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Wired2fish contributor Dan Quinn sets out on a late fall smallmouth bass mission armed with a heavy Ned rig. His approach uses a heavier weight, making fishing deeper and more aggressively possible while maintaining the classic finesse presentation. Quinn shares his tips on using this versatile rig effectively throughout the fall transition.
TACKLE USED
- JIG – VMC Swingin’ Ned Rig Jig, 3/8-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- PLASTIC – Rapala CrushCity Ned BLT: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- ROD – 13 Fishing Muse II Black Spinning Rods: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- REEL – Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel, 2500HG: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE (braided mainline) – Sufix 832 Braided Line Neon Lime, 8-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
- LINE (fluorocarbon leader) – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon Line Leader, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- JACKET – Rapala Pro Rain Jacket, color – Grey Black: Buy at Rapala
- BIBS – Rapala Pro Rain Bibs, color – Grey Black: Buy at Rapala
WHY THE NED RIG WORKS FOR FALL SMALLMOUTH
The Ned rig is widely regarded as among the best smallmouth bass lures thanks to its ability to trigger bites from bass nearly anytime, anyplace. Quinn explains why the presentation excels for smallmouth bass during the fall. As water temperatures drop, smallmouth consolidate around deeper wintering areas where a heavy yet subtle Ned rig quickly reaches the fish.
SWINGING NED: A NEW TAKE ON A CLASSIC RIG
Quinn showcases a new twist on the traditional Ned rig: the “Swingin’ Ned,” a swinging jighead design with a finesse hook and fast-falling conical jig head and finesse hook. By adding a heavier head, this setup allows anglers to target deeper fish while keeping the finesse style intact. The articulated joint adds extra action and allows a floating plastic to float upright, making it more visible to the fish. You can thread a worm on with an exposed hook or Texas rig the plastic around cover. Quinn was fishing around standing timber, so Texas rigging reduced snagging.
ADAPTIVE TECHNIQUES FOR COLD-WATER SMALLMOUTH
Quinn emphasizes the importance of adjusting tactics based on fish behavior. Smallmouth often gather near wintering spots like boulders and points in colder months. You can fish a heavy Ned rig vertically, using the moping technique or dragging it slowly along the bottom. This makes it a versatile option for targeting suspended or bottom-hugging bass. To optimize the Ned rig for deeper waters, Quinn uses a floating plastic to keep the bait suspended and visible as shown in the underwater video. For more lure insight, check out Seth Feider’s top baits for fall smallmouth bass.
BOAT SETUP & MISC.
- BOAT – Ranger Z520R: Check out at Ranger
- MOTOR – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
- FISH FINDER – Lowrance HDS PRO 12 Fish Finder/Chartplotter: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- LIVE SONAR – Lowrance ActiveTarget Live Sonar: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Lowrance Ghost Freshwater Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
