If you love finesse fishing but want something even simpler than a traditional Ned rig, the Ned Shrimp is your secret weapon. It’s tiny, subtle, and deadly on pressured fish. This post walks you through how to rig it, what gear works best, and simple fishing tactics that bring bites, all in plain, human language.
Why the Ned Shrimp works so well
The Ned Shrimp is a small soft-plastic trailer shaped like a shrimp or grub that rides on a light, mushroom-style jig head. It gives a compact profile, slow fall, and twitchy action that looks like an easy meal to wary bass and other panfish. Fish don’t need a lot of effort to commit to it, so even lethargic fish often bite.
Best gear for fishing a Ned Shrimp
You don’t need a flashy tackle. Keep it light and feel-oriented.
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Rod: 6’6″–7’2″ medium-light to medium action with a fast tip. You want a rod that casts small baits easily and feels every subtle tick.
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Reel: A small to mid-size spinning reel (2500–3000). Smooth drag helps when a bigger fish eats the tiny presentation.
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Line: 6–10 lb fluorocarbon or a 6–8 lb braided mainline with a 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fluorocarbon adds stealth and sensitivity.
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Hook/Jig head: 1/16 oz to 1/8 oz mushroom head or Ned-specific heads in sizes that fit the shrimp. Use a stout 1/0 to 2/0 hook, depending on shrimp size.
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Bait: Ned Shrimp trailers in natural colours (pearl, shrimp, watermelon seed) plus a couple bright options (smoke/chartreuse) for low visibility days.
How to rig a Ned Shrimp - step by step
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Choose the right head. Match the size of the mushroom head to the trailer; you want the belly of the shrimp to sit flush or just slightly cupped around the head.
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Centre the hook. Push the point of the hook through the nose of the shrimp, slide it about halfway, then bring the point out the belly and slide the shrimp up over the head until it sits snug.
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Seat it straight. Twist the bait slightly if needed so it rides straight on the hook. A crooked trailer ruins action and reduces hookups.
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Trim if necessary. If the tail is too long or chewed up, trim a little. Keep the overall profile balanced.
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Check the hook gap. The trailer should not block the hook point. An exposed point or a small gap works best for consistent hooks.
How to fish it - simple retrieves that catch fish
The magic of the Ned Shrimp is slow and deliberate. Here are go-to retrieves:
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Deadstick / Drag: Cast, let sink to the bottom, then slowly drag the bait in tiny twitches. Pause for a few seconds between drags. Often, the bite happens during the pause.
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Hop and rest: Give one soft hop with the rod tip, then let it sit. Repeat. Keep motions subtle; you’re mimicking a small shrimp or crawfish.
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Twitch retrieve: If fish are active, light twitches while reeling slowly will trigger short, aggressive strikes.
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Long fall: Cast past the target, count down until it reaches the bottom, then slowly hop. The long vertical fall can attract the following fish.
Pro tip: When fishing rocks or wood, keep the bait in contact with the structure. Ned Shrimp looks like food hiding under a cover.
Where and when to use the Ned Shrimp
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Shallow flats: Early morning or late evening when fish feed on small prey.
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Rocky points and docks: Fish often hold tight to structure, pitch the rig along edges.
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Weed edges: Let it fall through the weed tips; many bites come when the bait exits cover.
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Cold water / pressured lakes: When fish are sluggish or pressured, the small, subtle profile excels.
Timing: Spring and fall can be very productive, but it works year-round if you slow down and fish patiently.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
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Too heavy a head: If the bait falls too fast, go lighter. The slow fall is what gets bites.
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Rig crooked: Re-seat the bait. Small misalignments kill action and hookups.
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Using heavy line: Move to lighter fluorocarbon or braid/fluoro leader for more feel.
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Overworking it: Keep motions minimal. Big walks and sweeps scare fish off.
Quick checklist before you cast
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Rod rigged with 6–8 lb fluoro (or light braid + leader)
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1/16–1/8 oz mushroom head
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Ned Shrimp seat straight, hook point clear
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Tackle knots checked (improved clinch or Palomar)
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Target structure identified (rock, weeds, stump)
Conclusion
The Ned Shrimp is about finesse and patience. It’s not flashy, but when you match the setup and keep your retrieve subtle, it turns tough days into fish days. Start light, feel every bite, and don’t be afraid to change colour or head weight when fish go quiet. Small changes, big results.
FAQs About Rig & Fish a Ned Shrimp
What size mushroom head should I use for a 2.5″ Ned Shrimp?
Start with 1/16 oz. If the bait sinks too slowly or hangs up, move to 1/12–1/8 oz. The goal is a slow, natural fall.
Can I use a Ned Shrimp on braided line?
Yes, braid gives great sensitivity and long casts. Use a short fluorocarbon leader (3–4 ft) for stealth and to reduce visible line flash.
Which colours work best?
Natural colours like pearl, smoke, and shrimp imitate real prey. On stained water, try darker colours; in clear water, stick to translucent or pearl tones.
How do I know if a bite is soft or a snag?
Bites on a Ned are often a soft tap or a slight weight change followed by a pause. Snags feel like a hard stop. Reel slightly and feel for movement before setting the hook.
Should I set the hook hard?
No, a gentle, steady hookset is better. The bait is small; a hard yank can pull the hook free or tear the soft plastic. Lift the rod tip firmly but smoothly.