Skip to content

Gear suggestions for 3/16-1/4 oz shakey head fishing

Featured Replies

I am fairly new to shakes head fishing and have been extremely frustrated with fish coming unbuttoned on my current medium (moderate fast) spinning rod spooled with 10 lb floro.  I don't think I am getting enough umph with my hook sets.  I have been thinking about purchasing a shorter 6'6"-6'10" medium (extra fast) spinning rod and spooling it with 10-15 lb braid or going with a MH (fast action) bait casting rig spooled with 12 lb floro.  My question for you experienced shakey headsters is do you think either of these combinations would work, which would work best, or if you think I am way off please give me some recommendations for maximizing hook sets?  I mainly fish shallow stained lakes that have a variety of pea gravel to chunk sized rock, flooded timber, and cedar tree brush piles.  I like to use shakey heads on the rocks and timber and go with heavier jig/trig setups in the brush.  

  • Super User

My shakey head set up : 7 M / F spinning rod , 2500 series spinning reel ,  #10 lb.  braid main line , 6' FC #8 lb. leader , shakey head jig weight of 1/8th oz. (95% of the time) I also drop down to 1/16th oz. or 3/32nd oz. (depending on the jig head ) and on rare occasions I may go up to 3/16th oz. *The pro experts like KVD or the West coast guys believe you lose too much action if you go above 1/8th oz. on a shakey head weight and I am with them on that belief - lighter is better in 1/16th oz. , 3/32nd oz & 1/18th oz. shakey head jig weights (Owner , Strike King , Picasso and a host of other good shakey head jigs) . For worms - you have Zoom Trick & Finesse worms , 6" Bio Spawn worms , 6" Fat Robo Worms , Strike King Baby Fat Finesse worms , Z-Man 6" Finesse worms and a host of others . Watermelon Red , Green Pumpkin and Junebug will cover most conditions any where .

I use a Daiwa Tatula 6'6" medium rood, Tatula LT 3000 shallow spool reel, 15lb PP braid, 6' mono or flouro leader with 1/8-1/4oz shakey heads and 5/16 finesse jigs. I never have issues with hook sets. It's a really light and sensitive setup, that is very versatile. I sometimes drop to 10lb braid if I am consistently using lighter baits.

  • Super User

I throw 3/16 to 1/4oz shakeyheads on my MH or H jig/worm rods and only go up to about 1/8oz on my lighter tackle.  It really depends on the hook thickness of the specific jigheads you are using. 

  • Author

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate all of the information.  I went out for an hr with my MH Veritos bait casting rig this evening and hooked 5 of 6 light bites.  Apparently my Med moderate action spinning rod does not have enough backbone.  After looking at what you guys throw I think I will pick up a medium extra fast spinning rod, spool up with 15lb braid and a 10lb floro leader.  I'll use my other rod for what it was intended (drop shot).  

I was actually surprised at how well my bait caster handled the 3/16oz shakey head with 15lb yozuri hybrid.  I may have to designate one for 1/4oz+ applications around heavy cover.  The spinning outfit will allow me to go down to 1/8 oz and be more effective in clear water.  

I am currently looking at the Damiki Dark Angel on sale at tackle warehouse, a Cadence CR7, or a Powell Inferno.  Do you guys have any experience with these rods?  

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.