I have some questions regarding shaky heads with worms:

1. How do you know when If bass has taken it, does it feel different than bumping over rocks?

2. Do I need a floating worm?

3. How do you set the hook?

4. Is this a good rig for beginners?

Thanks, Christian

To answer your questions...

 

1. When a bass takes the lure you'll usually feel a little tick. Or if you are paying attention to your line it is easy to tell when you have a fish.

 

2. Floating worms will give a better presentation, which allow the tail to float up while you shake the worm. You don't necessarily need to use floating worms though.

 

3. Set the hook vertically

 

4. It's an awesome rig but it requires patience. Shakey heads always catch fish for me when the bite is tough.

I've used the Zoom finesse worms on a shaky head and they stand straight up without a problem.

I use a hags tornado on a shaky head. Drag it along and feel a couple of taps or watch the line going sideways. Do a sweep hook set. It can sometimes be confusing if you are on a rocky bottom to distinguish between the rock hitting the weight or a fish tapping. Time will help you tell the difference. Also if there are weeds on the bottom, after time you'll know when you have a catch up. It's time to reel in and clear up your rig for another cast.

I use straight tail worm for shaky heads and most of the time it is a 4.5" worm but I also like a 5" and a 6". The 4.5" is a small company's bait called an SM Killer, the 5" is a Trigger X spade Tail worm and the 6" is the Basstrix Loca-Motion worm. Out of all these worm the Basstrix is the only one that floats and it does well in clear water only, in stained and clear water the 4.5" River Rock Baits SM Killer has worked better and I catch fish on it in extreme heat and cold, the Trigger X spade tail worm is fantastic in dirty water, I think it may have to do with the scent but for some reason fish find it and eat it and as I said, only the Basstrix worm floats so I'd say you don't need a worm that floats. Hits range from a tap-tap to a hard thum and sometimes it just feels like weeds are on your line but most of the time you will get a slight tap-tap. Setting the hook is the same as anything else really, if you get the right head with a light wire hook it only takes a sharp upward pull with your wrist and forearm, not much else and it is what I usually tie on for my wife when she decides she want to fish and she catches fish on it with no problem.