Ned Rod

[slipknot6]

Looking for input on spinning rod suggestions for 1/8th oz neds. This year I threw them on a custom build scv 7' mlf, but it had too much tip for me. I throw neds in 6-10ft around grass a lot, and found that tip too soft for popping the bait free quickly in the weeds. I love everything else about the rod, but looking for something between a mlf and mf on the scv blank I guess you could say. Thinking of a 852 nrx or addermine, but open to any suggestions.

[BRONZEBACK32]

I would use a weedless presentation myself.

Take a look at the Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head, if not I would recommend the NRX 852

[slipknot6]

I do use weedless, the head is what gets caught, not the hook.

[Cranky]

NRX852

[bronzefly]

Steez AGS 76MML... that's an amazing rod.

[falcon]

You’ll want the mf st croix or something along the lines of the 852 loomis

[Tim Kelly]

How about a MXF? They always seem to fish half a power lighter to me, but with more backbone. 5'10", 6'3", 6'8", 6'10" are some of the options.

[ZJKorman]

Expride medium. A little lighter on the weight ratings on most medium power rods.

[HobeyBaker]

Steez AGS 76MML... that's an amazing rod.

That's why I have two. I actually like the 852 NRX better for this application because I frequently skip them under docks. Open water and you're splitting hairs. Filet mignon or ribeye...

[bwjay]

Expride medium. A little lighter on the weight ratings on most medium power rods.

I had the Expride 6'8MXF before I cracked it with a 1/6oz Ned head coming out of a tree at 1000 miles an hour, lol. It was a great rod, very sensitive, caught some beautiful lake trout on it that picked up a small jighead off the bottom. Only got them because the tip deflection is perfect for feeling when it's "heavier" than it should be, without actually putting much pressure on the fish. That being said, I honestly felt like it was a tiny bit too stiff for Ned heads. I remember the rod not loading up as much as I would have liked, even with a 1/6oz head and small TRD plastic. None of my rods are currently light enough for my liking (for Ned rigs and possibly dropshot) so I am looking at ML instead of M rods.

However, since I may want to throw these baits near cover, I want the precision of a casting setup. I like spinning gear less and less every time I use it, and I grew up with it! I just can't cast nearly as accurately and the only advantage I see is not worrying about line management when throwing out a bait and letting it sink to bottom, for jigs, dropshot, etc. I will still bring a ~M spinning rod out with me for open water jigs and dropshots and whatnot, but I think I will prefer a ML casting setup for Ned rigs and similar light baits when throwing them near downed brush, trees, etc, so I don't get hung up and lose a bunch of baits, or worse, take out my eye or another rod when trying to get the baits free.

[jpmoney]

I see there is a 7-2” ML Shimano expride casting rod. I would put bets on that one being good for 1/8oz or less Neds.

[cndbasshunter]

i have the 7l+ expride and the 72ml bfs casting expride both work nice for ned. i prefer the crispness and lightness of the 7'l for neds.

[russ57]

how small of neds can you throw on that, and what reel do you use?

[Cranky]

A lot of this comes down to personal preference. I’m not a fan of light rods even for the lighter wire exposed jig hooks but lots of different preferences out there. 852 is as light as I’m willing to go for getting good jig hooksets into bass and many consider that to be on the “stiff end”. My stoutest Ned setup is an 804S and I love it too!

[cndbasshunter]

how small of neds can you throw on that, and what reel do you use?

7L id go 1/16 to 1/4oz
72ml id go 1/8 up to 1/2oz