Ned Rig Fishing on Mullett Lake
Mullett Lake · Michigan · Midwest
This expansive northern Michigan lake is a deep, clear-water fishery characterized by significant structural diversity, including abrupt drop-offs, extensive sand flats, and numerous rocky reefs. Mullett Lake is renowned for its strong populations of smallmouth bass and northern pike, with walleye and musky also present.
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 Mullett 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 Mullett Lake
Lake: In spring, smallmouth bass transition from deep wintering grounds to shallower rocky points and sand flats, often congregating in 8-15 feet as water temperatures approach 50 degrees, readily taking jerkbaits and tube baits.
Ned Rig: Deadly on pre-spawn fish holding on gravel and pea-gravel flats in 4–12 feet.
Lake: During summer, bass typically move to deeper main lake structure like ledges, humps, and isolated rock piles in 20-40 feet, keying on thermoclines and schools of cisco, making drop shots and football jigs effective.
Ned Rig: Work deeper rock piles and main lake points. Drag slowly, let it stand. Green pumpkin and watermelon dominate.
Lake: Fall patterns see smallmouth bass schooling up and aggressively feeding on baitfish in preparation for winter, often suspending over deep water or relating to channel swings and deep points in 15-30 feet, responding well to underspins and larger swimbaits.
Ned Rig: One of the best techniques as fish get finicky before winter. Match shad colors on sandy/gravel bottom.
Lake: Winter fishing, predominantly through the ice, targets deep rock piles and structure where smallmouth, walleye, and pike can be found, with jigging spoons and live bait being primary presentations in depths ranging from 20 to 50 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 Mullett Lake
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