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Fall 2018
In addition to the popular Z-Man Finesse TRD, Clausen also reaches for a Hula StickZ and TRD HogZ.
“The Hula StickZ is a bulkier profile and is great for bigger smallmouth and the HogZ excels for river smallmouth because it looks like many the small insects and crustaceans they feed on in river systems,” he explains. “I feel that the biggest key with all of these baits is the ElaZtech plastic they use and how buoyant it is. When it falls to the bottom it stands up and doesn’t just lay on the bottom like a stick.”
Clausen shares that each jighead has their own time and place and says he generally uses the lightest head he can get away with and still fish it effectively.
“You want to be able to still cast it and to still be able to feel the bottom,” he said. “Obviously, that is going to change based on wind, current and other factors like how deep you are fishing.”
His go-to is a 1/5-ounce. Z-Man Weedless Power Finesse ShroomZ. It has a 3/0 hook and dual weedguard to protect against snaggy cover.
“That bigger hook really pins them and also allows you to use some bigger plastics like the Z-Man Big TRD, which is four inches long,” he added.
“You want a rod that is light and not too stiff; so, you can cast it, but not too light where you can’t drive the hook in when you set the hook,” he advised. “I use a 7’2”, medium Phenix M1 with a 2500 Shimano Stradic Ci4+ and spool it with 10-pound Duel Hardcore with a 6-, 8- or 10-pound Yo-Zuri TopKnot fluorocarbon leader. I vary the leader size based on the cover I am fishing.”
HOW TO FISH IT
There really isn’t a wrong way to fish the Ned Rig. It can be dragged along the bottom, fished like a shakey head and more. When it comes to smallmouth, Clausen feels that the best way to fish it is a way that appeals to their nature.
“Smallmouth are really visual when they feed,” he said. “They will see it falling from a long distance and it seems like the majority of them, that I catch, are when it is falling after a cast.
“What I like to do is let it fall, shake it a few times and then pull the rod up quickly to get the bait to rise and fall again. This is a good way to get a few more bites during the day.”
GEAR USED
Spinning gear and light line is a must for the Ned rig according to Clausen. When he chooses his, he is careful to select a rod that will cast the lightweight rig a long distance.
NED RIG SITUATIONS
Since smallmouth are visual feeders, it makes sense that the clearer the water, the better, but, Clausen says the Ned Rig can still be used in dirtier water.
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