Pre-Spawn Ned Rig Smallmouth Fishing – Cast-to-Catch

Pre-spawn smallmouth fishing can be all about intercepting fish before they commit shallow, and this 5.73 lb St. Lawrence River tank was set up exactly where you’d expect a big one to be. Holding deep off a lead-up point near a spawning flat, this fish ate a Ned rig after a clean cast and controlled bottom presentation.

Pre-Spawn Smallmouth Positioning

Big smallmouth rarely rush straight onto spawning flats. Most of the better fish stage nearby first, especially around deeper transition areas that give them quick access to both feeding and spawning zones. In this case, the fish were sitting deeper off the edge of a lead-up point connected directly to the flat.

Why the Ned Rig Worked

When pre-spawn fish are grouped tightly and holding near bottom, a Ned rig keeps the bait in the strike zone without forcing too much action. The slower, natural presentation let the bait stay in front of the fish long enough to trigger the bite.

Cast-to-Catch Breakdown

This clip shows the full sequence from cast to hookset, including where the fish was positioned and how the Ned rig was worked through the zone. Sometimes the biggest pre-spawn bites come from slowing down and keeping the bait in contact with the structure instead of overworking it.

Gear Used

Ned Rig Setup:
Rod: 6’3” M-H St. Croix Avid Series
Reel: Daiwa Tatula 2500
Line: 6 lb Sunline FC Sniper Fluorocarbon
Lure: Z-Man Ned Rig (Yoga Pants)
Jig Head: 1/8 oz Freestyle Jig Head

Camera: GoPro Hero 12 Black
Fishing Location: St. Lawrence River, NY
Conditions: Pre-spawn transition staging fish
Fish Weight: 5.73 lbs