Spinning rod for shakeyhead

[bassboy1]

Those that know me from other places, know full and well that I despise spinning rods.  But, I have been having trouble getting the feel I wanted out of casting rods for shakeyheads, which are a very important bait in my locale.  In my last T, I fished my S-head on a 6'6" spinning rod dad left in the rod locker.  I actually felt the bites on the bait, and didn't just feel some pressure letting me know that I needed to set the hook.  

My casting setup I had been using was a St. Croix Avid - AV68MXF (6'8" Med Extra fast), with a Daiwa Viento (left hand, and I am a righty, so I am working the bait with my dominant hand), and 10 pound Seaguar red label Fluoro.  

But, I have decided that I need to go with a good spinning setup.  What sort of rod would y'all recommend?  I am thinking a 6'8" to 7'2" medium extra fast, but am looking for arguments one way or the other on length.  I am thinking probably sticking with medium, instead of medium heavy, but that is not set in stone.

Thanks,

bassboy1.

[Crappiebasser]

I use a G. Loomis 822 SHR and love it. If you are looking for a cheaper rod my nephew has a BPS Pro-Lite Finesse 6'8" ML that is really almost as good as my Loomis. I think most medium rods are too stiff. I also changed to a 4000 series Shimano Sustain. I found I get a lot less line twist with the larger reel and the extra weight isn't noticeable.

[aarogb]

      I would stick with the meduim power and extra fast for the action of the rod.  As for length I like a long rod about 7'2 (just as you described) to make just a little bit longer cast than I would make with a shorter rod.  

      I know that you did not ask for it but I would make a line poundage change to 8 pound flourocarbon.

[drop-shot fool]

I have the Loomis shakey head rod and love it.  It is very sensitive with a lot of power.  The only draw back is i loose a lot of small fish becuase it rips holes in there mouth.  I have never lost a fish over 3 pounds on it though.  I have caught up to 6lb on it with 10 pound trilene so its power is just right.

[bassboy1]

      I know that you did not ask for it but I would make a line poundage change to 8 pound flourocarbon.

How well does fluoro do on a spinning reel?  I use it exclusively on my casting reels, as we have no thick grass or such to need braid on, but I have hear bad things about fluoro on spinning reels, and never really researched it, due to thinking I would be sticking solely to casting rods the rest of the way through.  

I am a diehard St. Croix Avid guy, but those are costly, and if I can buy used, I would like to, so I am possibly considering a Legend Tournament (might get a used one cheaper than a new Avid), or a Mojo.  Looking at a lot of other companys (Daiwa, All Star, Dobyns), few even make an extra fast.  

St. Croix doesn't have a 7' or 7'2" spinning rod in the right action, in any of the 3 above models.  

They have a 6'8" Medium Extra Fast, and a 6'9" Medium Light, Extra Fast, in all 3 models.

Those are probably my primary choices.  Not really sure which one I should choose from.  I don't think I had a casting problem with my 6'8" Med. XF casting rod, and did notice a bit of increased distance even with the cheapo 6'6" spinning rod I used last week.  

I have usually used 1/4 ounce heads, and 6 inch worms, but that was probably because I couldn't go any smaller with the setup I had (although, swapping the BPS extreme I had on it before with the Viento was a major improvement in the casting department).  

I need to decide between the 68MXF, or the 69MLXF.  Any further suggestions?

Thanks

bassboy1

[David P]

I prefer shaking heading with a baitcaster, I use a Dobyns 702C.

But, when I first started shaking heading, I used a Dobyns 702S (spinning rod) and it worked great. I just don't like using spinning rods unless I really need to.

[aarogb]

How well does fluoro do on a spinning reel?

     To answer your question it does fine for me. Use a little bit of KVD line and lure and it should work fine for you as well.

[Mike T]

bassboy1, FWIW, I am also a fan of the Avid's and will be fishing a shakey head for the first time this year. From what I have learned from this site and other sources is that you are allready very close to what seems to be the optimal set up. I have not used it yet, but have choosen the folowing set-up:

Avid 6'9" ML XF with Daiwa Tierra 2000, YZ Hybrid Ultra Soft 6 or 8 lbs. in green + KVD L&L conditioner.

Note: I also will have the Avid 6'8" M XF with a Tierra 2500 which I will switch too if I don't like the ML for whatever reason.

Also: I was timid to ever go under 10lb line for anything, but allways wanted too for finnese, but if you look at the YZ Hybrid Ultra Soft breakage ratings their way higher than listed # strength; about 75% higher in some cases.

Hope this helps in some way.

[J Francho]

For heavier shaky head baits, I like a somewhat slower rod.  Same for tube jigs as well.  The XF action is very unforgiving when a fish goes ballistic, trying to shake the bait free.  A longer, slower cation rod tames this.  

For the light stuff, I just use my 6-9 m/XF drop shot rod.  Not 100% perfect, but it's very sensitive, yet limber enough to get the job done with baits 5/16 oz. and smaller.