What's Your Shakeyhead Gear

[War Eagle 44]

The fishing has really gotten tough here over the last couple of weeks, gone are the afternoons of 10 to 15 fish on the A-Rig. I've had to break out the spinning equipment and shakeyhead in order to catch fish consistently now. I hadn't fished with one in a while and forgot just how much fun and how effective this technique can be. I used it this afternoon to get three quality bass in the boat.  

 

So it got me thinking about the technique in general and the gear used to fish them so I thought I'd start a thread about it. So lets talk shakeyheadin', anything you feel like sharing on the subject please do because I can always stand to learn something new that might help me catch a few more fish. 

 

The setup I use most often for this technique is a Powell Max 683 with a Symetre 3000FJ mounted on. I'm currently spooled up with 20# PPS8S green main line and run a 15# P-Line fluorocarbon leader. My favorite head is the Owner Shakey Ultrahead in 3/16oz, green. This is the "set up" I start with 95% of the time and make adjustments from there. If I do change something it's mostly head weight or color.  

 

The worm I use most is the NetBait T-Mac in a variety of colors. If I were forced to pick my favorite color I think I'd go with Paca Melon. It's a great color for spots for some reason, so much so that I always have at least two packs in the boat. I also like A Magic, KeyLime Pie, Bama Bug, and a few others. I also enjoy using the Zoom Shakey Head worm, here I only go with one color, greenpumpkin. I ALWAYS dye the tail chartreuse on my Zoom worms and they work great as well.

 

As I said please post anything related to this topic you like, rods, reels, line, baits, heads, whatever. Any tips that work for you and pics if you have them. Thanks fellas.    

[Bluebasser86]

Rod-6' 10" M/XF St Croix LTB

Reel-2500 Stradic CI4

Line-10lb Seaguar Red Label

jighead-homemade 1/8 or 3/16 ballhead with screwlock and flat eye Mustad black nickel hook

worm-Zoom GP/red flake

[JDUB]

7'1" medium *** ***

Abu Garcia cardinal stx20

20lb power pro with a 10lb flouro leader

3/16 or 1/4 Ball head unless it's rocky then I use a football head

Roboworm or zoom trick worm greens or purples

I like to fish it with slow drags and shakes maybe a hop or 2

[Hooligan]

Spinning is a NRX SHR822 with a Stella 2500

Or a Cumara A 6-8 MXF with a Stradic 2500

Casting I use my Cumara 7-2 MXF with a CH51MG more than anything.

As far as heads, I use more Chompers and Owner than anything, mostly 3/16 but I have weights in 1/16 all the way up to 5/8. Just depends on the lake and the day.

[War Eagle 44]

Spinning is a NRX SHR822 with a Stella 2500Or a Cumara A 6-8 MXF with a Stradic 2500Casting I use my Cumara 7-2 MXF with a CH51MG more than anything.As far as heads, I use more Chompers and Owner than anything, mostly 3/16 but I have weights in 1/16 all the way up to 5/8. Just depends on the lake and the day.

How's the Cumara A 6'8" M XF for lures like, say, a finesse jig? I'm asking because I absolutely love the one Cumara A I have and I'm really considering picking up more. I have a first gen Cumara 7'2" MH F that I really like for finesse jigs, shakeyheads, Senko's, and light t-rigs but I'm a little skittish about dropping down to a M power rod for these lures. I know the x-fast action will help with that but I've never fished an x-fast Shimano spining rod before so that's why I'm asking your opinion.

Basically I'll only use it for "bottom contact" lures, in your opinion is it enough rod or is a little more power needed for jigs? If I decided to pick up a new spinning rod I'd like to get one that isn't exactly the same action I already have if I could. Thanks

[Teal]

POWELL 712s, Stradic Fj 2500 10lb Spiderwire, 6lb sniper FC

Castaway Skeleton, 6'6"- Medium, F, Team Lews Pro, 12lbs Sniper FC

Just got the team lews reel, i did have my old Citica on there.

[Hooligan]

I fish a lot of Northstar Hairy Craw and finesse jigs on it and it handles them fine. I've actually upsides line on that rod and turned it into a rod that I skip with a lot, too. I've gotten quite a few of the Cumara A this year, something like 15 of them. I've backed away from the NRX more and more and fish the HM1 Cumara. They're treating me extremely well thus far.

[rockchalk06]

I fish a lot of Northstar Hairy Craw and finesse jigs on it and it handles them fine. I've actually upsides line on that rod and turned it into a rod that I skip with a lot, too. I've gotten quite a few of the Cumara A this year, something like 15 of them. I've backed away from the NRX more and more and fish the HM1 Cumara. They're treating me extremely well thus far.

Would you say you like the Cumara over the NRX? I'm upgrading my jig rod next year and either going with an NRX or a GLX. I love my GL2 I'm using now, but I gotta try something higher grade

[Sam]

War Eagle, are you aware that the 2014 Bassmaster Classic will be in B'ham next year?

 

You are so lucky to have it in your back yard. Great event and you will not only have a great time but be sure to bring a plastic bag for all of the freebies and a black Sharpie to get caps and shirts autographed by the pros and other VIPs.

 

Regarding your query, my shaky head setup consists of:

Rod - G. Loomis NRX822SYR 7-foot 10-inch Medium Extra Fast Shaky Head Rod

Reel- Shimano Stradic 2500FI spinning reel

Line - 6 or 8 pound flourocarbon line of your choice. Try YoZuri.

Hook - Double Secret jig head from one of the pros. usually a 1/16 or 1/8. PM me and I will give you the details.

Knot - Palamor

 

Remember this is a "finesse" presentation so use the lightest line you can on a spinnnig rig and flip and pitch to your heart's content.

 

Remember to yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set that hook!!!

 

Let us know what you select for your setup.

[Sam]

By the way, I like the Zoom trick worms for my shaky head rig.

 

You can rig it "Texas" style or go with the "wacky" setup which is a totally different approach.

 

Be sure to dip tail in lime or yellow JJs Magic and swarth the plastics in MegaStrike, just like the sauce on the ribs at Dreamland.

[ww2farmer]

Spinning: St Croix Mojo 6'8" M/XF w/Shimano Sonora 2500FB, 15lb Power Pro braid, with an 8 or 10lb Seaguar Red Label fluoro leader.

 

Casting: St Croix Legend Tournament 7' M/F w/Shimano Curado 51E, 20lb Power Pro braid, with a 12 or 15lb Seaguar Red Label fluoro leader.

 

Heads: Strike King Tour Grade ball head in 1/8, 3/16,1/4 oz. or SK TG football heads in 1/8, 1/4, or 3/8 oz.

 

Worms: Whatever my favorite 4" to 6" straight tail worm is at the moment. I have used Zoom, Strike King, Robo, Berkley, Netbait, etc.....they all work, and they all work well. I like green pumpkin, junebug, watermelon candy, watermelon, watermelon red flake.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Rod: 7'2" Shimano Clarus Worm & Jig series spinning (M/XF)

Reel: Shimano Stradic 3000FJ

Main Line: PowerPro 30lb. braid (moss green)

Leader: PLine 15lb. Flouroclear (6-8')

Jighead: Confidence Baits 1/8oz Draggin' Head

Lure: PowerTeam Lures 5" Finicky Tickler

 

Straight up money!!!

[Arv]

Dobyns Champ 702c, Curado 51e, 10# Sunline Sniper. I've liked the Yum Punkin'Ed heads at 1/4oz with a Zoom Trick Worm. Still can't believe I haven't gotten a bottle of JJ's with all good things said about their product. I like dragging the rig along the bottom slowly, single hopping it every once in a while and when I run into cover, I stay and shake it a few times, hop it over and shake a few more times.

[lmbfisherman]

For shaky head I use these -

 

Avid 6'6" M/F paired with a Daiwa Lexa 12lb Yo Zuri

 

Cumara 6'9" MH/XF paired with a Curado 50E 8lb Floroclear

 

Airrus Ultra XL MH/F Spinning paired with Abu Garcia Cardinal Agenda, 15lb braid - that I'll use with a floro leader.  - This is my favorite spinning rod (possibly change once I fish my new ML/XF Crucial), even though it's rated MH/F it really has a very soft tip and fights fish well.  To me I feel acts more like a Medium. 

 

Haven't found a favorite lure yet, I'm still trying out different ones until I find the right one.  I did buy some local guy shaky head and it looks pretty good.  I'm itching to try it out! 

[Hooligan]

Would you say you like the Cumara over the NRX? I'm upgrading my jig rod next year and either going with an NRX or a GLX. I love my GL2 I'm using now, but I gotta try something higher grade

In all honesty, I do like the Cumara A series over the NRX. There isn't a huge discernible difference in sensitivity between them and the warranty on Cumara rods is outstanding. One of the largest differences, really, is the weight of the rods. The NRX is considerably lighter, but for the money and the sensitivity, the Cumara is excellent.

That said, I didn't list all of the GLX rods I have been fishing this year. I've transitioned the vast majority of my NRX stock to the GLX and have found that I actually prefer the GLX tapers to the NRX. I feel the GLX is more consistent and powerful than the NRX. I'd say that I am about 50/50 Cumara to GLX at this point. The 853, 854, 855 and 802 and 803 are rapidly becoming mainstay rods- more and more they're on the deck beside the Cumara rods with the doubles of the Cumara still in the rod locker.

Now, in the SHR, the NRX whoops everything else. There is just something about that rod that strikes my fancy.

[Fishes in trees]

I generally keep 2 rods rigged for shaky head fishing.   I keep a spinning rod with 8 lb fluorocarbon for 1/4 or 3/16 oz baits.  For anything larger I have a 7' pitching rod and 14 lb fluorocarbon.  I am more likely to use the pitching rod and heavier line, mostly due to the gnarly cover I generally fish around.

[lmbfisherman]

In all honesty, I do like the Cumara A series over the NRX. There isn't a huge discernible difference in sensitivity between them and the warranty on Cumara rods is outstanding. One of the largest differences, really, is the weight of the rods. The NRX is considerably lighter, but for the money and the sensitivity, the Cumara is excellent.

That said, I didn't list all of the GLX rods I have been fishing this year. I've transitioned the vast majority of my NRX stock to the GLX and have found that I actually prefer the GLX tapers to the NRX. I feel the GLX is more consistent and powerful than the NRX. I'd say that I am about 50/50 Cumara to GLX at this point. The 853, 854, 855 and 802 and 803 are rapidly becoming mainstay rods- more and more they're on the deck beside the Cumara rods with the doubles of the Cumara still in the rod locker.

Now, in the SHR, the NRX whoops everything else. There is just something about that rod that strikes my fancy.

A little off topic, lol...but I am thinking of adding another GLX rod..I was thinking of getting the 855, but would like your advice if that would be a better compliment to my 853, 854 and 894?  The other I was leaning towards was a 893 NRX, but since you are saying the Cumara is comparable, would the GLX 893 be a better buy option I'm assuming than the NRX?  I was thinking of using the 855 as a Carolina Rig rod and double as a heavy spinnerbait rod. 

[Hooligan]

Don't get me wrong, the NRX is definitely more sensitive than the Cumara, but it is ultra small things that you're feeling.  It's not about takes or hits when you're defining that sort of thing.  It's about a leaf on bottom when you're dragging a jig over pea gravel.  The NRX will tell you that, the Cumara doesn't necessarily transmit that 100%.

The 855 would be fine for C-Rigs but not my choice in a spinnerbait rod at all. 

In terms of the 893 GLX versus the NRX, I don't think there's enough difference in the rod and resins to justify the price difference anymore.  The GLX is an astounding rod and will give 99.99% of the anglers more information than they can process to begin with- myself included some times.  The 894GLX is probably becoming my favorite jig rod for deep water...

Anyhow- shoot me a pm if you've got more questions.

/derailment-over

[iabass8]

St. Croix Legend Xtreme 69mlxf

Stradic 1000fj

6# suffix 832/7# fluoro leader or later in the year straight 7# fluoro

1/8-3/16 secret lures wide gap or SK football heads most of the time

zoom finesse/trick worms, robo worms, rage baby craws

[KevO]

6'8" M XF Shimano crucial w/ Shimano stradic 2500 FH 6# Sunline finesse flouro 1/8-1/4oz

7'2" MH XF shimano crucial w/ Shimano stradic 2500 FI 8# Sunline finesse flouro 3/8-1/2oz

7'2" MH XF Cumara w/ Shimano Core 100mg 12# Sunline shooter - anything over 1/2 oz or a larger profile bait

[Felix77]

Rod/Reel:  6'6" MM Spinning Abu Garcia

Line:  10lb PowerPro Braid with 8lb Seaguar Red Label Fluoro

Head:  Megastrike e2 Finesse

Worm:  Strike King Finesse Worm (Green Pumpkin) OR Zoom Finesse

[Chris at Tech]

St Croix Avid 69MLXF

Stradic 2500 FH

10 lb Sufix braid w/ 8 lb Seaguar fluoro leader

[rockchalk06]

In all honesty, I do like the Cumara A series over the NRX. There isn't a huge discernible difference in sensitivity between them and the warranty on Cumara rods is outstanding. One of the largest differences, really, is the weight of the rods. The NRX is considerably lighter, but for the money and the sensitivity, the Cumara is excellent.

That said, I didn't list all of the GLX rods I have been fishing this year. I've transitioned the vast majority of my NRX stock to the GLX and have found that I actually prefer the GLX tapers to the NRX. I feel the GLX is more consistent and powerful than the NRX. I'd say that I am about 50/50 Cumara to GLX at this point. The 853, 854, 855 and 802 and 803 are rapidly becoming mainstay rods- more and more they're on the deck beside the Cumara rods with the doubles of the Cumara still in the rod locker.

Now, in the SHR, the NRX whoops everything else. There is just something about that rod that strikes my fancy.

Cool thanks. I really like the look of the GLX. Black shaft with the multicolored cork rocks

[JCiurej34]

My set up:

6' 10" Medium Power Extra Fast Action St. Croix Legend Tournament 

3000 Shimano Stradic FJ

10lb Sunline Fluorocarbon

 

The shaky heads I use are the Megastrike Shake2 Pro Model Shaky heads or the Jewel Bait Jeff Kriet Squirrel Head jigs.

[livetofish28]

St croix legend tournament spinning 6'10 m x-fast with revo sx 30 10# power pro with 10 pound red label fluoro leader