soft plastics

[thinkingredneck]

I don't know much about shaky head, vs free swinging hooks on ball heads, vs rage rig, vs  Trig.  I àlways thought Shaky head was a light weight small bait , finesse deal. But people seem to use everything on them.  I would like to learn your thoughts on when to use these techniquesand what baits you like.

[Choporoz]

12 minutes ago, thinkingredneck said:

I don't know much about shaky head, vs free swinging hooks on ball heads, vs rage rig, vs  Trig.  I àlways thought Shaky head was a light weight small bait , finesse deal. But people seem to use everything on them.  I would like to learn your thoughts on when to use these techniquesand what baits you like.

This is a very gross oversimplification, as there's LOTS of variables and choices may just depend on how a feel that day....but, here's sort of how I view/choose:

 

shaky:  most of the work is done standing still

swinging:  most of the work is done dragging - moving fairly slow

rage rig:  most of the work is done straight fall and swimming off the bottom

trig:   falling, dragging, dead-sticking

 

for me, I ALWAYS have a rage rig on deck and use it the most; if I'm fishing straight worms, I will usually use a trig.  Again, this is very generalized and most presentations can be done with any of those as your terminal tackle

[TOXIC]

Originally, a shakey head was exactly that....a head design with the hook eye and jig head at the proper angle for standing the bait up.  Now it's more of a technique.  To me, a shakey head will always be a finesse (I don't ledge fish) technique on a head that stands up when worked on the bottom.  I prefer the Spot Sticker style which has a flat front side.  Since it has become more popular there have been many variances to the jig head.  A Ned rig is finesse but with a different head style and if you look at them, all of the others you mentioned can use the same or similar baits with the only difference being the jig head or how it's attached.