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By Louie Stout

Kayak and Ned rig make for a fun day on water.Kayak and Ned rig make for a fun day on water.

One of the problems with growing old as fishermen is we get narrow minded and reluctant to try new things.

It often takes a persistent friend to convince us to let go of preconceived notions and try something a little radical.

Dave Mull is one of those friends who wouldn’t take no for answer.

Mull, a fellow outdoors writer and the kayak columnist for Bassmaster Magazine, has badgered me for two years to try fishing from a kayak. I’ve resisted, primarily because the notion of being cramped in plastic bugg so close to the water sounds risky. My agility isn’t what it used to be.

But the dude wouldn’t give up.

“I’ve got a new method of fishing that catches an incredible number of bass,” he told me. “If you go with me in a kayak, I’ll show you.”

He found my weak spot. I gave in.

We met at Cory Lake west of Three Rivers, Mich. one weekday morning in April and launched Dave’s pair of kayaks. He put me in his Cadillac model, a 14-foot Hobie Pro Angler powered by Mirage Drive while he fished from a smaller version.

Getting in this thing was tricky, and it took a few minutes to get the hang of it, especially the pedaling aspect that serves as manpower. After adjusting, it proved to be far more comfortable than anticipated, and being that close to the water offered a whole new perspective to fishing.

The fact I didn’t flip the darn thing over speaks volumes as to how stable the Hobie is.

The bass catching technique he shared was equally impressive. It’s called a “Ned Rig,” a stubby soft-plastic bait fashioned on a 1/16th ounce jig head.

“Ned Rig,” a stubby soft-plastic bait fashioned on a 1/16th ounce jig head.“Ned Rig,” a stubby soft-plastic bait fashioned on a 1/16th ounce jig head.

His bait is a 2.75-inch Z-Man T.R.D. (The Real Deal), made of stretchy Elaz-Tech, a durable yet soft-plastic plastic material.

I had early doubts; the bait has essentially no action – until it hits the water. It’s fished on spinning tackle and light line and can be either wound slowly back to the boat or dragged on bottom. Either way, it resembles a minnow or a small bottom creature, something that bass apparently can’t resist.

We only fished for a few hours but the Ned Rigs produced a couple dozen small bass and a few pike. And while the fish weren’t huge, playing them on light tackle and at eye level was a lot of fun.

I haven’t been back in kayak, but I have been playing with the Ned Rig and it certainly catches fish of all types. In addition to bass and pike, the little morsel attracts incidental catches of crappies and bluegills as well.

Although the Z-Man version is long lasting and durable, you can make your own by cutting a stick worm (like a Senko) in half and gluing it onto the mushroom jig head. The lighter the jig the better, but you can adjust the weight based upon the depth of water you’re fishing.

We’re not ready to add a kayak to our fishing flotilla at the Stout residence, but it sure piqued my interest.

And the Ned Rig? It’s one of those nifty tricks I’ve added to the tackle box when my favorites aren’t getting the job done.

JBLP

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