How to Fish a Ned Jig for Bass: The Complete Finesse Fishing Guide for Bass Bites

How to Fish a Ned Jig for Bass: The Complete Finesse Fishing Guide for Bass Bites

How to Fish a Ned Jig for Bass

A Simple, Deadly Finesse Technique That Consistently Catches Bass

The Ned rig has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable bass-catching techniques ever created. When fishing gets tough, bass are pressured, or weather conditions change, a Ned jig can often turn a slow day into a productive one.

Unlike bulky power fishing lures, Ned rigs rely on a compact profile, subtle movement, and bottom contact to trigger bites from bass that ignore larger baits.

One highly effective variation of this technique is a skirted Ned jig, like a Bass Bite from Weapons of Bass Destruction Lure Co., which combines the finesse profile of a Ned rig with the added attraction of a pulsing skirt.

Whether you're fishing from shore, boat, or kayak, here’s how to fish a Ned jig effectively and put more bass in the boat.

What is a Ned Jig?

A Ned jig is a small jig head paired with a short soft plastic bait that is designed to be fished slowly along the bottom.

The classic Ned rig presentation keeps the bait standing upright, imitating small baitfish, crawfish, or bottom-feeding forage.

A skirted Ned jig, such as the Bass Bites skirted Ned jig, adds subtle skirt movement that increases water displacement and visibility while still maintaining the finesse profile that makes Ned rigs so effective.

This combination can make a big difference when bass are pressured or feeding on smaller forage.

Best Gear for Fishing a Ned Jig

Fishing Ned jigs doesn’t require complicated equipment, but the right setup makes a big difference.

Rod
Medium-light or medium spinning rod (6'10"–7'2")

Reel
2500 size spinning reel

Line
10 lb braid mainline with an 8–10 lb fluorocarbon leader

This setup provides the sensitivity needed to detect subtle bites and maintain good bottom contact when fishing finesse jigs like Bass Bites.

Where to Fish a Ned Jig

Ned jigs work almost anywhere bass live, but they are especially effective in areas where bass are feeding close to the bottom.

Focus on areas like:

  • Rock banks and riprap

  • Gravel flats

  • Weed edges

  • Points and drop-offs

  • Docks and laydowns

Because the presentation is subtle, Ned jigs often catch bass in areas that have already been heavily pressured by other anglers.

How to Fish a Ned Jig

The most common mistake anglers make with Ned rigs is moving them too quickly. This technique works best when fished slowly and methodically.

Here are three simple retrieves that consistently catch bass.

The Drag and Deadstick

Cast out and allow the bait to sink to the bottom. Slowly drag the jig a few inches at a time using your rod tip.

Pause frequently and allow the bait to sit still.

With finesse jigs like Bass Bites, the skirt continues to move naturally even when the bait is sitting motionless on the bottom, often triggering strikes from curious bass.

The Hop and Glide

Lift your rod tip slightly to hop the bait off the bottom, then let it glide back down on a semi-slack line.

This technique imitates a crawfish darting and settling back onto the lake floor.

The subtle skirt movement of Bass Bites adds extra attraction during the fall.

The Swim and Shake

Instead of keeping the bait strictly on bottom, slowly swim the jig while lightly shaking your rod tip.

This presentation can be extremely effective when bass are feeding slightly off the bottom or along weed edges.

Best Ned Rig Colors for Bass

Color selection can make a difference depending on water clarity and forage.

Some of the most productive Ned jig colors include:

  • Green Pumpkin – a natural color that works almost anywhere

  • Black and Blue – excellent for stained or muddy water

  • Peas and Carrots – a highly productive color pattern that mimics crawfish and bluegill forage

These types of natural color combinations are exactly why many anglers rely on finesse jigs like Bass Bites when bass are feeding on smaller prey.

Why Skirted Ned Jigs Work So Well

A skirted Ned jig combines the finesse approach of a traditional Ned rig with the added attraction of a jig skirt.

Advantages of skirted Ned jigs include:

  • Increased water movement

  • A slightly larger profile without losing finesse

  • Improved visibility in stained water

  • Extra action when the bait is sitting still

The subtle pulsing skirt found on Bass Bites skirted Ned jigs adds just enough movement to trigger bites without overpowering the finesse presentation.

Ned Rig Fishing in Ontario

Ontario is home to some of the best smallmouth and largemouth bass fisheries in North America, and the Ned rig has become a go-to technique for anglers across the province.

From rocky smallmouth lakes in Northern Ontario to vegetation-filled largemouth lakes throughout Southern Ontario, Ned rigs excel in situations where bass are pressured or feeding on smaller forage.

Many Ontario anglers rely on finesse presentations like Bass Bites skirted Ned jigs when fishing:

  • rocky shoals for smallmouth

  • weed edges for largemouth

  • clear water lakes with heavy fishing pressure

Because the Ned rig presentation is subtle and natural, it continues to produce bites on heavily fished lakes throughout Ontario.

Whether you're fishing Lake Simcoe, the Kawartha Lakes, or smaller inland lakes, Ned rigs remain one of the most reliable techniques for catching bass.

Final Thoughts

When bass become difficult to catch, the Ned jig is one of the most reliable techniques you can tie on. Its subtle action and compact profile consistently trigger bites when other lures fail.

Whether you're fishing rocky shorelines, pressured lakes, or cold water conditions, this finesse technique can help you catch more bass.

For anglers looking to add a little extra movement and attraction to their finesse setup, Bass Bites skirted Ned jigs from Weapons of Bass Destruction Lure Co. offer a unique twist on the traditional Ned rig while still maintaining the subtle presentation bass love.

Slow down, stay in contact with the bottom, and let the bait do the work.

FAQ: Ned Jig Fishing

What weight Ned jig should I use?

Most anglers use 1/16 oz to 1/4 oz depending on water depth and wind conditions. Lighter jigs work best in shallow water, while heavier weights help maintain bottom contact in deeper areas.

What soft plastics work best with a Ned jig?

Short stick baits, Ned worms, and small creature baits are commonly used with Ned jigs.

When should I fish a Ned rig?

Ned rigs work year-round but are especially effective during cold water periods, post-frontal conditions, and on heavily pressured lakes.

Are skirted Ned jigs better than standard Ned rigs?

Both styles catch fish, but skirted versions like Bass Bites can provide additional movement and visibility, which can help trigger strikes when bass want a slightly larger or more active presentation.

For anglers looking for a finesse option, check out our Bass Bites Skirted Ned Jigs designed specifically for bass fishing.

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