Shaky head and wacky rod

[FishTax]

I'm looking to get a new rod to throw typically 1/8 shaky heads and weightless senkos on. I really prefer casting as I am inaccurate and can't skip well with spinning, nor to I generally enjoy spinning. 

 

Who here is throwing these baits on casting gear, and what type power/action rod do you like? 

[PBBrandon]

A medium/fast casting rod should handle those with ease. Get whatever length suits your needs, I prefer rods around 7ft or a little longer. 
 

I typically throw 1/8 shakys and weightless t-rigged senkos on a 7’2” MF casting Okuma Psycho stick with a 7.1:1 Alphas SV shallow spool.

 

The Psycho Stick is a really great rod. The handle is a Seaguide I believe instead of Fuji like most rods. So it’s a bit thinner if that’s something you’re looking for. Great action, sensitivity is good, and it keeps fish pinned once they are on. I wrestled a 5-6lb smallie on mine last year and it held up well.

 

What’s your budget? There are a lot of good shaky/senko rods at many different price points.

[FishTax]

Thanks @PBBrandon ! Budget is as low as possible  , I like to get good rods on great sales, or used so I can have quality gear at lower prices. That means many times I wait a while before finding the right rod. I'd like to be around $100 or less, which should get me into the 150-200 price point if I find the right deal! 

[MediumMouthBass]

@FishTax Check out the Daiwa Aird X medium fast casting rod, can be purchased between $35-55 depending on sales throughout the year. Its a great rod, i have rods from Lews, Dobyns, Abu Garcia, even a $275 St Croix, but usually the 5-6 rods i take on the kayak are 80% Aird X's. Tons of reviews and praises on Bass resource too. Ive hit mine on ceilings, threw them on the ground, caught tons of fish up to 10lbs, wacked them into trees, countless hours of them sliding around the back of the truck bed and 14 out of 16 of them still are like new (other 2 have broken top guide from accidentally shutting tail gate on them).

[PBBrandon]

3 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

@FishTax Check out the Daiwa Aird X medium fast casting rod, can be purchased between $35-55 depending on sales throughout the year. Its a great rod, i have rods from Lews, Dobyns, Abu Garcia, even a $275 St Croix, but usually the 5-6 rods i take on the kayak are 80% Aird X's. Tons of reviews and praises on Bass resource too. Ive hit mine on ceilings, threw them on the ground, caught tons of fish up to 10lbs, wacked them into trees, countless hours of them sliding around the back of the truck bed and 14 out of 16 of them still are like new (other 2 have broken top guide from accidentally shutting tail gate on them).

Aird X’s punch way above their price point. Best rod under 75-100 bucks. Other lines to look for if they dip below 100 are the Daiwa Tatula line and the Dobyns Fury. I also hear Ark rods getting a lot of love on this site

[FishTax]

I have the MH/f airdx and am happy with it. I'll definitely keep an eye out. Looks like the m/f is only rated for 1/4 oz. I'd like to be able to throw lighter than that, I wonder if I should look into ML? Sierra has a ML/f lews custom lite on clearance $100 off for $70, I'm not sure if that'd have enough backbone or not? I'm tempted to buy and try it, just because I like a good deal 😎

[MediumMouthBass]

Their ratings on that rod seem off "1/4-3/4" i wouldnt want to throw a 1/2oz lipless on that rod let alone a 3/4oz lure. I use my MH for 1/2oz-3/4oz and my Medium for 1/8oz-3-8oz.

A weightless senko weighs around 3/8oz, a 1/8oz jighead with a finesse worm weighs anywhere between 3/16oz to 1/4oz after putting on a worm. And remember for using baitcasters for lures in that range or lighter its more the reel than the rod, i have a Daiwa Tatula SV TW and Shimano SLX MGL and they can throw those lures on that rod or even the MH. I wouldnt go ML i would stick to medium in whatever brand rod you choose. Remember the shaky head jigs have a big strong hook.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

I use M casting gear for SH and wacky rigs around shallow cover.  Although it's not as fun to some, spinning gear is a better tool for both techniques IMO, particularly the wacky rig.  

[FishTax]

27 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I use M casting gear for SH and wacky rigs around shallow cover.  Although it's not as fun to some, spinning gear is a better tool for both techniques IMO, particularly the wacky rig.  

I tend to toss them in a tree with spinning rod. Plus I already have that, the bait monkey says I need something different 🐵

[new2BC4bass]

5 hours ago, FishTax said:

Thanks @PBBrandon ! Budget is as low as possible  , I like to get good rods on great sales, or used so I can have quality gear at lower prices. That means many times I wait a while before finding the right rod. I'd like to be around $100 or less, which should get me into the 150-200 price point if I find the right deal! 

Can't help with your question, but this is also the way I like to buy my rods and reels.  My best ever buy was a brand new $300 spinning rod for $75 shipped.  Best deal on a reel was $65 shipped for a used baitcast reel in excellent condition that cost $250 new.  Gotta love deals like this! 

 

[FishTax]

@new2BC4bass I probably end up spending more in the end buying stuff on sale because I get so much I don't need. My best deal was when the pure fishing coupons leaked last year. I got a Revo X ($120) for $30 by stacking coupons and promotions. Sure wish I could get that deal again, looking back I should have bought 5 of them! 

[new2BC4bass]

18 minutes ago, FishTax said:

@new2BC4bass I probably end up spending more in the end buying stuff on sale because I get so much I don't need. My best deal was when the pure fishing coupons leaked last year. I got a Revo X ($120) for $30 by stacking coupons and promotions. Sure wish I could get that deal again, looking back I should have bought 5 of them! 

Nice!  I've never used coupons.  I did buy a Patriarch and Supreme XT when they were being closed out at over 50% off list.   Like you I have way more than I need because of not being able to resist such deals.  Plus I enjoy trying different rods and reels.

[ChrisD46]

I use Dobyns Sierra 702 and 793 SF rods with braid plus FC leader . The Sierra’s have a little slower tip which works well with my set up and jerky - fast hookset . 

[FryDog62]

The gold standard: 

NRX 852c and Steez SV TW

 

Less expensive but still skips the weightless wacky worm: 

Phenix Feather 7’1” ML and Alphas SV

 

Anyway you want to do this will require an SV spool IMO.  However, I think the regular Tatula SV TW struggles with a weightless worm. Not quite as refined as the two above… 

[PBBrandon]

4 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I use Dobyns Sierra 702 and 793 SF rods with braid plus FC leader . The Sierra’s have a little slower tip which works well with my set up and jerky - fast hookset . 

Speaking of Sierras, Dobyns has a couple of refurbished 682c rods for 115 each. Shorter rod with a soft tip. Great for skipping and for what you are wanting to throw. If you keep an eye on the refurbished section at Dobyns, you can often see Sierra and Kaden rods get down to 100 bucks. Normally $170-190 rods. Not to mention the lifetime replacement program and the ability to upgrade whenever you want. Great sticks too.