So I go to Tackle Warehouse looking for Ned Rig jig heads and there are dozens to choose from. Can anyone offer any advice on this topic? I would like to bring some Ned Rigs on my Fall trip this September.

Berkley half head jigs are some of the best I have found for the money. If you want jigs smaller than 1/16 oz, you will have to use another brand as that is the smallest they make. They have the better bait holder style and decent hooks.

A warning, If you get them from Amazon they will probably not be the color you ordered. You can also get them from Tackle Warehouse or directly from Berkley.

I'm from the same area of Kansas that Ned Kehde is from so have fished them for years. Many do not understand them and most companies offer knock off baits that are not true Ned rigs. The best ones use the Elaztech baits from Zman, the material floats and is super stretchy soft and will last through many fish (50+). This is mostly what Ned uses. The material used is very important as is the use of light heads, light wire hooks, and light line.

Remember, it is about as finesse as you can get, but will catch fish when nothing else will. Ned gets most of his hooks from Gopher tackle or Zman since he usually uses 1/32, 1/16 or 3/32 oz. You will need to fish deeper up there do to the clear water so 1/16 or 1/8 works well most of the time. I do not bother with the in-between size (3/32) but it wouldn't hurt to have some.

The Berkley half heads are better quality than Zman, imo, but not better than Gopher (expensive).

I fish the ned rig a ton, and would agree with most of what mgraber said. Hands down z-man elaztech is the best plastic to use. The thing about elaztech though, is that it can be quite difficult to get the plastic properly seated on a lot of *non* zman jig heads (due to the keeper), and this is where my opinion differs from mgraber.

I think zman jig heads are the best. They are designed to work with elaztech, and they are quality made. I have tried lots of different jigheads in an effort to save a little money, and I just can't find an alternative I'm happy with. In terms of which ones to use, I'd recommend keeping it simple, and going with zman's classic Finesse Shroomz Jig in 1/10 or 1/15. I also really like the Power Finesse Shroomz Jig.

Now, all that said, I just looked up those berkley half heads mgraber mentioned. I've never used them before, but they look quality and they also look like they would be ok with zman plastic. I'm going to get me some to try.

I will give a plug for Jade’s Jigs out of Missouri..or is it Arkansas…can’t remember. They have the traditional wire keeper that is a little temperamental with the Zman plastic as mentioned. However, it’s a small business with competitive prices where proceeds go to St Jude’s. They also use bismuth instead of lead so their 1/8 head fishes like a 1/9-1/10.

Wow, thanks. Quite a brain trust on this forum.

Tried Ned rigs for the first time on our Quetico trip in mid-June this year for walleyes. Brought along a few different sizes of jigs from different companies to try. Used with Z-man finesse shadz much of the time and am a true believer in that technique now. Most of the fish were still relatively shallow in 10-14 ft. depths. We would reel, pop the jig up a couple of ft., pause and repeat. I will be anxious to try using these later on in the summer on trips when the fish will be in the 20-25' range to see if this same type of presentation will work when vertical jigging or dragging slowly along the bottom on a drift. Will probably have to move up in weight to jig closer to a 1/4 to 3/8 oz. in weight.

My preference is the 1/16 oz. Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head with the Z-Man Finesse TRD. The Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head has molded bait keeper on the hook body. I will use a the 1/8 oz. in windy conditions.
Berkley Half Heads - I don’t like the additional lead weight bait keeper on the hook and the hooks are not as sharp as the Eagle Claws.
Z-Man Finesse Shroomz - I read that the hooks are brittle and can break even when using light line. Usually on a snagged rock or log. Some speculated (now defunct River Smallies forum) that the salt in the Z-Man TRD rusted the hook so when it was used again on the following weekend, it would be slighty weakened. I have never tried them.
Owner Block Head - I think they are too expensive for 4 jig heads. I did find some 1/32 oz. Owner Block Head jig heads on clearance at Academy and bought a dozen packages dirt cheap. They work well and I use them when I want to go lighter than 1/16 oz.
I have also bought some no name home poured “Gopher Heads” off eBay during Covid when I couldn’t find anything else available. The hooks were not as sharp as the Eagle Claws.
I have completed my search for the perfect Ned rig and have over 10 packages of the Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head.


Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse, Berkley Half Head, Owner Block Head, Gopher Head off eBay

For those who have posted so far...

What fish are you targeting with a Ned rig?

PowerLizard: "My preference is the 1/16 oz. Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head with the Z-Man Finesse TRD. The Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head has molded bait keeper on the hook body. I will use a the 1/8 oz. in windy conditions.
Berkley Half Heads - I don’t like the additional lead weight bait keeper on the hook and the hooks are not as sharp as the Eagle Claws.
Z-Man Finesse Shroomz - I read that the hooks are brittle and can break even when using light line. Usually on a snagged rock or log. Some speculated (now defunct River Smallies forum) that the salt in the Z-Man TRD rusted the hook so when it was used again on the following weekend, it would be slighty weakened. I have never tried them.
Owner Block Head - I think they are too expensive for 4 jig heads. I did find some 1/32 oz. Owner Block Head jig heads on clearance at Academy and bought a dozen packages dirt cheap. They work well and I use them when I want to go lighter than 1/16 oz.
I have also bought some no name home poured “Gopher Heads” off eBay during Covid when I couldn’t find anything else available. The hooks were not as sharp as the Eagle Claws.
I have completed my search for the perfect Ned rig and have over 10 packages of the Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head. "

I'll have to give the Eagle Claws a try. Most stuff Eagle Claw is worse than junk, these sound interesting. Not sure about the keeper, it is hard to beat the keeper on the Berkleys, VERY secure and works with all baits. It is basically the same as the keeper on the premium Zmans. Not sure what Gopher heads you tried on Ebay, but the ones from Gopher Tackle are the best of the best and can be ordered with VMC, Eagle Claw, Gamagatsu, etc. hooks and in small weight increments and tons of colors. They are totally custom and very high quality but way overpriced. They have been in business forever. Thanks for Eagle Claw tip!

bobbernumber3: "For those who have posted so far...


What fish are you targeting with a Ned rig?"

Smallmouth Bass

Walleyes for me. More commonly used by bass fisherman I believe but catching on in walleye country also.

PowerLizard: "Z-Man Finesse Shroomz - I read that the hooks are brittle and can break even when using light line. Usually on a snagged rock or log. Some speculated (now defunct River Smallies forum) that the salt in the Z-Man TRD rusted the hook so when it was used again on the following weekend, it would be slighty weakened. I have never tried them."

I've easily gone through 100+ zman finesse shroomz jigs, and I can assure you what you read is not true. I usually fish them on 6 or 8lb line, occasionally on 12lb. Not a single time has the hook broke. When snagged, the line always snaps first or if using 12lb and I give a gentle but steady pull the hook will straighten out, and I can bend it back in place and keep fishing.

I also frequently leave my hooks in the elaztech plastic, sometimes for months at a time, because I use a dab of super glue when first putting the hook in place. This has never weakened a hook for me.

Now, if you want to try a brittle hook, try the Madbite Ned Rig Kit on Amazon. 24 hooks for $7.99.

WesternHills: "Now, all that said, I just looked up those berkley half heads mgraber mentioned. I've never used them before, but they look quality and they also look like they would be ok with zman plastic. I'm going to get me some to try."

I just got several packs of the Berkley Half Heads today and went fishing tonight. I have to say I'm impressed. I believe the hook is a bit more stout than zman, but still has that lite wire feel for easy hook sets on lite line. Also the keeper works great.

PowerLizard: "My preference is the 1/16 oz. Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head with the Z-Man Finesse TRD. The Eagle Claw Pro-V Finesse Jig head has molded bait keeper on the hook body."

I like these Eagle Claw jig hooks too, and the keeper is really nice. I also really like the bend in the hook, and think it's better than the standard round bend. I don't personally use these though, as I think the bite gap is a tad smaller then other brands.