Question About Lures Not Standing When Rigged On A Shakey Head 2025

Jay Ell Gee reply :

Good evening everyone. I was doing a little tank testing of soft plastics that I keep around and started to realize that some of the lures that I would have assumed always float tail up barely come close. Keep in mind that I am new to the technique (promised myself that I would work on finesse fishing this winter) but I am starting to find some real uses for it.

However, after testing some worms and craws, I am at a bit of a loss.

My two top hopes were my original (not super salty plus, I know better) zoom trick worms. They did somewhat well, but kept possibly a thirty degree angle after being rigged. I then rigged up a some roboworm straight tails (and fatties) and they simply fell over. Thought I normally dropshot with these worms, I was really expecting them to float tail up like I have seen in online tank test videos. Any chance my jighead is too heavy?

A couple of my craws and beavers "kind of" stood, but I don't trust them under water on a non flat surface.

I was using the one pack of shakey head's that I bought, which are Strike King Shakey Head Jigheads size 3/16 (which I now realize are a bit on the large side) and I am just about ready to toss these in the garbage and try some new ones. They barely stood up, if at all, and the giant bait keeper absolutely destroys any worms that I thread onto it. Once it goes on, the nose is ruined.

Should I perhaps be using smaller jigheads? 1/8 oz or 1/4, perhaps? Any particular style or brand that you recommend? I really would love to try the E2 from Megastrike, but I hear that they perform best on rocky/gravel bottoms, not too common in Louisiana, at least where I fish. Perhaps a football head type? I will admit, I am also worried about ordering some due to the fear of adding enough into the cart to make it "free shipping" and end up with more stuff!

Also, does anyone have any suggestions for lures that truly float? I am definitely open to suggestions, as I am really wanting to learn this technique, and I have more soft plastics than I need already... I would hate to end up with more non-floaters after testing them.

Also, does anyone ever throw something different, such as flukes, sunfish-profile soft plastics, or perhaps grubs on shakey heads? I would imagine that they would be more efficient in warmer months, as they would probably need to be hopped and moving to keep them upright?

Thanks for any input guys and gals!

TNBassin' reply :

FWIW, I use nothing but 1/4oz shakey head jigs. I do use mainly football jigs too. For me, Yum F2 ribbon tails slightly trimmed, and Big Bite Squirrel Tails work great on a shakey head. I've caught more on the ribbon tails than a true shakey head worm, but if you want an awesome worm that will get the tail sticking straight up and wiggling, then the Squirrel Tails are a great choice. I got some Bruiser Bait worms in a MTB a few months ago, and they really stand up nicely on a 1/4oz head as well. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but the worms I mentioned have produced so well for me I haven't really branched out to try anything different. Good luck.

Zackbassmaster reply :

I'm in LA too! I love to shakey head fish, and my favorite shaky head jig heads are the megastrike shakE2 and the spot remover. Both make worms, craws, and beavers stand up. My favorite finesse worm to shakey head is the KVD Perfect Plastics Finesse worm. One of the softest worms I've ever used! Good luck with trying out shakey heads!

gripnrip reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 9:30 AM, TNBassin said:
FWIW, I use nothing but 1/4oz shakey head jigs. I do use mainly football jigs too. For me, Yum F2 ribbon tails slightly trimmed, and Big Bite Squirrel Tails work great on a shakey head. I've caught more on the ribbon tails than a true shakey head worm, but if you want an awesome worm that will get the tail sticking straight up and wiggling, then the Squirrel Tails are a great choice. I got some Bruiser Bait worms in a MTB a few months ago, and they really stand up nicely on a 1/4oz head as well. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but the worms I mentioned have produced so well for me I haven't really branched out to try anything different. Good luck.

On 2/17/2013 at 10:02 AM, Zackbassmaster said:
I'm in LA too! I love to shakey head fish, and my favorite shaky head jig heads are the megastrike shakE2 and the spot remover. Both make worms, craws, and beavers stand up. My favorite finesse worm to shakey head is the KVD Perfect Plastics Finesse worm. One of the softest worms I've ever used! Good luck with trying out shakey heads!

Mike L reply :

I've tried many differemt brands of shaky heads but keep coming back to the spot remover.

When I did some testing in a pool with a Zoom trick worm I found that it didn't stand straight up either, but found that the angle did make the tail action in any amount of water movement an outstanding plus that I didn't expect.

Mike

Bluebasser86 reply :

What do you feel the odds really are that a bait and shakyhead fall perfectly straight down and land just right on the bottom to stand up and down like they do in a perfect environment they're usually tested in? I can't imagine even a head designed to stand up on the bottom ever comes to rest perfectly like they do in aquariums where they're often demonstrated. I pour my own shakyheads that have a round head so I'm sure they never stand up but it's never been something I've worried about with them. Shakyheads with a trick worm or T mac worm are one my favorite baits to use and are one of my top producers each year even though they don't stand up.

I'd say if you get a bait to stand at a 30-45 degree angle then you're doing pretty good. I'd feel like a football shakyhead would be the most consistent at keeping a bait sitting up at an angle without falling over.

Teal reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 9:08 AM, Jay Ell Gee said:

Also, does anyone ever throw something different, such as flukes, sunfish-profile soft plastics, or perhaps grubs on shakey heads? I would imagine that they would be more efficient in warmer months, as they would probably need to be hopped and moving to keep them upright?

Thanks for any input guys and gals!

really the only thing outside of worms and some craws thay I put on a finesse jig head is a Big Bite Baits Warmouth. It is basically a sunfish profile that is rigged side ways. I tried it t rigged with an 1/8th and 1/4 and didnt really care for it. But then i tried it on a 1/4 finesse football head and i started getting bit. I just started using it last spring and caught a bunch of bedding fish with it. I plan on trying the rage shell cracker this way also.

...and of course i do throw grubs on a standard ball head..this is a panic box technique for me.

iabass8 reply :

I've never had an issue with not be able to get roboworms to float. Those are some of the most buoyant worms made. 90% of the time i'm throwing shakey heads on 1/8 or 3/16 secret lures widegap or a custom football head with a screw lock. very rarely will I ever have to go to 1/4 unless wind is howling. I've used the SK football shakey heads and really liked them. I just found some that were much better. 3/16 is not too heavy to stop a bait from floating. You will get some "duds" with the zoom finesse worms that don't want to stay afloat but for the most part they usually do. You could try the megastrike e2 or w/e it's called if you are having a lot of issues with baits standing up. Those shakey heads seem to stand up every time. I've never had an issue though.

Are you attaching lines to the shakey heads in your tank test or just dropping them straight down and hoping they stand up? Having the line attached to the eyelet and having your fingers act as the rod or fulcrum will make a difference.

Jay Ell Gee reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 12:47 PM, iabass8 said:

I've never had an issue with not be able to get roboworms to float. Those are some of the most buoyant worms made. 90% of the time i'm throwing shakey heads on 1/8 or 3/16 secret lures widegap or a custom football head with a screw lock. very rarely will I ever have to go to 1/4 unless wind is howling. I've used the SK football shakey heads and really liked them. I just found some that were much better. 3/16 is not too heavy to stop a bait from floating. You will get some "duds" with the zoom finesse worms that don't want to stay afloat but for the most part they usually do. You could try the megastrike e2 or w/e it's called if you are having a lot of issues with baits standing up. Those shakey heads seem to stand up every time. I've never had an issue though.

Are you attaching lines to the shakey heads in your tank test or just dropping them straight down and hoping they stand up? Having the line attached to the eyelet and having your fingers act as the rod or fulcrum will make a difference.

I was actually just dropping them down. I didn't realize that it would make a huge difference.

I appreciate the heads up. I'll also give the roboworms a few more tries I suppose.

iabass8 reply :

That is most likely your issue. Glad you caught it before you spent tons of money. When the line is attached to the eyelet of the shakey head it will "rocker" (if that makes sense) the jig to sit on it's fulcrum or base (if you have a shakey head that is supposed to stand up) which is make the tail stand up every time with the correct bait. The SK heads will make a bait stand up but they, assuming you have the football head one, are meant to be fished in rock or gravel and seem to need the occasional "pop" if they fall over. Not a bad jig head though.

Jay Ell Gee reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 1:00 PM, iabass8 said:
That is most likely your issue. Glad you caught it before you spent tons of money. When the line is attached to the eyelet of the shakey head it will "rocker" (if that makes sense) the jig to sit on it's fulcrum or base (if you have a shakey head that is supposed to stand up) which is make the tail stand up every time with the correct bait. The SK heads will make a bait stand up but they, assuming you have the football head one, are meant to be fished in rock or gravel and seem to need the occasional "pop" if they fall over. Not a bad jig head though.

These are the round variety. The first time around messing with the SH, I caught quite a few bass and decided to grab some more hooks, but never ended up using them again. Sometimes it stood, many times it didn't. Guess I was just hoping for a head design that was more consistent.

I'm going fishing in the morning (40 degrees, brrrrrr) and will give them another shot!

I also agree about having to go out and buy stuff. My backpack is pretty weighed down as it is. My mission for 2013 is to blow through most of my soft plastics, pick the ones I like, and quite buying so many different types to try.

Jig Meister reply :

I like to use small shaky heads the highest I will go will be the 1/4.

The Zeineth from Seibert is awesome you should check them

TNBassin' reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 1:35 PM, Jig Meister said:

I like to use small shaky heads the highest I will go will be the 1/4.

The Zeineth from Seibert is awesome you should check them

Yeah the 1/4oz size balances out the best with your "standard" sized worms.

MrSwimJig reply :

Great INFO. Tried fishing Shakey Head last year and had been wondering about whether or not the bait was actually floating up or not. I use the Spot Jig head and will be trying some of the Big Bite Baits Squirrel Tail worms. I mainly just used the YUM F2 Shakalicious worm last year.

TNBassin' reply :

On 2/17/2013 at 7:39 PM, Mr Swim Jig said:
Great INFO. Tried fishing Shakey Head last year and had been wondering about whether or not the bait was actually floating up or not. I use the Spot Jig head and will be trying some of the Big Bite Baits Squirrel Tail worms. I mainly just used the YUM F2 Shakalicious worm last year.

Been curious about the Shakalicious worm. I'm assuming it produced well for you since you used it so much. Might have to pick up a pack and give them a try.

roadwarrior reply :

The Shak-E2 sets the bar for me: http://www.megastrike.com/#!products/vstc2=shake2-heads

You might find it interesting the BassResource members urged Bobby to create the

Pro Series which I use. The jig head itself, whether you fish the Original or Pro Series,

is unique.

Jig Meister reply :

here is a little insight.

the shaky head worms I use are really on the smaller light end, you want to use things like the Whip Tail (forgot the maker but if you want to know I can search my tackle) and the Zoom Shaky worm, this worm rocks and comes in two sizes, both work awesome.

What I look for in a shaky worm, since it is a FINESSE presentation, is something with a fat 'body' and a "whip tail", these work the best to float the tail up.

I fish these all the time and these styles of worms produce the best overall for me

OkobojiEagle reply :

Shak-e2 is a good stand-up head.

I don't know why you think the bait needs to stand straight vertical. Defensive craws and feeding bait fish don't spend much (if any) time in a perfect vertical position. If the tails suspend above the bottom it seems good enough to me.

Felix77 reply :

I caught my PB on a Shakey Head. I have tried most of them on the market. The Gama Alien, Pumpkin ED jig, traditional ball shakey (Strike King) etc. I spent most of last season researching and experimenting with it. Here's my feedback.

Alot of worms you mentioned don't float unless they have a float chamber or made of ElazTech. I was just as surprised as you were when I dipped my zoom trick and finesse worms, my roboworms, and several other items and they didn't float. But this is the LEAST important aspect of these lures.
The least important because I never just plain deadstick a shakey. I drag it slowly, lightly hop it, shake it (as the name implies) which causes the tail to move in an enticing fashion.
The right shakey head will cause the hook to move up and down with each shake. That action causes whatever lure you have to get that action you need to catch them.

I burned a lot of hours fishing shaky heads from shore just to see the action I am imparting which caused the tails to stick up best. Light hops and shaking the slack seemed to work best.

If you truly want one which floats then go elaztech or go custom lures which can make you unsalted finesse worms that are guaranteed to float.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Jay Ell Gee reply :

Well, I don't remember stating that I was looking for my lures to stand up 90 degrees, but I was looking for a hair better than what they do.

Felix, I feel the same way now. I tied some line to my shakey's and noticed that even with minor floatation, most worms would make the traditional shaky pose when slowly drug or hopped. The slight movement kicks the butt end up well. Thanks for the insight. I guess I am just so used to dead sticking this winter that I lost sight of that concept.

Thanks all! Going to give the shaky a few shakes in the next couple minutes. Hopefully something bites!

smalljaw67 reply :

Do yourself a favor and don't worry about it standing up on the bottom, as stated earlier in the thread, very seldom does a jig and worm on a lake or river bottom act like it does in a controled enviroment like a 12" deep aquarium with a short piece of line tied to it. I like worms that have salt in them and do very well with a shakey head, I just caught 3 nice largemouth in 9' of water Janary 12th in Pennsylvania using a 1/16oz shakey head and a 4.5" worm. In 38 degree water a small profile was needed but if the worm I was using was a floating worm it would have never made it to the bottom, if I used an 1/8oz or larger head I would have been making the profile of my bait larger and maybe I wouldn't have got bit. My partner was using a floating worm on a 1/8oz head and didn't get a bite, so don't worry about it, now if you are fishing and someone is killing them on a floating style worm then yes, make a switch but I keep both floating models and sinking models to fish on a shakey head, they all work.

WRB reply :

On a wire screw on type worm keeper cut about 1/4" of the worm nose off flat, then screw it onto the keeper.

The last time there was a discussion regarding floating worms, I put 6" Iovino, Roboworm and Uptom's, the brands I normally fish with, in the laundry sink with about 12" of water and they all floated on the surface for over 24 hours, not 1 worm sank. Easy test that anyone can do if interested. Give your worms a try with nd without attractant you use, then you will know if they sink or not.

Tom

Zackbassmaster reply :

Most of my worms don't float straight up but I think they manage about a 45-60 degree angle which works great. I think a roboworm stands up the best but I tend to not catch as many fish on a roboworm as say a strike king or zoom finesse worm. Just a thought.

jhoffman reply :

You want something that will stand?

http://kickerfishbait.com/

Also, just cause the shakey head is so popular doesnt make it the only way to stand up a bait. A neko rig is very effective at that.

Felix77 reply :

I love the Neko rig. Great co-angler presentation IMO. The Neko rig is certainly a way to make a lure stand up but IMO you need to work it a little more than a shakey head to keep the lure up in that stance. Keeping tension on the line is key.

Bankbeater reply :

I have never used them on a shakey head, but over the years I have noticed that the Creme scoundrels will float if they don't have too much weight on them.

The American reply :

SK Elaztec to float. Zoom finesse produce more for me, float or not.

J Francho reply :

You want a "stand up" head, not a shaky head. Just look at the description: shaky head, not stand up plastic. It's an evolution of the jigworm, adding a bait holder and longer, stout hook. A shaky head is a floating worm, where the jighead rests on the bottom, and the floating worm's tail rises. Shake the head (get it?) and the tail flops down, and rises again.

Now a good standup head (try these, they stand up just about every time: http://www.megastrike.com/#!products/vstc2=shake2-heads) will accomplish what you want to do, and more. They have a rocker head that offers more control than the standard shaky head.

aharris reply :

I use a 1/8 oz SH 99% of the time with either a robo, zoom or swag plastics. I'd go with a smaller wire hook if you want it to stand up a little more.

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Question About Lures Not Standing When Rigged On A Shakey Head 2025

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