I have researched shaky heads all over the web. Seems like the favorite shaky head for a tough bite is either 1/8 or 3/16 oz. I’ve always used a 1/4oz tungsten because I can feel the bottom so well. I don’t like 1/8 at all...I just never seem to be able to feel anything with it. 

 

Do y’all find that you get more bites with the 3/16oz?

I use from 1/16 to 5/16 oz. heads.

water depth and wind determines which size I use.

Generally I use the lightest weight I can feel.

most of the time I am fishing in 10 feet or less.

I use 1/8 ounce the most. For me It has produced more fish than all other weights combined.

1/4 and 5/16 are usually reserved for 20 feet or deeper.

 

One other bonus of the lighter weights. They are easier to skip under overhanging cover. The heavier heads tend to dig into the water, when trying to skip.

Hoping I wouldn’t hear that. ? 

Spinning gear and I don’t get along very well. 

Yes, spinning gear mandatory for the shakey head.  I am sure we will hear from casting rod shakey head dude here shortly.  

Russ E said it very well.  I will add that I like the 1/8 head with a 4.75” worm and it will get hung less especially around rock.  The 3/16 and 1/4 works better with larger worms, on a windy day, or in deeper water.

Routinely throw the 1/4 with casting in all conditions (except heavy wind). And have good success. 

But I would hate to be missing bites by not going lighter. Gonna try 3/16 tungsten. Might even be able to cast it with light casting gear. ? (I know...stubborn)

I use 1/16oz a lot, just use a heavier (denser) worm. I haven't used a shakyhead heavier than 1/8oz in years, but I'll also fish a 1/16oz Ned rig in 20+ feet of water so maybe I'm just not quite right in the head. 

 

Fishing a shakyhead on casting gear is like eating cereal with water, you can do it, but it doesn't make any sense when you have something else that works better.

7 hours ago, MurphD said:

Hoping I wouldn’t hear that. ? 

Spinning gear and I don’t get along very well. 

#10 #15 lb.  braid mainline + #8 lb. co-poly or FC leader ... Now you will like your spinning outfit .

It depends on the waters you fish as to what you will use. A 1/4oz shaky head in my water means you will be breaking off an retying every other cast as it will be wedged in the rocks. I use 1/16oz to 3/16oz most of the time and 4.5" to 6" worms mostly, the lighter weight lets you feel the bottom just fine but you have to move it slower. 

22 hours ago, MurphD said:

I’ve always used a 1/4oz tungsten because I can feel the bottom so well

 

This is your answer ?

 

I like 3/16oz and yes I’m the casting gear shakey head guy. Lol.   The day I have to use spinning gear is the day I’ll probably quit bass fishing.   I’m sure it’s user error on my part but the poor casting accuracy and “wind” knots are just too much to manage.  

1/4 oz shaky head with a 6" trick worm is what dominates my home lake.  

Jig weight feedback depends on lots of factors, the most is you keeping in touch with the jig.

What diameter and line type are you using?

Tom

3/16 to 1/4 is almost negligible

A lot of things go into shakeyhead fishing and the weights used.  I need the 1/4 oz for depth and current but will use the lightest I can.  I use a lot of the Spotsticker Pro heads and they have a flat side to stand the bait up.  In order for that feature to work, I have to have pretty solid contact with the bottom.  I don't like tungsten for shakeyheads because I get too much feedback from the bottom.  I want the bottom feel to be "soft" if that makes sense.  I then can tell the difference between the bottom and a bite much easier.  Now ball head shakeyheads are different.  I go very light with those.  I stumbled on that while in Wisconsin one year in the heat of summer and I couldn't get bit.  I grabbed a ball head shakeyhead that I swear the hook was heavier than the ball head with a screwlock.  I tore them up with that rig and have used them ever since.  I also have some football head shakeyheads that I use if I am in a lot of rocks.  So you see, shakeyheads as a technique have a LOT of variables.  

On 5/4/2019 at 6:57 PM, MurphD said:

I have researched shaky heads all over the web. Seems like the favorite shaky head for a tough bite is either 1/8 or 3/16 oz. I’ve always used a 1/4oz tungsten because I can feel the bottom so well. I don’t like 1/8 at all...I just never seem to be able to feel anything with it. 

 

Do y’all find that you get more bites with the 3/16oz?

The "Godfather of Shakey Head" (Jeff Kriet) would tell you that 3/16th oz. shakey head weight is reserved for deeper water , wind or current . About as heavy as I have seen Jeff use a shakey head is generally 1/8th oz. (or less) . Dropping down to #10 lb. braid with a Seaguar or Sunline FC #8 lb. leader . There are numerous high quality shakey heads found on TW to buy - many developed by well known shakey head experts using excellent designs with good reviews  which you can read and learn from .

No problem choosing a weight for me on the Potomac, always moving and really fast with an outgoing tide.  A 1/4oz keeps it pretty much where I want it to stay in most locations out the main current.

On my home lake probably 80% of people are throwing a shakey head with a trick worm.  It is a deep, clear, spotted bass reservoir.  Everyone I know throws a 1/4 ounce shakey head and for the most part everyone is throwing a spot sticker.  I will step down to a lighter shakey head if the fish are super shallow early in the spring but I think spinning gear is a necessity. 

On May 4, 2019 at 3:57 PM, MurphD said:

I have researched shaky heads all over the web. Seems like the favorite shaky head for a tough bite is either 1/8 or 3/16 oz. I’ve always used a 1/4oz tungsten because I can feel the bottom so well. I don’t like 1/8 at all...I just never seem to be able to feel anything with it. 

 

Do y’all find that you get more bites with the 3/16oz?

Try weighing the jigs very few actually weight what they are labeled, plus or minus 1/16 oz is more likely 1/8 oz difference.

Tom