What is your favorite rod for throwing a Shakey head? Spinning or baitcaster?  I use a 7' Shimano Crucial M power.  Is that too flimsy to get solid hookups?

Medium 7ft xps rod and a pflueger presidente spinning reel. 12lb test florocarbon. I have no trouble with hook-ups. This was the first combo I have ever bought and I love it. I usually buy the rod and reel separate because combos never seem to match but these two were made for each other. 8-)

If possible, go with a Medium Heavy rod.

The length depends on how you will fish the rig.

If you want to skip it under docks, trees and bushes then a 6 or 6 1/2 foot rod is great.

If you want to throw it out and bring it back to the boat Texas rigged style then you can go with a 7 foot rod.

If you like to pitch and flip it along the shore then a 6 1/2 or 7 foot rod is great.

You can do all this with a Medium Heavy 6 1/2 foot spinning rod with a Shimano 2500 spinning reel of your choice or any other major brand name reel.

I have found that a Medium Heavy rod gives you a better hook set and you can change out to a wack, Texas-rigged, drop shot or split-shot presentation and still have the power to set the hook.

However, it is a personal preference and you just have to experiment to find out which technique you like and which rod power and length is the best for you.