Shaky Head Equipment

[Bassmandan]

Just trying to get some input on what people use for shaky head fishing. My go-to rig is a 6" Houdini Worm on a 1/16 oz Bite Me shaky head or a 1/16 oz Gopher Tackle mushroom head jig. I think the hooks are 3/0. I usually fish it with 8 lb floro on a 7' medium action spinning rod. The thing is, I usually fish in Minnesota where I am throwing them on weedlines in 8'-12' feet of water most of the time. I do utilze the shaking technique in certain situations, but with the weeds I don't get the opportunity that often. I use the light jig head because of the shallow water but also because I get most of the fish on the fall. My question is, what would you guys reccomend I adjust as far as equipment and technique when I fish Table rock this year? First time I'm coming down is at the end of March (if that makes a difference).

Thanks,

Dan

[dwiebenga]

I throw my shakehead on a Med Spinning rod with 8lb flourocarbon. I use an 1/8th to 1/4 oz Tru-Tungsten jighead. That time of year you might be fishing 5ft of water or 25ft of water. Depends on what the weather brings us. This is just opinion. My favorite bait is a Zoom Watermelon-Red Finesse worm.

Dave

[Don House]

Dan, biggest thing is your line size. Stay in the 6 - 8 pound floro range. I like to use a 5" - 8" thin razor worm in green pepper or Watermelon Red flakes, tipped these with some spike it chart on the end. Rods used well that is up to you, 6.6 med is my favorite. Good Fishing see you on the Water..

Capt. Don

[CaptainJoe]

Dan,

I use a wide spinning reel (BPS Extreme) on a 7' medium rod (BPS Extreme). I use 14# Fireline Crystal with a 5'leader using 8# P-Line Floroclear or Yo-Zuri HyBrid.

I use a 3/8 or 1/4 oz. Spot Remover Shakey Head Jig with 4" Chompers green pumpkin worm. I would target secondary points in 8' to 20' of water. But, my primary bait during this time of year is a wacky worm using the same rod, reel, and line.

With this setup, I feel every bite, see all line movement, and to set the hook only requires a small snap of the wrist.

Good luck,

[Bassmandan]

Thanks for everybody's input. Does chompers make a 4" worm thats different from the drop shot worm? Or is the 4" "drop shot worm" the one I hear people use for a lot of different applications (other than for a drop shot)?

Thanks again,

Dan

[CaptainJoe]

Dan,

Chompers makes a 4" drop shot worm, which is what I use on the Shaky Head. They also make a 7" shaky head worm, buy I find that one too long for the crystal clear water of Table Rock. I use the 4" drop shot worm for drop shotting and shaky head fishing. In the creeks and other dirty water lakes, I will use the 7" worm and sometimes a senko, baby brush hog, or a trick worm on my shaky head.

Take care,