Shakeyhead question

[WorstHunterEver]

I am interested in his technique as I think it can only help my fishing. One thing I noticed in all that I have read is that everyone uses spinning gear to fish shakeyheads on and I am wondering why exactly....is it simply because generally small worms with very light weights can be difficult to cast on casting gear? Or is there some other advantage to working a shakeyhead on spinning gear?

I don't own a spinning rod/reel and am really interested in learning to fish this way, so I would really like to hear opinions on this.

[skeet210]

The light weight makes casting easier to fish using spinning gear. I on the other hand can't stand spinning gear so I bought a rod and reel intended for light tackle and upgraded bearings to make casting easier as well. My setup for shaking is a TD-SOL with Boca os bearings and a powell 702c rod with 8# flouro. I think it's mainly a matter of personal preference.

[steve1206]

You also get better feel and a better, more consistent drag with a spinning set up in addition to the casting benefit. I have a couple of sweet Loomis sjr 782 (6'6" med) GLXs for as well if you need a great shaky head spinning rod. Sorry for the shameless plug.

[TideChaser]

I fish shakeyheads often. My best setup for this is a 7 foot St. Croix Premier ML rod with a Shimano Sahara 1000 with 8 lb test. I usually use 1/8 oz heads 90% of time and this for me is one sweet setup for this technique. It is also fairly inexpensive. This setup can also be used as a drop shot rod if needed and small weight less worms.

[shakeyhead]

go with a spinnig rod and reel. i was the same as you. i didnt have a spinnig rod and learned on a b/c. when i tryed a friends spinning rod to shakyhead i was amazed. i use a 7ft american rodsmith titanium with a bps extreme reel. i would use nuthing but floro on your rig. i use 8 to 10lb. if you are just trying to get started in this technique and want to try to get in fairly cheep i would go to walmrt and get a abu cardinal reel and an abu rod. i cant think of the name of the rod tho. its an im7 rod. try to get a 7ft. med hvy. one. its a decent set up for this. i got my wife this set up and she can do everything i can with an expensive set up. i have used it alot and it really doesnt seem any different than my setup.

[WorstHunterEver]

Sounds like I might have to go shopping and give it a try

[BCapes]

2 advantages to using a spinning reel:

1. The bait falls perfectly vertical after the cast. With a baitcaster, the bait tends to glide back toward you in the water column on the initial fall.

2. It is much easier to skip docks with light baits (ala shakeyheads) on spinning gear

I prefer a 6 foot rod for all my shakeyheading too - easier to control.

[jdw174]

I use a 7' AllPro MH rod with a Sahara 1000 spooled with 20lb powerpro. Leader is 12lb SST line. The rod has a little lighter tip than most other MH spinning rods.

[Hatten]

I know people will probably think I'm crazy, but if you don't want to or can't spend a lot of money on a shakey head setup do like I did. Go to wal-mart and you can either buy an abu garcia cardinal 102 spinning reel and a 6' or 6 1/2' abu garcia conolon premier spinning rod med. action. The rod I think is around $45 and the reel I'm not to sure about. But I think they sell a combo package with the abu garcia 302 cardinal reel and a Fenwick Venture 7' 2 piece rod med. action for $65.


Modified by Hatten at 3:47 AM 1/13/2011

[Ridge Runner_20]

We fish a TON of shakeyheads / dartheads out here in the west, most in the 3/32oz-1/4oz range, and on line testing from 4#-8#. While you could fish the slightly heavier stuff on casting tackle, it's just more manageable with spinning gear. Years ago, casting reels were FAR superior to spinning reels in both performance and quality (especially the drag), but that's not really the case anymore. That being said, there's no longer any good reason to shun the spinning tackle, particularly since it manages light line much more easily.

Just as an aside, I use a Powell 682 and 702 for 99% of my shakeyhead and dropshot fishing, paired with Pflueger President size 30 spinning reels. Works great for me!





RR_20

[Hatten]

Nice fish Ridge Runner_20.

[steve1206]

I LOVE<u></u> big spots.

[mrick]

I use the following baitcast rod for my shakeyhead fishing. Works pretty good.

All Star
TIS TR1-SH-Trout/Redfish Special Short Handle 1/16-3/8 6-12 Moderate L