Ned Rig Fishing on Cordell Hull Lake
Cordell Hull Lake · Tennessee · Southeast
This impoundment is characterized by steep, rocky shorelines, bluff walls, and significant current influence from the Cumberland River. While smallmouth bass are highly sought after, solid populations of largemouth also thrive in specific pockets and creek arms, offering diverse angling opportunities.
Ned Rig pairs a 3–4" ElaZtech-style floating plastic (TRD, Finesse TRD, or similar) on a 1/15–1/6 oz mushroom head jig. The bait's buoyancy causes it to stand upright on the bottom, creating a subtle action that triggers bites when nothing else will. Exceptional on hard bottom, gravel, and rock.
Ned Rig Setup for Cordell Hull Lake
| Rod | 6'10"–7'2" medium-light spinning rod, moderate-fast action |
| Reel | 2500 size spinning reel |
| Line | 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluorocarbon leader |
| Weight | 1/15–1/6 oz mushroom jig head (Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ or similar) |
| Hook | Size 1 or 1/0 wide gap, built into jig head |
Seasonal Tactics on Cordell Hull Lake
Lake: Smallmouth move to rocky points and transition areas in late winter and early spring, with jerkbaits and suspending crankbaits producing well as water temps rise into the 50s. The spawn pushes fish into protected pockets where jigs and soft plastics are effective.
Ned Rig: Deadly on pre-spawn fish holding on gravel and pea-gravel flats in 4–12 feet.
Lake: Bass primarily relate to deeper main lake structure, current seams, and ledges at depths of 15-30 feet. Deep crankbaits, football jigs, and drop shots are key for targeting fish near the thermocline and active current.
Ned Rig: Work deeper rock piles and main lake points. Drag slowly, let it stand. Green pumpkin and watermelon dominate.
Lake: Shad migrations into tributary arms and creek channels ignite schooling activity. Anglers find success with topwater baits, swimbaits, and lipless crankbaits around surfacing baitfish and predatory bass.
Ned Rig: One of the best techniques as fish get finicky before winter. Match shad colors on sandy/gravel bottom.
Lake: Lethargic bass often hold in deep water, 25-45 feet, along channel swings and bluff ends. Suspending jerkbaits with extremely long pauses, vertical jigging spoons, and Ned rigs worked slowly are the most productive approaches.
Ned Rig: Best cold-water finesse technique after drop shot. Extremely slow drag on hard bottom near deep structure.
Best Conditions
Clear water, hard and rocky bottoms, post-cold-front, heavily pressured fish, any season except peak summer spawn
Use Z-Man ElaZtech plastics exclusively — they float and are nearly indestructible. Regular soft plastics sink and kill the technique.
More Techniques for Cordell Hull Lake
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