How do you shake your rod?

[johnsmith]

I know this question sounds like a joke, but I actually have questions. I was fishing a shaky a head but everytime I tried to shake my rod, it either hops a little bit or I just shake the line instead. I know the worm is loaded with salt so could be just the bait, but do you keep slack on the line and shake it?

[CrankFate]

Both?

[throttleplate]

? i always have slack in my line unless i constantly bring the rod up and reel in a bit. Mostly i just let the line and lure do what it wants to due, slack line i dont care untill i move it again.

[geo g]

I would suggest you find a pool and test your techniques where you can easily see the bait move.  I often shake my rod tip  without winding and then slowly pull it a short distance and do it again.  This works great with a Senko weightless.  Lots of movement with very little forward motion.  Works great on those tough days when they are not out chasing baits.

[Smells like fish]

I was always told if you shake it more than once you’re playing with it.

[WRB]

This could go south fast!

Casting reel I shake the reel handle.

Spinning Shake the rod tip.

Tom

[Deleted account]

16 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

I was always told if you shake it more than once you’re playing with it.

I thought it was twice?

[Smells like fish]

You might be right @BassWhole! I always figured it was mine and I’d shake it as many times as I want so I didn’t pay much attention to them. 

[lo n slo]

29 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

I was always told if you shake it more than once you’re playing with it.

guilty as charged 

[Munkin]

31 minutes ago, WRB said:

This could go south fast!

 

Tom

 

Decided against my original reply since I don't need anymore warning points.

 

Allen

[fishwizzard]

I tap the blank with my finger, it makes the plastic twitch  around w/o moving the lure. 

[Michigander]

I usually move the tip down and then up quickly but lightly enough that the resistance of the line/lure can stop the rod.

[papajoe222]

If I don't want the jig to move, just the worm, I shake the slack line once and pause/repeat/pause and then move the jig.

[jbsoonerfan]

4 hours ago, geo g said:

I would suggest you find a pool and test your techniques where you can easily see the bait move.  I often shake my rod tip  without winding and then slowly pull it a short distance and do it again.  This works great with a Senko weightless.  Lots of movement with very little forward motion.  Works great on those tough days when they are not out chasing baits.

This x1000

 

You would be amazed at what a small amount of movement will do to your bait.

[johnsmith]

I just reread the title and now I realize what’s going on 

[Catt]

8 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

If I don't want the jig to move, just the worm, I shake the slack line once and pause/repeat/pause and then move the jig.

 

Movement without movement ?

 

Ya want your lure to have movement without moving forward.

 

I do this with Shakey Heads, Texas Rigs, Jig-n-Craws, Wacky Rigs,  pretty much any bottom contact lure.

[Fishin Dad]

10 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Movement without movement ?

 

Ya want your lure to have movement without moving forward.

 

I do this with Shakey Heads, Texas Rigs, Jig-n-Craws, Wacky Rigs,  pretty much any bottom contact lure.

Catt,

How long do you usually keep a bait in the same spot and shake it there before you move it?   I know different circumstances dictate movement, but in general?

[galyonj]

8 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

This x1000

 

You would be amazed at what a small amount of movement will do to your bait.

 

And, further, how little movement at the tip of the rod it takes to cause a lot of movement down at the lure.

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Catt,

How long do you usually keep a bait in the same spot and shake it there before you move it?   I know different circumstances dictate movement, but in general?

 

Depends on how aggressive the bass are, shallow water vs deepwater, spring, summer, fall, or winter.

 

During the Dog Days of Summer I may keep it one spot for as long as a minute or two.

 

Many here will tell you the bass hit on the initial fall & that is true but many times in offshore structure ya gotta slow drag or short stroke it with pauses in between.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Shake the rod with a semi slack line

[geo g]

10 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

Catt,

How long do you usually keep a bait in the same spot and shake it there before you move it?   I know different circumstances dictate movement, but in general?

 

Catt it all depends on the mood of the fish that day.  There is NO definite on technique.  It’s all up to the bass.  Try different stuff until you get bit.  Then if it works twice you may be onto the pattern that day.

[Fishin Dad]

1 hour ago, geo g said:

 

Catt it all depends on the mood of the fish that day.  There is NO definite on technique.  It’s all up to the bass.  Try different stuff until you get bit.  Then if it works twice you may be onto the pattern that day.

I agree.   I think too often I struggle with patience and wanting to move to get on fish and probably leave fish that I didn’t give time to bite.   I am going to work on soaking my bait a little longer when I am in a fishy spot.  That’s my goal at least.  

[E-rude dude]

So the question is how do you get your shakey head to shake????????

 

very carefully in all instances ?

 

Just let the water current give it action and make the bait hop in small movements 

[huZZah]

I was doing shaky head today at a public park “lake”. 6’ deep at most, very windy.  In the shallow edge I could see my rig sitting there so I experimented shaking it up and down, side to side, etc.  I am using 20lb braid with a floro leader and the shaking slack line didn’t move it at all. I had to at least get some tension on the line. Then I bumped on the rod with my other hand like someone said above and that got it wiggling without moving the bait. And then a nice 1.5lb bass came and jacked my bait and I just kinda pulled up and pulled him out. 
 

So that’s what I’m gonna do from now on. ?

 

But honestly, the wind was doing most of the work. It was pretty cool to see my worm tail floating and “undulating” (mmm talk slower) just on slack line.