Shaky Head Problem

[Saint Paul Dan]

A shaky head worm has become a real confidence bait for me over the past few years. Even though its considered a finesse bait, it's produced some really big bass for me.

One problem: I've noticed fish can swallow the hook if you don't notice the bite immediately. This first occured when fishing with my father who isn't an avid angler, so I assumed he wasn't feeling the initial bite and allowed the fish to swallow it like live bait. Then it happened to me a few times as well, so I've basically cut this bait out of my arsenal.

I've had most success on 1/16oz jig heads and think its possible the light weight jig might be prohibiting me from feeling the initial strike... With that said, I've had minimal to zero success on heavier shaky jig heads. Any suggestions or advice on why this might be happening or how to prevent it?

[Deitz Dittrich]

If not fishing tournments... or for that fact even if you are.. pinch the barb down, it will make for unhooking a lot easier.. and far less damage to the fish.

[RK]

Hiya -

Are you hiding the hook point in the bait's body, or fishing an exposed hook? I rarely find a need to hide the hook point unless I'm fishing really heavy coontail. If you fish a light head and pay attention you can fish an exposed hook jigworm through some pretty thick stuff. The exposed head is a lot easier to hook fish with, and a lot of the time when they suck it in the hook will catch and make them react, so it's easier to detect strikes before they swallow the thing.

That having been said, whether it's hidden or exposed hook points, with jigworms, you really, REALLY have to be a line watcher. I don't think I actually feel that many hits when I fishg a jigworm. You just see the line twitch. Hooksets are free, so when in doubt, set. Jig fishing really is a skill technique, and you have to learn over time what you're seeing and feeling.

Watch where your line enters the water - easiest place to see the line jump.

As far as jighead weights, I fish as light as I can get away with. Most often that's a 3/32 oz. If it's windy I'll go up to 1/8 or occasionally 3/16 oz, but not often.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Saint Paul Dan]

Thank you guys for the advice... Very much appreciated.