Received a bonus at work recently and was looking to get new baitcast combo.   This will be dedicated to shakey head fishing.   Looking to spend roughly 400 plus or minus a few dollars.   What are your suggestions.  Usually use 1/8 or 3/16 head with trick worms.   Looking for something light and sensitive.   I am not brand loyal.  

Welcome to the forum. 

Can't help.  Never used that technique.  Nice price range to be in.  Several will be along later today with recommendations.  Doubt most will agree on what to use.  Enjoy the quest.  It is at least half the fun.  BTW, the Bait Monkey is a friend of mine.  Say hello for me. 

Thank you.  I know what you mean about the bait monkey.   New to this technique but love it,  it is one of my favorites for the lakes that are close to me.  

This should help: 

Thank you,  that gives me a good starting point.   I have looked at shimano and diawas.  The question probably is more along the lines of spend more on reel or rod or 200 on each.  

Specifically, I would try to find a deal or wait on a sale and pick up a Shimano CI4+ 2500FA and a St. Croix Avid AVS68MXF or maybe the AVS69MLXF.

I would go spinning for shakeyheads but I'm always a fan of casting rods for any situation. 

I *think* there is a 6'10" ML Zodias casting rod available usdm. I like those at $200. Having a casting rod built on an ML St. Croix spinning blank would also be neat. I tend to go fast action since I use braid for this technique. Alphas SV is my finesse reel of choice sound $200. It would also match the Zodias nicely. 

Some of the reels I'm looking at is the ci4,  ***,  the diawa alphas sv,  or waiting on new scorpion 70.  All of these around 200. Then consider other higher end shimano but that would cut my budget on rod.