For those of you who use a Braid + FC leader setup for the shakyhead application  , tell us what your using and lb. test for both ?

Because it is a sinking / bottom contact application (shakyhead) I am especially curious if SX1 braid may have an advantage here along with sinking FC (i.e. less bow in the line?) - or does it matter ? ...Thanks in advance for the replies !

There's  quite a range of "shakey head" presentations. How big a bait are you talking about and under what conditions? For fishing 1/8 oz with a 3" worm in shallow, clear water I'll use spinning tackle with 15# braid and a maybe a 6# fluoro leader, more for abrasion resistance than anything else. Dragging a 3/8 oz with a craw around between deep weed clumps I might tie 40# braid direct.  

Shaky heads are usually 1/8 oz. and below for me, and that means spinning.  15 or 20 braid, and a 6 to 10# fluoro leader.  Use an Alberto knot to connect your leader, and set the drag for around 1/3 your leader's strength.

8-20lb braid to 6-15lb fluoro leader.

I've been using 10lb Suffix 832 braid w/ 6-8lb P-Line 100% fluorocarbon leader with good success. Just wish they made the Suffix in 8lb braid.  The thinner the braid you can get the less bow you will get.  Never tried the SX1 braid yet.

Most Shaky Head fishing I do is 1/8 to 3/16 oz on spinning tackle, so I go with 15# braid (PP) and a 6-8# FC leader (Sea Invisx). Always an Alberto Knot for me.

I personally rarely go heavier with a Shaky, but I know others do.

Thanks for the replies - I have yet to go down to 10lb. braid for a shaky head set up with FC (1/8th oz. jig + 5 " straight tail worm) ... * Any downside to going from say .009 inch braid down to a .007 or .006 inch braid (mainly talking PP 4 strand here - don't believe a 8 strand braid is going to be much below .009 inch in a 10lb. test) ?

Most of my shakeyhead fishing is done with weights between 3/32 and 1/4 oz.  I prefer to use the lighter weights but we have frequent windy conditions and the lighter weights become difficult to feel and keep on the bottom.   I use 20lb PP slick 8 braid with 6 - 8lb FC leader most often.

 

I would suggest that your choice in line has to be based on what you decide are the more important factors between line management, sensitivity, and abrasion resistance.  Your line choice should be tailored to give you the best results based on a balance between your priorities and the environment that you fish in.

10lb pp with 6lb floroclear leaders is my goto spinning setup. If i use my finesse casting gear its straight 8lb floroclear...

10lb PP Super Slick with an 8 or 10lb Sunline Super fluorocarbon leader. Mostly fishing 1/8-1/4 oz shakyheads and only on spinning gear. 

10lb yellow power pro, 8-10 lb berkley 100% fluoro leader. I like to tie a long leader of at least 5' to lessen the likelihood of having to retie on the water. Double uni knot, 16-18 wraps on the braid side (critical end) and 8-9 wraps on the fluoro side.

I've been using 10lb Suffix 832 braid w/ 6-8lb P-Line 100% fluorocarbon leader with good success. Just wish they made the Suffix in 8lb braid.  The thinner the braid you can get the less bow you will get.  Never tried the SX1 braid yet.

 

15 lb smackdown is smaller dia than 10 lb 832. 10 lb smackdown is even smaller yet. Take a look at it.

15 lb smackdown is smaller dia than 10 lb 832. 10 lb smackdown is even smaller yet. Take a look at it.

I like the fact that it is smaller dia.  Don't like the fact its $10 more per 150yd. spool though. I might have to pick some up though during TW black Friday sale or one down the line for next year.

I almost always use the same set up, an Owner 3/16 head, 2500/3000 Shimano spinning reel, 20# braid (usually PP in either white or green) with a 10 or 15# P-Line 100% fluorocarbon leader. About 80% of the time I go with the 15# as I'm usually fishing around some sort of wood (docks or sunken trees) but in the rare situation of super clear water I'll drop down to 10#. I don't really play around with any other leader strengths because one of these two always gets the job done for me.   

I appreciate the replies !