Best Ned Rig Baits & Colors

Collection of ned rig baits on white background

Ned rigs are one of the most consistent techniques for catching bass. In tough winter conditions it is often one of the few that will still get bites. Below you will find my favorite trailers that I have had success with over the years.

Best Ned Rig Worms

1. Z-Man TRD TicklerZ

Pack of Zman TRD TicklerZ in Canada Craw color

The TRD TicklerZ is my current favorite ned rig bait. It is similar to the original Finesse TRD but has 4 small appendages on the top. These appendages don’t look like much out of the water but underwater they add a lot of action.

Traditionally ned rigs don’t have much action and you don’t want to work them too much. You cast them out, let the bait sink to the bottom, and slowly hop it back.

The TRD TicklerZ does a great job at adding some action without going overboard and killing the benefits of the ned rig. This bait is also made of ElaZtech and should be stored separately from your other soft plastics.

Colors: Canada Craw

Warning: Z-Man ElaZtech plastic baits will melt other soft plastics if they are stored together. Keep ElaZtech baits in their own original packaging for storage.

2. Robo Worm Ned Worm

Pack of 3" Roboworm Ned Worms in Margarita Mutilator color

The Robo Worm is very similar in shape as the Finesse TRD but it has a lot of salt in it. The salt adds a little extra weight to the bait so it will lay down more than the Finesse TRD. The salt also give the bait a slight flavor which tends to help keep bass from spitting out baits as fast. This gives you a little more time to detect the bite and set the hook. Robo Worm also has a great color selection.

Colors: Margarita Mutilator

3. XZone Ned Zone

Pack of Xzone 3" Ned Zone in Green Pumpkin Purple color

The Ned Zone follows the standard ned worm shape but has a bulbed tail. This bulbed tail produces much more movement underwater than the previous baits mentioned. For this reason, the Ned Zone is more of a warm-weather finesse bait and can be fished a little faster. It is excellent for catching fish when the bite gets tough on pressured lakes. Avoid this bait completely during colder months.

Colors: Green Pumpkin Purple

4. Missile Baits Ned Bomb

Pack of Missile Bait's Ned Bomb in PB&J color

The Ned Bomb is another great ned worm that is slightly different from the standard ned design. The Ned Bomb features a small beaver-style tail. This tail gives the bait a very subtle action and movement in the water. It has been a great fish producer for me over the last few seasons and is currently my go-to ned worm.

Colors: Green Pumpkin, PB&J

5. Z-Man Finesse TRD

Pack of Finesse TRD in Green Pumpkin color

The Z-Man Finesse TRD is the original ned rig worm that started it all. It is a 3″ stick worm made of ElaZtech plastic. The ElaZtech makes the bait super durable and stretchy which allows you to use the same bait for multiple bites. You can increase the durability further by adding a drop of super glue to the ned head as you rig the worm on. This will keep the worm from sliding on the hook.

Colors: Green Pumpkin

Warning: ElaZtech plastic baits will melt other soft plastics if they are stored together. Keep ElaZtech baits in their own original packaging for storage.

Best Ned Rig Craw & Creature Baits

1. Z-Man TRD CrawZ

Pack of Zman TRD CrawZ in Delta Green Pumpkin color

The TRD CrawZ moves away from worm-style baits and introduces craw styles to the ned rig. This bait has buoyant claws that swing around when being worked and float up when paused. This looks very natural and mimics a crawfish’s natural defensive posture.

Colors: TW Delta Green Pumpkin

2. Z-Man TRD BugZ

Pack of Zman TRD BugZ in California Craw color

The TRD BugZ is Z-Man’s beaver-style ned bait. At just 2.75″ it is perfect for anglers looking for a downsized creature bait. Like larger beaver style soft plastics the BugZ has a nice subtle glide as it falls which often triggers a bite before it even hits bottom.

Colors: California Craw

Warning: Z-Man ElaZtech plastic baits will melt other soft plastics if they are stored together. Keep ElaZtech baits in their own original packaging for storage.

Best Ned Rig Bait Colors

When choosing colors for ned worms I like to keep it as natural as possible. I’ve found that green pumpkin, goby, and craw colors are the best. I tend to start with these three then dial into what works best depending on the body of water.

Bonus Tip: When rigging your soft plastics put a little super glue on the ned head and slide the worm all the way down. This will increase the durability and make your baits go a long way.

For recommendations and to learn what sizes are best read our guide on ned rig heads