FISHING: Nuclear Ned

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nuclear Ned

Mad Scientist Tackle coats Ned Head Jig with brilliant UV coatings to achieve maximum radiance

FINLAYSON, MN (July 7, 2025) – Bass fishing hasn’t been the same since legendary tackle-tinkerer and notorious fishing journal-keeper, Ned Kehde, introduced the world to the “Ned Rig.” Originally a truncated plastic worm affixed to Gopher jig head, the bait has evolved over the years and there are now myriad soft plastic shapes being fished on variations of that original jighead.

Yes, hats off to the overall Midwest Finesse Fishing movement for this fish-catching alternative to big baits and power fishing. Hats off to Z-Man, too, for providing the Ned Rig with a buoyant plastic body, which is prerequisite to achieving that upright Neddyness when stationed on the bottom.

The second baseline for Ned effectiveness is employing a perfectly architected finesse jighead. The shape of its head needs to accommodate landing at different angles without rolling over – basically, a mushroom configuration. Moreover, a bonafide Ned jig must sport a fine and hazardously sharp hook with a reliable baitholder.

NED HEAD (1/16-ounce/PINK Coating Black Basecoat)

NED HEAD (1/8-ounce/GREEN Coating Black Basecoat)

Sure, reputable Ned-style jigheads are widely available, but Mad Scientist Tackle has upped the ante with specially-coated jigs that are seen in any water clarity and by fish from afar. The company’s distinctive APEX Vision coatings replicate the reflection real minnows and other critters emit, a game-changer on pressured waters and for whoppers that have seen it all.

Anglers can choose between six colors: red, blue, green, gold, pink, and natural for the highest possible visibility in the visible, UV and infrared light spectrums. Currently available in 1/16- and 1/8-ounce, the Mad Scientist Tackle Ned Head Jig is the perfect weaponry for swimming, gliding, shaking, hop and bounce, or drag and deadstick cadences—whether you’re pitching smallies or chasing largemouths—or any species, for that matter!

“The Ned Rig is a fish-catching phenomenon, with more and more anglers fishing the jigging system all the time,” said Mad Scientist Tackle Sales Director and diehard angler, Patrick Kalmerton. “So, we knew we had to offer our APEX Vision coating in a super-sharp and well-built Ned Jig, too. It was a no-brainer.”

“What you get from our jigs is added visibility in all water conditions,” continued Kalmerton. “Not only are these jigs great for the clear waters where Ned’s typically get fished, we’ve also opened the door for fishing them in more turbid waters with the availability of the jig in eye-popping APEX Vision coating colors like green, red, blue, gold, and pink—besides natural for all around use.”

Kalmerton concluded: “Whether you’re fishing a Ned worm, craw, or some variation, the Mad Scientist Ned Head is the perfect building block for a great day on the water. The angler testimonials have been positive—everything from farm pond largemouth bass to Great Lakes smallies—and even some walleye and inshore saltwater guys who’ve adapted the Ned into their program.”

Ultimately, whether you’re a greenhorn or seasoned pro, the Mad Scientist Ned Head is a must-have for every tacklebox. Think a change in jig head color and coating can make a difference? From the remarkable results we keep hearing—yes, it can!

GOLD/Black Basecoat

RED/Black Basecoat

BLUE/Black Basecoat

NATURAL/Black Basecoat

Ned Head FEATURES:

• Crucial mushroom-shaped head
• Versatile for any Ned jigging cadence or environment
• Extra sharp high-carbon steel hook
• Perfect for blending with any Ned-friendly soft plastic bait
• Available in two sizes and six APEX Vision color coatings
• 3 jigheads per pack

MSRP: $8.99

About APEX Vision Colors: Made For the Way Fish See

All Mad Scientist Tackle baits start off as either nude, pearl, or black base lures that are then customized through a multistage process whereby they end up in an APEX Vision coating, which radiate color in the visible, UV, and infrared spectrums, mimicking real baitfish scales and making it highly visible to predatory fish. Available colors include red, blue, green, gold, pink, natural, and cisco-colored, which is designed to mimic pelagic baitfish and radiates UV light farther than any of the company’s other coatings. And for some baits – like select topwaters and Ghost Shad – you can also choose the pattern in shadow or holographic scale application, finetuning the look.

The novel coatings were developed to appeal to the way fish see, creating flashing iridescent colors in visible, UV, and infrared spectrums that attract fish from farther than ever.

Here are recommendations for when to use each APEX Vision color:

APEX +RED: Proven to entice reaction bites, Apex +RED imitates bleeding baitfish so perfectly that predatory fish can’t resist. It’s also the best choice for fishing in the green, algae blooms of late summer.

APEX +BLUE: In stained to dark water, APEX +BLUE outperforms other colors. Thanks to the iridescent flash of the lure, fish see it in stained to murky water conditions with low light.

APEX +GREEN: One of the best colors on any body of water, APEX +GREEN resembles young-of-the-year and other baitfish. It works best in spring and summer in clear and stained water.

APEX +GOLD: Gold is a standard in every angler’s arsenal, but APEX +GOLD has brought fishing to a whole new level. It resembles a school of baitfish/minnows and is a great choice year ‘round in any water color.

APEX +PINK: One of the most popular colors to attract predator fish from a distance. It works well in clear and stained water conditions.

APEX +NATURAL: Resembles crayfish and gives off a more natural presentation, especially when fishing near rocks. It performs well in clear and stained water.

About Mad Scientist Tackle

Born from the technologically advanced loins of RVLNT eyewear, Mad Scientist Tackle was created to help anglers catch more fish. How? We use the science of light to make innovative products. It starts with RESEARCH. We keep our eyes peeled to discover what lures are being used and loved by anglers like you. Secondly, there’s our proprietary COATING. Using our secret lure coating process, we can reflect light in a way that’s natural like real baitfish scales, which fish cannot resist. Yes, our baits are scientifically proven to catch more fish, besides exhaustive and successful field testing. All Mad Scientist lures have been tested by professional anglers in professional tournaments. We have no doubt that after experiencing the madness of our baits on the water, you will also be convinced!

Mad Scientist Tackle is proud to be based in rural America and veteran owned and operated.

CONTACT:

Noel Vick

Traditions Media

noel@traditionsmedia.com