I’m late to the ned rig bite but now sold am in the market for a dedicated ned rod. I’ll be fishing shallower rivers with moderate current. I’ll mostly fish 1/20 and 1/15 ounce jig heads. 
 

I am eyeing the shimano Expride A in light+ but wondering if it’s worth waiting on the release of the B model.

 

Any rod suggestions would be appreciated and feedback on the Expride A models.

 

thanks 

 

Something under 6-3 would be phenomenal for me.

Considering you’re fishing in current I’d skip the light+ and go to a medium or at least a medium-light at a minimum. I use the expride 6’10” ml and fish 3 lbs+ can be a handful even in open water much less in current. Their medium rod is offered in 6’8”m/xf and 7’0”m/f, Ned himself uses short medium power rods.

i fish the housatonic river in ct. and i have 3 light action( fury, curado and phenix) rods i will use in rotation all have the the diawa regal 1000 reel attached and use 1/15 ned head and trd or ticklrz almost exclusively. if you are looking for the most fun ( i am ), this setup is the ticket (imo) and will handle the 4+ lb smb that will end up hooked on occasion to the 10-15" smb that are the mainstay for me on this river system.

 

prior to using the light action rods i used ml action but wanted a little more "thrill" than these rods provided. i have a VERY small rate of lost fish( 1-2% ?) with the l rods.

 

the river is about 150' across with fast current in spots and is and i'm guessing here maybe 4' deep on average and 6-8' deep as its deepest average . 

I am bound to the bank or my canoe.

 

I recently picked up a Daiwa Rebellion 6'8" ML-F rated for 3/32-1/2oz and it fishes finesse style very well, mainly Ned rigs. Sensitive, comfortable, and has enough backbone to bring them in but a nice soft tip that is remarkable sensitive. And the rod is super light weight. Balances perfect with a Stradic FL 2500.

Most any 6'10" ~ 7'3" ML / fast action spinning rod with a 2500 series spinning reel , 10 lb. braid + #6 lb. ~ #8 lb. FC leader . 

14 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

Considering you’re fishing in current I’d skip the light+ and go to a medium or at least a medium-light at a minimum. I use the expride 6’10” ml and fish 3 lbs+ can be a handful even in open water much less in current. Their medium rod is offered in 6’8”m/xf and 7’0”m/f, Ned himself uses short medium power rods.

I have a st croix premier ml and it seems to do pretty well with Neds the few times I used it

13 hours ago, leinad said:

i fish the housatonic river in ct. and i have 3 light action( fury, curado and phenix) rods i will use in rotation all have the the diawa regal 1000 reel attached and use 1/15 ned head and trd or ticklrz almost exclusively. if you are looking for the most fun ( i am ), this setup is the ticket (imo) and will handle the 4+ lb smb that will end up hooked on occasion to the 10-15" smb that are the mainstay for me on this river system.

 

prior to using the light action rods i used ml action but wanted a little more "thrill" than these rods provided. i have a VERY small rate of lost fish( 1-2% ?) with the l rods.

 

the river is about 150' across with fast current in spots and is and i'm guessing here maybe 4' deep on average and 6-8' deep as its deepest average . 

I have a light action phenix. I think it’s 6’10” and camo colored. I used it a couple time but it’s tip was too soft for fluke styled lures to get a good hook set. If you have success with it for ned I may give it a try for ned rigs on my next trip

5 hours ago, Creek Chub 1 said:

I have a st croix premier ml and it seems to do pretty well with Neds the few times I used it

I have a light action phenix. I think it’s 6’10” and camo colored. I used it a couple time but it’s tip was too soft for fluke styled lures to get a good hook set. If you have success with it for ned I may give it a try for ned rigs on my next trip

i have the phenix m1 6'9" light