What would be the best baits to team with a shakey head?  I have never fished them so am trying to get a overview of what types of plastics to fish with them?

I have used craws with success but I mostly use straight tail worms because they flat out catch fish like that. I like to use worms that are 4.5" to 6" in length 99% of the time, there is one exception and that is when I fish a 10" worm on a 3/8oz head with a 5/0 hook, it is a finesse way to present a large bait but I rarely use it.

In practical terms most soft plastic baits work on a shakeyhead jig.

About the only thing I don't like on a shakyhead is a tube.

When I throw a Shakey Head it's mostly with a trick worm.

There are others that will work just as well, and I've probably tried them all over the years, but it seems like the trick worm was made for it.

Mike

I'm gonna give those Biospawn plasmatails a try inn the next few days. I really dig their action.

If I'm working it very slow, I like a floating worm, normally a Havoc. If I'm dragging and shaking it the Trick Worm. That's it.

Trick Worms, Roboworms, Rage Craws, ect

Geebus, ok here it goes 

 

Yum Pumpkin head black  5/16 paired with missle bait fuse craw 4.4 in green pumpkin purple 

 

Megastrike shakey head green pumpkin or black paird with the same or paired with missle bait baby d-bomb green pumpkin purple 

If I'm working it very slow, I like a floating worm, normally a Havoc. If I'm dragging and shaking it the Trick Worm. That's it.

Havoc Bottom Hopper?

Almost anything.  If you use a craw it'll look like it's in a defensive stance, if you use a fluke/swimbait it'll look like a fish feeding off the bottom, if you use a worm it looks like a worm trying to dig it's way into the bottom.  Basically use whatever brand/model/color that gives you the most confidence!

Netbait finese worm is my faviorte.

When I throw a Shakey Head it's mostly with a trick worm.

There are others that will work just as well, and I've probably tried them all over the years, but it seems like the trick worm was made for it.

Mike

 

X2 on what Mike wrote.

I should preface by saying that I rarely start with a shaky head rig, but resort to it when fishing is unspectacular

I doubt that there's any "best" shaky head trailer, but there are a few that I really like.

 

Unfortunately, my favorite shaky trailer is no longer in production, it was the “Gambler Giggy Stick”,

a small hollow worm with a tentacled tail like a tube. The shaky head trailers I use the most today

are the Roboworm 4.5” Straight Worm (pumpkin punisher) and Zoom 4.5" Finesse Worm (black grape).

 

Roger

Zoom 4.5 inch finesse worm. I like Green Pumpkin/Chartreuse tip.

Zoom 4.5 inch finesse worm. I like Green Pumpkin/Chartreuse tip.

 

Definitely 

Roboworm FAT.

I should preface by saying that I rarely start with a shaky head rig, but resort to it when fishing is unspectacular

I doubt that there's any "best" shaky head trailer, but there are a few that I really like.

Unfortunately, my favorite shaky trailer is no longer in production, it was the “Gambler Giggy Stick”,

a small hollow worm with a tentacled tail like a tube. The shaky head trailers I use the most today

are the Roboworm 4.5” Straight Worm (pumpkin punisher) and Zoom 4.5" Finesse Worm (black grape).

Roger

Yum used to make a bait like the one you described. They can be found in Walmart bargain bins from time to time, even though I hate shopping at Walmart... But that's a story for another day

Gary Y. 3.5 inch craw in watermelon with red flakes or pumpkin with green flakes. These fit perfectly on the Owner ultra shakey head with screw top in 4/0 size.

Hags Tornado usually 4" but once in a while a 5" does the trick. It stands straight up and the slightest movement of water or your rod flicks the tail. I'll use this on drop shots too since it will float horizontally.

For worms, I like the Havoc bottom hoppers, and the Netbait finesse, and T-mac...............why? Because they are cheap and they work. The new Yum Sharpshooter worm has been very good for me lately as well.

 

 Down sized Craw and creature baits, like the Pit Boss Jr, the small Net Bait B-bug or Paca craw, and 3.5" Yum Wooly bug are also great options, as are 4" and 5"  senko/stick type baits. A guy I fish against in our local tournaments has been killing it recently with a 4" swim senko type bait on a shaky head recently, enough to make me go out and fart around with it a little, and it's pretty dang effective if they want something with  some tail action.

 

About the only bait I have tried on a shaky head that I couldn't stand, oddly, was a worm designed for shaky head fishing.........the Big Bites Squirrel Tail worm...it caught fish but man do the rock bass, perch and bluegills tare them all the heck up.

I prefer roboworms straight tails and even alive shads. But I also go through my bag of mend it repaired plastics and can usually find something else that'll work in a pinch especially after its been soaking in megastrike.

Strike King 7" 3X and Havoc 6.5" Bottom Hopper. I seem to get more bites on the longer worms. Go figure.