What’s the Best Ned Rig Rod? Reviews of the 5 Top Contenders

Fishing with a ned rig is a great option for anyone targeting bass and one of my personal favorite rigs. However, to fish this rig effectively, you’ll want to get a lightweight rod and a smaller trailer.

A stout rod can be counterproductive, and a heavy line ruins the point of the presentation.

With that being said, not all lightweight rods are equal, and they don’t all work for the ned rig.

Based on my years of on-the-water experience, the Piscifun Serpent Spinning Rod with Fuji Line Guides is the best ned rig rod on the market.

To be honest, the “best” rod for fishing the ned rig is a bit subjective and there are a ton of factors that come into play.

So, below I’ve listed several different rods that I think will work well for you based on price and specific fishing situations.

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Best Ned Rig Rod Overall

Piscifun Serpent Spinning Rod with Fuji Line Guides

Specs

• Brand: Piscifun
• Material: Carbon Fiber
• Size: 7’2”

Pros:

• Very sensitive to help “feel” the lure
• Fuji O Ring for smooth casting 
• Hook keep to make hooking and unhooking bait easier
• Anti-line twist tip to prevent tangles in the line
• Golf-style fighting butt to handle big fish

Cons:

• The reel seat is a bit shaky, leading to some loss of momentum and accuracy

Why We Chose It

The Serpent Spinning Rod was created with an IM7 carbon blank, making the rod lighter and stronger than other spinning rods.

I loved the comfortable grip, which resembles those on golf clubs and it’s anti-slip, so you don’t have to worry about losing your grip before or after the catch. 

The rod is extremely sensitive, which is one of the most important factors to look for when fishing the ned rig.

It features a Fuji O Ring for smooth casting. This ring is extremely durable, so you don’t have to worry about it falling off (like I’ve experienced before).

I’m also a huge fan of the hook keeper. This made hooking and unhooking bait a lot easier plus, it helps preserve the integrity of the rod guides and ceramic insert rings.

The anti-line twist tip helps ensure smooth casting.

We did find the reel seats a bit shaky. While you can fix this with some hockey tape, it is a bit disappointing.

Do keep in mind that this is an ultra-light rod. While this isn’t a downside in this case, understand what you’re getting. 

Best Budget Ned Rig Rod

Berkley BSLR702M Lightning Spinning Rod

Specs

• Brand: Berkley
• Material: Blend
• Size: 7’

Pros:

• Inexpensive to help save you some cash
• Lightweight to make the ned rig technique easier
• Rubberized cork handle for comfort
• Stainless steel guides for smooth casts

Cons:

• Not as durable as other options

Why We Chose It

The Berkley BSLR702M Lightning Spinning Rod is very sensitive, allowing you to feel the smallest bite. However, it is also strong enough to handle larger fish – a must when you’re fishing for bass. 

It’s lightweight, which is recommended for ned rigs. Plus, it’s much less expensive than some other options, allowing you to save a bit of money. 

The handles feature rubberized cork, which is durable and comfortable. It isn’t the highest-end handle option but it works great for the average angler. 

Stainless steel guides help ensure an even cast while also being pretty durable. They’re very waterproof and fashioned sternly to the side of the fishing rod. 

This rod is extremely lightweight – and you can sometimes tell how cheap it is. It isn’t odd for it to break when handling larger fish or for no apparent reason.

The company offers a warranty, which may help cover defects and breaks. 

However, in this case, you are getting what you pay for. If you’re on a strict budget, this rod is one of the best options. But it is a budget rod. 

Best Ned Rig Rod and Reel Combo

Abu Garcia Max Pro Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo

Specs

• Brand: Abu Garcia
• Material: Graphite
• Size: 7’

Pros:

• Inexpensive combo that can save you a bit of money
• Aluminum spool doesn’t add much weight
• Lightweight, graphite rod works well for the ned rig technique
• Rocket spool lip provides extra control of the line

Cons:

• Lower-quality gear than purchasing a standalone reel and rod

Why We Chose It

Like most rods on this list, the Abu Garcia Max Pro has a lightweight body, making it one of the best rods for ned rig. It’s made from graphite, making it lightweight and strong. 

The aluminum spool included is strong without adding any more weight. In the end, this makes the whole combo weigh very little. 

The everlast bail system increases durability, and the rocket spool lip provides extra line control as it comes off the spool. Plus, the whole combo is cheaper than you might expect. 

That said, this is a combo ned rig and rod, which typically means it isn’t the best option. You can typically get a better combo by purchasing the rod and reel separately.

However, this combo may be a solid option if you’re trying to save money and need both. I generally prefer to purchase rods and reels in this way.

It does seem less durable than stand-alone rods, and the reel isn’t necessarily the best. 

Best of the Rest

Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift Signature Series Drop Shot/Ned Rig Rod

Specs

• Brand: Fitzgerald
• Material: Graphite
• Size: 7’

Pros:

• Graphite construction for lighter weight and added durability
• Sensitive rod allows you to feel bites easily
• Corrosion-resistant guide add accuracy to your cast

Cons:

• Expensive

Why We Chose It

The Fitzgerald Bryan Thrift series has several rod options, including one made just for the ned rig technique. The rod is 7’ long and made of graphite – the perfect specifications for this bass fishing presentation. 

The rod’s sensitivity is pretty good, allowing you to feel bites easier.

The guides have been strategically placed to ensure maximum accuracy and sensitivity. The guides’ corrosion resistance is impressive, so they should last many years. 

With that said, this rod is expensive, though you’re mostly paying for the name. You can find rods as good for cheaper, so this rod isn’t necessarily our favorite. 

We did find this rod to be pretty durable. There are very few reports of it breaking, which isn’t necessarily true with the other rods we reviewed.

St. Croix Rods Premier Spinning Rod

Specs

• Brand: St. Croix
• Material: Graphite
• Size: 7’

Pros:

• Graphite construction for a lighter weight and added durability
• Sensitive rod allows you to feel bites easily
• Corrosion-resistant guide add accuracy to your cast

Cons:

• Expensive

Why We Chose It

This St. Croix ned rig rod is quite popular, especially in bass fishing. It’s one of the most popularly recommended rods on the internet. 

It’s made with carbon, which is solid and flexible. The cork handle provides a comfortable grip for your fishing rod. The Fortified Resin system provides some extra strength and durability. 

Like most fishing rods, this one features aluminum guide rings for an easy cast. 

This fishing rod is 7’, which we recommend for the ned rig technique. However, other sizes are available, too. 

With that said, this rod is very fragile. It’s incredibly lightweight, which probably contributes. However, it doesn’t withstand the same abuse that older rods withstood. 

The tip guides seem to be less-than-durable, specifically. However, these can easily be glued back on, though this is a bit disappointing given the cost of the product.

How I Chose the Best Ned Rig Rods

Choosing a ned rig rod may seem complicated for beginner bass anglers. However, the process is pretty straightforward. Here are some of the factors I considered when rating each rod:

Material

In my opinion, the material isn’t that important when considering a rod. Most rods are made with quality material and catch fish. Otherwise, the companies go out of business pretty quickly. 

For the ned rig presentation, you need a finesse rod. Preferably, a rod should be made out of a rigid material. Therefore, graphite and carbon fiber work best, but they have a few differences. 

Graphite is more expensive and lighter but tends to be less durable. I noticed graphite rods are prone to microfractures, especially when hit on the side. These can cause catastrophic failure. 

If you opt for a graphite rod, I would highly recommend grabbing a case and being a bit more careful with it.

On the other hand, carbon fiber is very stiff, so it transmits vibrations well. It’s heavier than graphite, but it’s also more durable. I prefer carbon fiber because of its durability as I can be tough on my rods.

Sensitivity

The ned rig technique requires a lot of finesse. You can’t strong-arm it. Instead, you need a rod with plenty of sensitivity to feel the bait. This is another reason why I prefer and recommend a carbon fiber rod, as they’re extremely sensitive. 

For a rod to be sensitive, it has to be very stiff. A flexible rod moves too much to feel the tiny movements of the rig.

You need to feel the bottom of the body of water, including every wiggle of the soft plastic, and bump against a rock. 

You should be able to feel a 1/16-ounce jig head when you turn the handle. 

Sadly, sensitive and heavy just don’t go together. You’ll have to give up on the power to get the sensitivity you need. 

You want a medium-light to medium rod made with sensitivity in mind. Luckily, these still allow you to pull in sizable bass. But they aren’t as effective when using hard hooksets. 

If you’re fishing in heavy cover, a medium rod is going to be your best option, as you must haul the fish out of cover.

Size

You’ll want a longer rod for the ned rig technique to provide extra accuracy and casting distance. For most men, this means a rod between 7’ to 7’6”. As a smaller woman, I stick to a 7’ maximum. I’m just too small for a longer rod to be controllable. 

Consider your size and the typical rod you use when selecting a rod size. Most of the rods I reviewed above come in different sizes, so feel free to adjust as necessary. 

Longer rods do mean a longer range, though. A 7’6” rod will allow you to cast a Senko on a Ned head across the lake if needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Ned rig is my favorite rig for targeting bass in most situations. The best ned rig rod is one that’s light and sensitive, as it allows you to feel every bump and nibble.

As a finesse technique, this presentation requires some knowledge and work on your part. It’s an active form of finesse fishing. Other fishing techniques may work better for those that want a less active form of fishing.

Do you have a favorite ned rig rod that didn’t appear on this list? I’ve used quite a few but love feedback!

Let me know your favorites and why in the comment section below.

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