What's Your Favorite Shaky Worm

[.ghoti.]

> Gambler 7” Big Stick (Man-sized version of Giggy Stick)

> Strike King 7” ElazTech Finesse worm (AKA: Cyberflexxx & 3x worm)

There's lots of speak about "shaky heads" but in truth the worm is more critical than the head.

Any worm that's heavier than water (sinking worm) can seriously downgrade

the performance of the jighead. To my knowledge, the highest floating worms available

are the Big Stick and 3x worm. Due to their inherent buoyancy, these two worms

maintain an 'erect tail' that transmits every flick & shake without any help from the jighead.

Roger

There is indeed a lot of talk about "shakey heads". A true shakey head presentation includes a floating bait. In my experience, most of the plastics sold as floating baits simply do not float. The most buoyant baits I've ever found are the Strike King 3X baits. Never tried the Gambler baits Roger mentioned, but I will.

If you are not using a 3X worm, or something as buoyant as 3X, you're fishing a jigworm, not a shakey head. Anything else will fall over and lay flat on the bottom if you leave it in place. Nothing wrong with a jigworm. I've been fishing these since In-Fisherman talked about them decades ago. But, the true shakey head presentation involves leaving the bait in place for extended periods of time. Times long enough for most "floating" baits to fall over. Some jigheads will help stand the bait up, but not for long.

[RoLo]

There is indeed a lot of talk about "shakey heads". A true shakey head presentation includes a floating bait. In my experience, most of the plastics sold as floating baits simply do not float. The most buoyant baits I've ever found are the Strike King 3X baits. Never tried the Gambler baits Roger mentioned, but I will.

If you are not using a 3X worm, or something as buoyant as 3X, you're fishing a jigworm, not a shakey head. Anything else will fall over and lay flat on the bottom if you leave it in place. Nothing wrong with a jigworm. I've been fishing these since In-Fisherman talked about them decades ago. But, the true shakey head presentation involves leaving the bait in place for extended periods of time. Times long enough for most "floating" baits to fall over. Some jigheads will help stand the bait up, but not for long.

EXACTLY!

As Gary pointed out, the word "floating" is sometimes used

on products that sink without a hook (e.g. trick worms).

The most buoyant worm I've ever encountered was the "Strike King 3x Floating Worm".

The problem was, the worm was so light that it had nothing for casting distance

and was eventually discontinued.

I used to reload my own rifle cartridges, and now use my Ohaus grain scale for weighing angling gear.

I'm gong to dig up my notations on worm weights, and what each worm is capable of floating (in grains).

This will take me awhile, and then I'll post it right here in this thread

I'll Be Back,

Roger

[Blues19]

Has anyone ever tried the zoom meat head for s really finesse bite? Ive thought about it but never tried it. Theres a brand in Kentucky named Charmer that has worms that are not salt impregnated so they float straight up on a jig head too.

[Vinny Chase]

Squirrel tail

[RoLo]

-------------------Floating Worm Shootout------------------

WORM BRAND-----------------------------------------BUOYANCY------WORM WGT------ACTUAL LENGTH

Strike King 7” Floating 3x Worm-----------18 grains-----------87 grains-----------6-1/4“ (Discontinued)

Strike King 7” Finesse 3x Worm------------13 grains-----------93 grains-----------6.0”

Gambler 7” Big Stick-------------------------------8 grains----------122 grains----------6-3/4”

BPS Tournament 6” Floating Worm--------7 grains-----------70 grains------------6.0”

Roboworm 6” Zipper Worm---------------------3 grains-----------115 grains----------6-1/2”

Gambler 7” Floating Worm----------------------2 grains-----------110 grains----------6-7/8”

BUOYANCY The amount of weight required to sink the worm (1/64oz = about 7 grains)

WORM WEIGHT Only useful for casting an unweighted topwater worm

Strike King’s old 3x “Floating” worm was the clear winner, but is no longer in production.

Among the top two worms in production, it’s really a tough call.

The 3x Finesse worm gets the nod but the Big Stick has a hollow hind section

where trapped air can easily double the buoyancy.

Roger

[Hooligan]

Has anyone ever tried the zoom meat head for s really finesse bite? Ive thought about it but never tried it. Theres a brand in Kentucky named Charmer that has worms that are not salt impregnated so they float straight up on a jig head too.

Meatheads are a great dropshot bait.

[NJ_BASS]

Really like the big bite baits squirrel tail. The tail floats up and has great action