Ep. 72: Joseph Leduff on Ned Rigs, Dragon Tail & the Sand Bass Closure Petition

Guest: Joseph Leduff | Hosts: Daniel Dahlin ([FISH]rx), El Charly, Luke Dean (Bait Slingers / Artemis Charters)

Joseph Leduff — So Los Angeles Angler — brought a specific and technique-heavy conversation to Episode 72, recorded live on February 4, 2025. The Ned rig in saltwater, why EWG-style heads outperform traditional flat Ned heads for inshore presentations, how to rig the Dragon Tail to ride the hook up in current, and a significant update on the sand bass spawn closure petition working through the Fish and Game Commission.

In This Episode

• EWG-style Ned rig head — Joseph’s preference over traditional flat Ned heads for SoCal inshore: the EWG hook keeps the bait weedless and the head-heavy balance allows the bait to stand up at rest. Traditional Ned heads with weed guards tend to catch rocks more than they deflect structure. The EWG approach cleaner for inshore use
• Dragon Tail rigged weedless in current — Daniel’s note from experience: in moving current, rigging the Dragon Tail with the hook a little higher up the body helps the bait ride correctly rather than spinning or torquing. The weedless presentation allowing fishing in structure that a standard lead head can’t penetrate
• Winter calico behavior — Joseph was on calico the night before, plus a suspended sand bass caught mid-column rather than on the bottom. The winter pattern of calico holding shallower and sand bass suspending being an observation worth noting
• Sand bass spawn closure petition — a petition working through the California Fish and Game Commission to add spawn aggregation protections for sand bass. Agenda item number 23. The petition comparing current spawn aggregations against 1980s data to make the case for intervention. An important regulatory development for anyone who fishes SoCal inshore
• Calico hearing bait noise through kelp — Joseph and his buddies observed a calico boil as the crankbait worked through kelp on the other side of the structure. The fish can hear the noise of the bait before they can see it. The calico’s ability to locate prey by sound in low-visibility structure
• Waterman’s Collective and custom [FISH]rx rods — Grant at Waterman’s had been building custom rods including [FISH]rx-branded rods. The rod building side of the community partnership ecosystem

Beyond the Rod & Reel with Joseph Leduff

The sand bass closure update is the most significant community-relevant content in this episode. If the petition succeeds, spawn aggregation closures for sand bass would change when and where people can legally fish in SoCal during spring. The comparison to 1980s aggregation data is the scientific basis. Whether you agree with the petition or not, knowing it’s in progress matters.

The EWG Ned head discussion is practically useful for anyone fishing soft plastics inshore. The traditional Ned head is designed for fresh water, flat-bottom presentations in clear lakes. The EWG adaptation solves for the things SoCal inshore anglers actually need: weedless entry into structure, bait-standing posture at rest, and a hook that clears instead of catching rocks.

Watch the full episode on the Time On The Water YouTube channel. New episodes every Tuesday at 6 PM.