Using a Ned Rig to Capitalize on Midwinter Bass
Keith Lusher 01.29.24
With the recent Arctic Blast that blew through Southeast Louisiana, bass anglers who choose to go fishing may have to adjust their technique to suit the colder temperatures. Corey LaBostrie of Lacombe, LA has made that adjustment and it’s paying dividends in Bayou Lacombe. “When the water temperatures are in the upper 40s I know it’s a Ned Rig kind of day,” LaBostrie said.
On his last trip, he launched his boat on a cold morning that saw temperatures in the 20s. Labostrie fished the main canal along the drop-offs and started catching bass, however, the fish were a bit on the small side. “The first 10 bass I caught I was only able to keep one,” he said. LaBostrie was using a 1/6 oz. Ned Lock jig head made by Z-Man. “I like these Ned Lock hooks because they are a lot tougher. I can hold a redfish…I can hold a big catfish…and I can hold a big bass without it stripping out,” he said.
When fishing with a Ned Rig, LaBostrie uses a 4-inch Z-Man Finesse Worm in the Junebug color. “Year in and year out I catch the majority of my bass during the winter with this set-up,” he said. I just jig it slow, and they were picking it up. I like this Ned Rig set-up with the exposed hook because sometimes you won’t even feel the bite so it’s easier to hook them,” he said. LaBostrie slowly raises his rod which lifts the bait off of the bottom. He said sometimes you don’t even need to move the bait. “That jig head will stand straight up making that worm stand up as well. The presentation is one of a kind when that worm stands up on the bottom,” LaBostrie said. After catching numerous small bass his luck changed as he made his way south on the bayou. LaBostrie is an admitted “Meat Fisherman” and was able to bring home a 10-fish limit of what he refers to as “Groceries.” Oh yeah…there were a few that made the grocery list today,”
