggressive baits might do.

With finesse rig, the Ned rig lets you fish the same brush piles, docks, or stump fields as everyone else, but with different results. The low-key profile and movement will mean fish in the boat when nothing else is getting bites.

You do not need any fancy equipment to make use of the Ned rig: a lightweight mushroom jig, plastic of your choice, and your favorite spinning setup. A couple of tweaks, such as a spot of glue on the jig head or making sure the hook is exposed, will only add to its effectiveness.

The standard rig uses a short pinkie finger style worm, although some anglers have had success with crayfish, shad-style baits, and large worms. Early versions were 3 inches of material pinched onto a standard worm. Now, several companies offer plastic molded explicitly for this purpose. I have not found much difference between the two methods. Regardless of which you choose, look for a plastic with a high level of buoyancy. The slow sink rate will keep the lure in the strike zone longer, increasing the chance of a strike during the fall.

As stated before, the mushroom jig head is the standard for the Ned rig. This shape allows the rig to bounce on the bottom while reducing the risk of snags. When selecting a jug, use the lightest weight possible. In shallow water, this could be as light as 1/16th or 1/32nd of an ounce. Fishing deeper water, a quarter-ounce weight will still allow for a slow sink, maintain feel, and reach the bottom.

Finally, there is the rod and reel. Because this is a finesse rig, leave the baitcaster in the rod holder. This is the time for a light to medium spinning rod paired with a 10-pound braid and a 6-pound leader.