Even when fishing conditions aren’t optimal, this small bait still gets bites from largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. It can even lead to plenty of accidental bycatch. No matter where you fish ...

While a vertical presentation is the go-to technique when fishing a jighead minnow, Gustafson’s Classic win showcased the rig’s versatility, as he caught several of his fish by pitching to them.

“The Ned rig has a certain low profile, size and sensitivity that really works in the Niagara River,” says the operator of the Brookdog Fishing Company.

Balog’s drop shot rigs consist of a No. 1 Gamakatsu hook tied to 6-pound test fluorocarbon line using a Palomar knot to make the hook stand straight out from the line with the point up.

How to fish this rig is limited only by one's imagination. Cast it into a ball of bait, throw it across and down stream and let it swing, tie it to a sinking line and explore the depths.