Just curious as to the consensus here on Ned rigs. Are the mushroom heads essential? Do you see any noticeable difference with a TRD vs a cut senko? 

The new Owner Block Head Jig Head may be the best of the ned rig options out right now.

It's been very good for me.

https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/blockhead/

Available at many retailers.

A-Jay

 

I've found better results with the elaztech TRD. I glue them to the jig head and they last as long as the jig. Extremely durable especially compared to a real Senko. 20 to 50 fish is easy if you don't lose it first. Because TRDs float, they stand up on the bottom especially if you use the mushroom head. The Senkos will lay down. I'd never use a senko or a sinking plastic for Ned rigs. There are dozens of other worms that don't sink. You are going to get it to sink by using a jig. A buoyant or floating plastic will slow the fall (like a senko does by itself) which will help get more bites.

Jighead shape doesn't really matter, the mushroom shaped ones just sit nicely on top of the baits. The Zman baits are the way to go imo. A single bag can catch you a couple hundred fish if you're not losing them to snags regularly. 

Do-it makes a jig mold called the Midwest finesse jig mold.  Basically, just a knock off of the zman jig hook for trd.  So as long as you are using the zman plastic the Midwest jig hook would act just like mushroom head jig from zman?  I’ve been interested in the mold but, I wasn’t sure if it would act the same way as the original. 

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Jighead shape doesn't really matter, the mushroom shaped ones just sit nicely on top of the baits. The Zman baits are the way to go imo. A single bag can catch you a couple hundred fish if you're not losing them to snags regularly. 

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^ 

 

I don't fish the ned rig a lot, but it's about the best thing going for rock bass, which at times are a fun and action filled distraction when largemouth or smallmouth are not biting, and it's a great way to teach kids to "bass fish".

 

last night I had one rigged up and caught a dozen smallmouth, three largemouth, and 50 rock bass........on one bait.

I have used several different head types.  They all work but I bought the Midwest Finesse mold.  After some mods it is all I use now as I can make heads with quality hooks for about 20% of the going price which is good since I fish lots of rocky places and go through several each trip.

For plastics I am rather quickly moving away form Zman stuff for Ned rigging. This year the smallest size of the Keitech Crazy flapper and the rage baby menace have been my go to baits. I just got sick of dealing with two styles of plastic in my shore fishing bag is the biggest reason I would say I have used the Zman stuff less. Will likely use it in the boat more.

 

For heads my 2 favorite are the Siebert Morels and Northland 1/16 ounce fireball (short shanked wide gap hook) that pairs well with cut Zinkerz and other stick baits.