Ned Rig Fishing on Grand Traverse Bay
Grand Traverse Bay · Michigan · Midwest
This iconic Michigan fishery is characterized by its vast, cold, and ultra-clear waters, supporting a robust population of smallmouth bass. Anglers encounter everything from shallow rock flats to dramatic deepwater ledges, making it a challenging yet highly rewarding destination.
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 Grand Traverse Bay
| 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 Grand Traverse Bay
Lake: Smallmouth move onto shallower flats and rocky points in 5-20 feet as water temperatures rise, often responding well to jerkbaits and tube jigs.
Ned Rig: Deadly on pre-spawn fish holding on gravel and pea-gravel flats in 4–12 feet.
Lake: Bass primarily inhabit deeper structure, congregating on offshore humps, ledges, and transition zones in 25-50 feet, making drop shot and football jigs highly effective.
Ned Rig: Work deeper rock piles and main lake points. Drag slowly, let it stand. Green pumpkin and watermelon dominate.
Lake: Smallmouth follow baitfish into creek mouths and bays, utilizing sharp breaks and deep points in 15-40 feet, with reaction baits like crankbaits and swimbaits producing well.
Ned Rig: One of the best techniques as fish get finicky before winter. Match shad colors on sandy/gravel bottom.
Lake: The fishery remains open water in many areas, with a highly challenging bite focused on ultra-slow presentations for deep, suspended smallmouth in 40+ feet.
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 Grand Traverse Bay
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