I’ve fished Ned’s pretty extensively.  I can say I’ve lost hundreds😂 I use heads custom made because of their strength for such a small size.  I’ve caught 5lb smallmouth, 6lb largemouth, 12lb Snakeheads and even a monster blue cat and have never broken of even straightened a hook.  The weed guard is a steel cable but in my experience, it hasn’t helped with grass or wood considering how many I lose.  I’ve tried the offset versions and would rather fish a slider head made by the same guy who makes my Ned’s 

I had terrible luck with the ones that have the flimsy weed guard wire on them.

 

I personally think that if you are fishing around a lot of vegetation, an exposed hook is bound to get hung up.  For this reason, I simply switch to a Texas-style rig instead.  Which begs the question, when does a setup go from a ned rig to a Texas rig?  When the hook is buried in the plastic?  That's my position.

 

Also, the original ned rig jig heads are terrible.  They are made of very light wire hooks and they bend easily.  I lost some nice fish because of this when I started using them a decade ago.  My suggestion is to use ones that are more durable with heavier gauge hooks unless you want them to bend out.

18 minutes ago, gim said:

I had terrible luck with the ones that have the flimsy weed guard wire on them.

 

I personally think that if you are fishing around a lot of vegetation, an exposed hook is bound to get hung up.  For this reason, I simply switch to a Texas-style rig instead.  Which begs the question, when does a setup go from a ned rig to a Texas rig?  When the hook is buried in the plastic?  That's my position.

 

Also, the original ned rig jig heads are terrible.  They are made of very light wire hooks and they bend easily.  I lost some nice fish because of this when I started using them a decade ago.  My suggestion is to use ones that are more durable with heavier gauge hooks unless you want them to bend out.

Yup that was my original issue, couple of lakes I fish have lots of brush vs rock and exposed hook not going to cut it. I have been told that there are thicker #1 hooks that will work and that is what I am going to try.

And just let me add, one wrong move rigging your bait and that cable weed guard has a bead sight lock for going right underneath your fingernail.  That is a pain that is right at the top of the list and it lasts for days if not weeks.  😡😱