Drop Shot & Ned Rig Baits

A drop shot puts the weight at the end of the line with the hook tied 6"–24" above it. The weight holds bottom while the bait hovers in front of the fish, so you can shake it in place without moving it away. It's a top finesse rig for clear water, deep fish and tough bites.

Tie a drop shot hook like the Drop N' Finesse Hook with a Palomar knot, leaving a long tag end. Pass the tag back through the hook eye from the top so the point faces up, then clip a drop shot weight to the tag 6"–24" below the hook. Nose-hook a small soft plastic.

A Ned rig is a short, buoyant soft plastic on a small mushroom-shaped jighead. On the bottom the bait stands up and wiggles with the slightest movement. It's one of the most reliable ways to catch bass when nothing else works.

Short, buoyant baits that float tail-up, like the Rattlin' Ned and Rattlin' Chunk. Pair them with the Rattlin' Ned Head in 1/16–1/8 oz for shallow water and 3/16–1/4 oz for deeper water or wind.

Cast, let it sink to the bottom on slack line, then slowly drag or lightly hop it a few inches at a time and pause. Don't overwork it: the bait's natural buoyancy does the work.

Light line on a spinning rod: 6–10 lb fluorocarbon, or 10–15 lb braid with a 6–10 lb fluorocarbon leader for longer casts and better hooksets. See our fishing line.