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Shake It Up

By Jim Crowley
Jim@hookandhunttv.com
www.HookAndHuntTV.com

Flippin, pitchin, cranking, ripping, stroking, plinking, frogging and Carolina rigging! Unless you fish, your probably saying to yourself, "Its like he's speaking another language!" These are all words used mostly by bass fisherman to say how they have been catching fish. I know there are some that I left out, but there is also one that I need to add. "Shakin" has been all the rage the last couple of years and I used this technique a lot this past season. It's caught on to the extent that numerous tackle manufactures such as Bite-Me Tackle, Reaction Innovations and even Bass Pro-Shops have come out with they're own version of the shaky head. Northland Tackle (www.northlandtackle.com) has their version called the Jungle Jig- Loc and I have used it in numerous situations. Fishing a "shaky head" has become a common term and used correctly and with the right equipment will, with out question get you more bites, and put more fish in your boat. The technique is user friendly and the trick is in the shake. I will go over my set up and how I use it, and it will be easy for you to see how you can match your own equipment accordingly.

This is not a power technique. It's more along the lines of a finesse presentation but I hesitate to say that because that term is not only over used, its mostly used out of context.

So, you will need a medium-to-medium light-spinning rod between 6' and 6.5 feet in length. I prefer the Pflueger Trion 6'3, which has a medium action and pair that with a spinning reel and 8 pound test line. I have tried monofilament, braid and fluorocarbon line for this application. Vanish Transition Fluorocarbon has been the best for working the shaky head for several reasons. The line shows up extremely well above the surface, which is great for light bites and watching line movement. Fluorocarbon line also sinks and with the lightweight jig head that is used (3/16 or less) affords you more control. With hardly any line stretch, hook sets are simple and highly effective. Another advantage is that fluorocarbon line lays flat coming off the spool with very little memory. This allows you to watch the bow in the line, which is a critical aspect, for me, when working the shaky head technique correctly.

As mentioned earlier, of all the "shaky heads" that I have tried, I really like the design of the Northland Jungle Jig-Loc. The jig features an ultra point wide gap hook with an extremely slick weed less head that incorporates a recessed eye. There is a custom designed "corkscrew" worm collar, that can be removed so you can position the worm as you like, and them reattach it to the jig. That is an awesome feature! The jig head when coupled with the plastic of your choice comes through cover very well and hook ups are impressive. When utilizing the shaky head presentation, I prefer a straight tail worm from 4 to 7 inches in length. The straight tail worm adds to the appeal and allure of this rig and to say it's been highly effective for me as well as the clients I have guided would be an understatement.

The technique in itself is very simple and I fish it as follows. The cast is made and the lure is allowed to sink to the bottom on a slack line. Yes, some strikes come on the fall, but more have come due to the technique than the fall of the lure. I hold the rod at about the one o'clock position and make sure there is a slight bow in my line leading from the rod tip to the waters surface. I then lightly "shake" the bow in the line NOT the lure. By doing this, the tail of the straight tail worm, shakes ever so slightly and in a lot of cases becomes irresistible to either small mouth and/or largemouth. Guiding a gentleman and his young son earlier in the year, they were amassed to see the successfulness of this technique when we shared the same area with 3 other boats. As we watched those boats throw deep diving crank baits and large jigs, we shook our straight tail worms to several fish up to 3 pounds while the other boats never boated a fish, much less had a bite that we could see. This is such a simple technique that I am still amassed I do not see more people doing it. Clear to lightly stained water seems to be the preferred watercolor for this technique to be successful. I fish with spinning rods more than I ever have and with good reason, I like to get bit! I have used this technique around dams, boat docks, weed edges, farm ponds and honestly anywhere and anytime when fishing gets tough. There has also been times when I fished it exclusively because its just fun to hook a large fish on light line and enjoy the fight.

With each new season, I have always promised myself to learn something new. Why do we repeatedly use the same old stuff to catch the same fish and then wonder why, at times its effectiveness wears off? Education has and always will be a key to success. The more you learn, the better angler you will become. When times get tough and there are more boats on your favorite lake than you have ever seen or there are numerous anglers fishing your favorite area, relax, slow down, and SHAKE IT UP!!