fishing spot logo
fishing spot font logo



Shakey head technique 2025


fishing user avatarBig Muddy reply : 

I am looking for any info on "shakey head" jig fishing.  I have only heard of this technique lately and was wondering how it is done and under what circumstances.  I do know it is a finesse-type technique.  Any info (jig type, plastics used, conditions) would be greatly appreciated.


fishing user avatarShakes reply : 

The shakey head is one of the best things to happen to worms since "fake worms" were invented. Its a ball head jig with no skirt. Slip the worm on, just like you would a T-rig... and fish it hop, pause, hop, hop, pause.


fishing user avatarMALTESE FALCON reply : 

Welcome Big Muddy.

I'm just starting to use the shakey rig myself. I know some of the more popular jigs are Spot Remover, Chompers Stand-up, Bite Me. I have the BPS Finesse Football Jig and it seems to work fine.

I think the most used worms are the Zoom Trick Worm and Strike King 3X. At least I seem to see those names alot. They are the ones I'm starting with.

I'm sure some more experienced shakey head fishermen will come along and enlighten both of us.

Falcon


fishing user avatarTroutfisher reply : 

Welcome aboard!


fishing user avatarBionicman reply : 

This is a great technique. I have caught many many many fish on this.  I use Zoom Trick Worms or Yum Houdini Worms.


fishing user avatar=Matt 5.0= reply : 

I just bought a bunch of Tru Tungsten Ike's ball busters, can't wait to try 'em.


fishing user avatarfrogtog reply : 

Welcome Big Muddy. 8-)


fishing user avatarGrey Wolf reply : 

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


fishing user avatarfishbear reply : 

Welcome aboard!  

I use a Zoom Monster worm on my jig heads.....  Love that big twisted tailed monster..


fishing user avatarSwampMan reply : 

Shakey head fishing is top notch!


fishing user avatarBig Muddy reply : 
  Quote
The shakey head is one of the best things to happen to worms since "fake worms" were invented. Its a ball head jig with no skirt. Slip the worm on, just like you would a T-rig... and fish it hop, pause, hop, hop, pause.

Will this technique work on the Mississippi where there is current or is this a lake/impoundment thing. I'm curious about the presentation. Is it as simple as hop-pause?


fishing user avatargrid reply : 

How well does this work where the bottom has alot of snot grass.  


fishing user avatarShakes reply : 
  Quote
  Quote
The shakey head is one of the best things to happen to worms since "fake worms" were invented. Its a ball head jig with no skirt. Slip the worm on, just like you would a T-rig... and fish it hop, pause, hop, hop, pause.

Will this technique work on the Mississippi where there is current or is this a lake/impoundment thing. I'm curious about the presentation. Is it as simple as hop-pause?

You could use it with current, just get a heavier jig head. And yes, its as simple as hop pause.


fishing user avatarRockvilleMDAngler reply : 

What kind of rod are people using with this technique?  I have a St. Croix Avid ML 6'6" rod that I use for drop shotting, will it work for shakey head fishing?  At what depth does this technique work best?


fishing user avatarflyphisher # reply : 

a 6'6 pr 7ft MH works best  w/ at least 12lb line. You can fish a shakeyhead about anywhere. Here we do best around and in brush, docks, rocks, and wood. Doesnt matter where you fish it....if the bite is tough, it will get you bites you wont get otherwise.


fishing user avatardeadeye32. reply : 

as far as a rod, I use a fenwick hmg 7ft. medium of my shakey heads.  Here in Indy, we were catching um like crazy off of drop offs and ledges.  We fished a lake that was shallow all around untill you got about 15ft from the bank and it dropped off to about 8 ft.  Thats were we were nailing them last week.  I used a spot remover jig head and some worms called "air tail", cant think of the maker right now, but they were about 5in. long and black.

Good luck.


fishing user avatarBassMaster_1 reply : 
  Quote
I just bought a bunch of Tru Tungsten Ike's ball busters, can't wait to try 'em.

I seen them in a past Bassmaster issue, I was also thinking  about picking up a few myself.  I have never tried the "shaky head", but is one presentation I was going to look into this year.  I have heard nothing but good things about it.


fishing user avatarZebco202 reply : 

I've picked up a few shakey head worms this winter and I hope to be able to get them wet here in the next few weeks.  I've picked up some trick worms and also some zoom finesse worms to use with this technique.


fishing user avatarSwampMan reply : 

I think the best jig heads for the shakey worms are the standup heads.  The ball heads seem to roll to one side once in a while.  While the standup heads keep the bait up off the bottom.  If you haven't tried any, I recommend them!


fishing user avatarBig Muddy reply : 
  Quote
I think the best jig heads for the shakey worms are the standup heads. The ball heads seem to roll to one side once in a while. While the standup heads keep the bait up off the bottom. If you haven't tried any, I recommend them!

I was looking at that head and thinking the same thing. Now that we've established which head I'm going to try first, I'll have to figure out what plastic to use on it. I'm guessing it should be something with a floating tail.............Any suggestions?


fishing user avatarJ@k3 01s3n reply : 
  Quote
 I'm guessing it should be something with a floating tail.............Any suggestions?

I like to use the small zoom finesse worms, they are basically a miniature trick worm. I really like them in the junebug color. Berkley also makes some power bait shaky worms, and I have also had success using drop shot worms like those sold by Bass pro, and Bass Assassin.

I am primarily a finesse fisherman, and so for me this is all about small baits with a delicate presentation. You will probably get other ideas from anglers with a little bit of a different style.


fishing user avatargrid reply : 

How about if there is alot of that snot like grass?  Can you fish this way and be productive?


fishing user avatarhi_steel_basser reply : 

I fish shaky head rigs alot, and I prefer a zoom finesse worm or trick worm, although I have been playing with some hand-pours. They don't work around snot grass, for the same reason other techniques don't work. The only effetive worm in snot grass is a senko style bait, IMO.


fishing user avatarSinko Baits reply : 

check out my post at: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1175831726


fishing user avatarPond Hopper reply : 

AS for which bait to use I bought some of swampbaits hand poured worms and they look great. I havent got to use them much yet but the worms float so they stand up great on a shakey head.  He has some 6 and 10 inch worms and the 10 inch look like an easy slow meal on a stnad up jig.  


fishing user avatarBass XL reply : 

Flyphisher said to use at least 12 pound test line...i totally disagree....i use 6# as my min. and 10 as my max..I'm not saying it wont work, but you will feel and get alot more bites on the smaller line....as for plastic...if you read my outing post and saw my pic's...Webbs Baits makes some nice worms for shakey head...

Craig


fishing user avatarJ@k3 01s3n reply : 
  Quote
Flyphisher said to use at least 12 pound test line...i totally disagree....i use 6# as my min. and 10 as my max..I'm not saying it wont work, but you will feel and get alot more bites on the smaller line....as for plastic...if you read my outing post and saw my pic's...Webbs Baits makes some nice worms for shakey head...

Craig

I totally agree on the smaller line. I usually use 6or 8lb myself. One thing that I love is that you can kind of cheat will flouro line if you are really worried about using smaller line, without sacrificing sensitivity or line diameter.


fishing user avatarplaymaker47 reply : 

would a real subtle bite on a shaky head rig feel the same a t-rig... kind of a mushy feeling or just a small tap??


fishing user avatarThefishy1 reply : 

It seems to me that most of the bigger fish that I catch on a shaky head only feel like a mushy feeling or just one tap, because I think that bigger fish can take in the whole worm with just one bite while the smaller fish need a couple bites to get it all in their mouth and feel more like a tap tap tap




8724

related Fishing Tackle topic

How Would You Tackle This?
Favourite Texas rigged soft plastic
Use a spinnerbait trailer or not?
How do you approach Night Fishing? Favorite technique?
If You Had 7 Rods - What Would Be Tied On Each?
Micro Jigs.
Why do you fish the jig you fish?
Squarebills
Been Missing Out On Lipless Cranks All These Years
Z-MAN Shroomz Micro Finesse Jig
ICAST 17 Counterfeits Caught !
Brand Worms
best under rated lure
So, Have You Ultimately Reached The Majority Of What You Need To Buy For Fishing Besides The Minor S
Culprit Worm Help Needed
What's Your Favorite Jerkbait Color?
Powerbait Crazy Legs Chigger Craw
Favorite Fall Fishing Lures/ Techniques
zoom trick worm, berkley 10" powerbait worm
Not doing anymore business with BPS



previous topic
H2O Lures? -- Fishing Tackle
next topic
How Would You Tackle This? -- Fishing Tackle