Shakey Head Setup Question

[Big Stick Joe]

Hey guys.

 

   Just a quick question. Can I use that same style rod for both drop shot and shakey head? 6'6" Med light fast action is the rod I'm talking about.

 

Thanks

Joe

[buzzfrog]

IMO i would not use a ML, I use a M extra fast for my shakies

[lmbfisherman]

IMO i would not use a ML, I use a M extra fast for my shakies

I agree x2.

[motodmast]

I use a ML for DropShot, and a M for a Shakeyhead. But what is the specs on your rod?

[Christian M]

I agree, I would go with at least a 6'10" Med power Fast action rod. With the longer, Med rod, you get longer casts, much better hooksets, and more fighting power. 

[The Fisher]

Falcon Lowrider LFS-4-161 Spinning rod designed for Shaky Head fishing. It's a 6'10" Med Fast. Works real good.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

ML is subjective. It depends on the bait weight and cover. A longer rod will cast further and sometimes you need to in clear shallow water, but I'm not one to always bomb casts out as far as I can. I find myself leaning more towards ML for spinning tackle in general. 

[smalljaw67]

I use a medium power for drop shots and shaky heads but that is because I fish shaky heads more and since I only drop shot occasionally I didn't need a dedicated rod so I use my medium power but if I needed a rod just for drop shots it would be a medium light.

[Big Stick Joe]

Thank you all for your responses. Here are my rods. 

1st. (Just brought today) Abu Garice Vendetta 6'9" ML XF action. The reason why i went out and got this is for 2 reasons. A) It was over $10 cheaper at Walmart than BPS. I'm looking for a 2nd spinning rod for weightless senkos/light T-Rigs/Dropshot

2nd. I've had for 2 years. Its a 6'6" Med power Abu Garcia Cardinal 100i Spinning Reel Combo; 6'0" that i've used for everything. So what you guys are saying is this would be my Shakey head rod?

 

Thanks.

[1234567]

Currently I am going against the grain of traditional shaky head setup.  I am using a 7 ft heavy, 25# Pline CXX and Sieberts Extreme Shakey heads.  No grass is too thick to get them out of now.

[Big Stick Joe]

That's called heavy duty shakey heading lol

[new2BC4bass]

Thank you all for your responses. Here are my rods. 

1st. (Just brought today) Abu Garice Vendetta 6'9" ML XF action. The reason why i went out and got this is for 2 reasons. A) It was over $10 cheaper at Walmart than BPS. I'm looking for a 2nd spinning rod for weightless senkos/light T-Rigs/Dropshot

2nd. I've had for 2 years. Its a 6'6" Med power Abu Garcia Cardinal 100i Spinning Reel Combo; 6'0" that i've used for everything. So what you guys are saying is this would be my Shakey head rod?

 

Thanks.

 

Then you should already be aware that Abu rods fish heavier than the average.  Your ML is probably closer to a M.  My 2 Abu rods definitely are under-rated for power.  I have to go up at least 1/8 oz. from its low end rating to get any kind of distance on the casting model, and even then it needs to be heavier.  Haven't tried my spinning rod yet to see how low of a weight it will handle with any kind of efficiency, but do know it won't throw anything under the low limit of the rod's rating.

[Big Stick Joe]

I'm going fishing tomorrow and plan on trying out this rod and skipping. I will be throwing a weightless senko and 1/8 t-rig just to get a feel of it. As for the "heaviness" I've never noticed it before. This is my 2nd rod from Abu Garica and i liked the first one.

[Teal]

I like a ML spinning rod. I have two of the same ML rod with the same Stradic reel. Only difference is the line on the rod. I like being able to sling a weightless a weightless worm or use a light shakeu head under docks... Yes I use them both for dropshot and shakeys as well as jerkbaits and topwaters.... Just about anything light

I

[Sam]

When you set the hook on a drop shot all you do is raise your rod tip and keep all slack out of your line.

 

When you set the hook on a shaky head you can cross their eyes.

 

Therefore, you can use:

1.  Different rods for each presentation: M for drop shot and MH for shaky head.

2.  A MH rod for both.

 

Drop shot can be fished on very light line. You can go down to 2 pound test.

 

Shaky head is fished on heavier line. You can go down to 8 pound test.

 

So you may do better with a "specific application" rod for drop shot and shaky head techniques.

[Big Stick Joe]

@Sam.

 

Thanks for your post. So are you saying i can't use my ML for any of those presentations? (dropshot or shakey head)

[frogflogger]

You'll probably be fine with the ml - 

[iabass8]

@Sam.

 

Thanks for your post. So are you saying i can't use my ML for any of those presentations? (dropshot or shakey head)

depends on the brand of rod. there is no universal "ml". I use a st. croix 69mlxf which is in between a ml and a m power rod. works perfectly.

[Big Stick Joe]

ok cool. I just have an abu garica rod. I took it out today and even tho it was windy, I could still sling a weightless yum dinger a good distances.