Shakey Setup suggestions

[blake711]

Ok boys I am a die hard baitcast fellah but since I got the bug again this year I want to grow my skills so its time to get a Shakey Rod with a spinning real.  After searching it looks like most guys say the Shimano Symetre is a good real for the money.  I don't really want to drop more than 100 on the real since I am not sure how much I will use it to begin with.   First question do I want Front or Rear Drag?  Pros/Cons please from you spinning experts.  Second what type of pole should I be looking at ML or M?  Fast?  Length? Thanks guys get me pointed in the right direction please. Oh and on the reels is there a specific model number I need?  I noticed they have 2000/3000 and so on on lots of reals.  I prefer to get one as light as possible that will handle the job.  Exact part# are appreciated or links..

Blake

[Bassthumb]

I would recommend a 6'6" to 7', one piece, M action rod for shaky head applications.  If you want to drop shot with it also, I would use the same, but get a fast tip also.

Most spinning reels are numbered like Chevy trucks (LoL), 1000's are in the ultra light to light category, reels in the 2000's to 3000's are in the "bass"  range, and I consider the 4000+ to be Catfish country.  I recommend your spinning reel to be a 2000 to 2500 model class, front drag, and wide spool. (Best for the $ are BPS Extreme, BPS Pro Qualifier, Johnny Morris, and US Reels).  All can be had for under a hundred, except US reels.  (I personally use the PRO Qualifier 2000 series) and handle all line type quite well.

I usually shaky head with 8# fluorocarbon line (cause the heads tend to snag) and I want the line to break before the rod does.  I have recently, changed my shaky setup to 30# braid (Power Pro), and texas-rig an O' Shaunessy 1/0 light-wire, offset roundbend hook the exact same baits I use on a shaky head.  Top it with w 1/8oz tungsten bullet sinker, and it becomes the most sensitive rod in my arsenal.  (my spinning rods are one Esox 6'6", split grip, drop shot rod in M action with a fast tip, and #2 is an Esox Sterling series , M action spinning rod [this one is a little stiffer for shaky and finesse T-rigging]. I use the light wire hooks to aid in tip protection, when getting snagged...the light wires will bend before the the braid breaks, and you almost always get your rig back, just use pliers and reshape.  I have had no hook failures on hooksets or retrieval of fish up to the 5# range even after repeated straightenings.  I usually, tie on a fresh hook, before each event just to be safe. OBTW, I have mentioned snags several times, cause I tend to use that finesse setup, just like my flipping stick/jig...put it right in the nastiest stuff you can find...if you fish that way, you know that snags are inevitable!

Good luck.

[beast96z]

Not sure why everyone goes light on shakey applications. I use a medium/fast rod with 12lb floro on a baitcaster. Texposing the hook works great, but if around limbs, it will get caught up sometimes. I just make sure to carry alot of jig heads. If it gets hung and I can't retrieve it, I will cut it instead of trying to pull and break. I've caught some very nice fish using this method and could not see testing the limits of 8lb or lighter line. If you don't think you are going to use a spinning rod that much, you should try out a fineese baitcaster. I've found many more applications for that than I can a spinning rod/reel. The BPS Prolite is a excellent finesse reel.

[blake711]

Am I correct in thinking that this would work as a dropshot rig also?   If so my next question what is with the rods with exposed blanks and split handles?  Is this strictly for weight savings or do some people put their other hand on the blank while fishing?

[Baron49]

When I decided to finally try shakey head fishing I was also introduced to drop shotting about the same time.  I ended up with a St. Croix 6'9'' spinning drop shot rod it is a medium light with an extra fast tip, a BPS qualifier wide spool reel ( the smallest one) and spooled up with 10 lb Fireline and have had a ball catching some huge fish on this little outfit.  I don't use a leader when fishing a shakey, but do use 8 or 10 lb fluoro when drop shotting.

[Speedmunkee]

I LOVE throwing a shaky head! In fact I just bought a new setup today. I got a 6'6 medium/fast  St Croix with a Daiwa Tierra 2000. I wanted 2 setups so I could have a drop shot rig at the ready too. My usual combo, which I'm in love with, is a 5'9 medium/extra fast Gator rod and a Symetre 2500fi. I've used this combo for a coupla years but I'm gonna use it more for drop shotting now.
I think the front drag is way smoother than the rear drag. I don''t really know why, other than the friction is closer to the spool.
In summary,  I would recommend a medium action rod with a fast or extra fast tip. ( stiffer quicker action tip) with a quality reel in the $70 to $110 range. Pflueger  also seems to have a nice reel too. I don't remember the name but my best fishin bud has one and really digs it.
Oh, and I only use Berkely fireline on my spinning outfits.
Hope that helps!
Peace.
E

[Beagle]

The Shakey Head does not work down here. If you are using it, you might as well stop and try something else. I would never use it and I would never use it with a CastAway 7ft medium rod and a new Wide Spool BPS spinning reel. I would also never use 30lb PowerPro braid and a 6ft Flouro leader. Zoom Trickworms also do not work on a ShakeyHead. 

[Baron49]

Never say never....

[blake711]

Beagle what series rod is the castaway that you should never fish?

[complac3ncy]

I use a shimano crucial 7' Medium action fast tip with a shimano stradic 2500, rigged with 14lb fireline crystal.

I don't really have a favorite shakey head jig, but I like the picasso screw in heads as well as the strike king shakey heads that have the hookeeper instead of the screw-in.

I like a smaller bait for shallow water and a longer bait for deeper water. Green pumpkin for slightly stained, junebug for stained+, and  watermelon-ish colors for clearer water. I keep a bottle of chartreuse spike-it handy...

I think most will agree that the best shakey head worms are the more bouyant ones.... trick worms, houdini worms, roboworms, berkley gulps, etc. Also yamamoto cut-tails work good as well. My favorite by far is the roboworm straight tail but a close second is the good old zoom trick worm...houdini's I like to use in deeper water.

Notice how i've used "I" alot....    Give the technique some time and practice and you will gain confidence in your own setup.

[ZARASSPOOKY]

Now Beagle, we should never speak of those things that are never done.....oooops 

[Beagle]

Beagle what series rod is the castaway that you should never fish?

Blake, Sorry I haven't got back to you. I am not near it right now. I'm sure it's their cheapest model though. I think I paid $50 this year at Acadamy. I love it. I just got a Cumara baitcaster though and it's the best I've ever felt. I'm afraid I might have a Cumara spinning rod soon also.

[Beagle]

Now Beagle, we should never speak of those things that are never done.....oooops 

Finnesse fishing is for sissy's. A real fisherman wouldn't even try it. 

[beast96z]

Blake, Sorry I haven't got back to you. I am not near it right now. I'm sure it's their cheapest model though. I think I paid $50 this year at Acadamy. I love it. I just got a Cumara baitcaster though and it's the best I've ever felt. I'm afraid I might have a Cumara spinning rod soon also.

Stay away man. There addictive. 

[tmiller2]

Blake, Sorry I haven't got back to you. I am not near it right now. I'm sure it's their cheapest model though. I think I paid $50 this year at Acadamy. I love it. I just got a Cumara baitcaster though and it's the best I've ever felt. I'm afraid I might have a Cumara spinning rod soon also.

thats why i havent gotten one yet......i used my buddies one time while drop shottin for smallies in NY i have never felt anything so nice......i couldnt believe it i wanted one right away but i know if i get one its going to turn into 3 or so and i cant afford it.....oh man do i want one tho.......

and i also use 12 lb floro on a 6-6mh baitcaster for my shakey head stuff.....but i go light on the drop shot 6-6ml on 6lb floro

[basser86]

I'm a baitcaster fan when it comes to shakey head fishing.  My outfit is a Falcon Lowrider Eakin's Jig Special (6' 10" MH  3/16 - 5/8 oz.  10-20 lb. test) LFC 51610, with an old style Shimano Curado 100.  I mostly fish 10 lb. Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon or Big Game.  The rod has a really nice soft tip to protect 10 lb. line with some serious butt strength to move a fish when necessary.  I loved this rod so much that I bought another for fishing light texas rigs and finesse jigs.

                                                           Good Luck,
                                                            basser86