“Ned vs. Neko”: A Kansas Showdown That Casts Light on Finesse Fishing’s Past, Present, and Future.

On August 23, Lone Star Lake became the proving ground for two finesse fishing legends: Ned Kehde, the godfather of the Ned Rig, and Marty Hughes, a kayak fishing guide and Neko rig specialist known as “Kayakjak.” Hosted by Kansas Kayak Anglers, the “Ned vs. Neko” event was more than a friendly competition; it was a living seminar, a historical reckoning, and a celebration of the subtle art of catching fish with less.

The day began with a light drizzle and glassy water, ideal conditions for finesse. Kehde and Hughes launched at 8:10 a.m., joined by Austin Applegate and Tony Boyden, who filmed the action from a kayak and boat. Kehde fished with his signature setup: a 5'4" Drew’s Ultimate Ned Rig Rod, Daiwa reel, and 4–6 lb. braid with a fluorocarbon leader. His bait of choice? A Z-Man Finesse WormZ or 2.5" ZinkerZ on a red ShroomZ jighead, often with the barb pinched to reduce harm to fish.

Hughes countered with a Green Pumpkin Big TRD rigged Neko-style: a dragonfly-colored button head weight, Trokar TK 150 drop shot hook, and a Snyder Sleeve to keep the bait intact. His rig was designed for precision and power, using a 7'2" medium-fast rod and Shimano Vanford reel.

By 8:15 a.m., Hughes had landed a 21-inch bass. Kehde followed minutes later with a hookup of his own. Over four hours, the group caught 52 bass, plus sunfish, catfish, and even a massive carp that tore line from Hughes’ reel before escaping.

Later that afternoon, Great Blue Heron Outdoors hosted a seminar that felt more like a masterclass in oral history. Kehde, now 85, traced the roots of Midwest finesse fishing back to 1956, naming twelve pioneers who shaped the sport long before it reached California or Japan.

“Kansas City was the heart of finesse fishing,” Kehde said. “Before it got to Japan, before it got to California, it was here—in tackle shops, farm ponds, and the minds of guys like Chuck Woods and Harold Ensley.”

Kehde passed around vintage lures and described how frugality shaped finesse: chopped-down worms, hand-poured plastics, and mushroom jigheads. He credited Chuck Woods with inventing the original Ned Rig, Guido Hibdon with finesse power fishing, and Bert Hall with the Road Runner jig. He also honored Ray Finkle’s tackle shop as the epicenter of the movement.

His retrieves—“swim-glide-shake,” “hop-and-bounce,” “drag-and-deadstick”—are designed for subtlety and consistency. Kehde’s mission is simple: catch as many fish as possible, and make fishing accessible to everyone.

Hughes followed with a deep dive into the Neko Rig’s evolution. He shared how a friend introduced him to the Ned Rig on Lake Wanahoo, and how a Bass Pro employee later showed

him the Neko technique: hook reversed, nail weight inserted, and bait rigged for vertical presentation.

“It’s not just a technique,” Hughes said. “Let the worm do the action...you adjust the weight, watch your line, and trust the subtlety.”

He demonstrated hook placement, weight selection, and line setup, emphasizing contrast and vibration in murky water. Hughes also introduced his custom-painted nail weights and Snyder Sleeves, innovations designed to extend bait life and improve presentation.

His results speak volumes: over 20 bass over 20 inches this year alone, including a 23.75" giant. He’s caught fish in every state, guided hundreds of clients, and built a youth fishing club that awards lifetime licenses to kids.

In the end, “Ned vs. Neko” wasn’t about who caught the biggest bass or whose rig reigned supreme. It was about honoring the craft, sharing hard-earned wisdom, and reminding anglers that finesse fishing is as much about patience and curiosity as it is about gear. On a quiet Kansas lake, two masters cast their lines not just into water, but into the future of a sport built on subtlety, stewardship, and the joy of a well-earned tug.

Gear Breakdown: Ned vs. Neko

Feature  Ned Kehde  Marty Hughes

Rod  5'4" Medium-Light 7'2" Medium-Fast

Reel  Daiwa 2000 Series  Shimano Vanford 2500

Line  4–6 lb braid + fluoro leader  10–20 lb braid + 10–16 lb fluoro

Baits  ZinkerZ, Finesse WormZ, TRD TicklerZ Big TRD, CrawZ, Robo Worms, Missile Baits

Jig/Weight.  ShroomZ jighead (1/32–3/32 oz)  Painted nail weights (1/16–5/8 oz)

Hook  #2–#6 jig hooks Trokar TK 150 drop shot hook