Shaky head vs. jig worm

[Stick in Mud]

Hello fellas,

So I sit here putting my tackle boxes back in order, and I've thought of a question. In which situations do you prefer to use a shaky head vs. a jigworm, and vice versa. Obviously the shaky head is weedless (at least how I rig it), so I assume that, in heavier weeds, the shaky head wins out (at least that how I use it). And in sparse weeds the extra hooking percentage of the exposed hook seems to recommend the jigworm (at least that's how I use it).

How can I refine this presentation? Are there any other important differences between the two presentations that I'm missing?

Carmike

[Deitz Dittrich]

all about bottom content.. If its a softer bottom, jig worm.. if its a rock/hard bottom.. Shakey Head.

[Superduty]

I go with an exposed hook whenever I can. I firmly believe the exposed hook helps catch fish that would not be caught with a buried hook point. I don't know how the bass do it considering the sensitivity level of todays rods, but they have the ability to pick up a bait and blow it back out while the angler doesn't feel a thing. The exposed hook will sometimes stick in the fish and allow me to realize I better set the hook!

[RK]

I go with an exposed hook whenever I can. I firmly believe the exposed hook helps catch fish that would not be caught with a buried hook point. I don't know how the bass do it considering the sensitivity level of todays rods, but they have the ability to pick up a bait and blow it back out while the angler doesn't feel a thing. The exposed hook will sometimes stick in the fish and allow me to realize I better set the hook!

+1 Couldn't agree more on the exposed hook.

I also think jigworms are lighter. I rarely use a jighead heaver than 1/8 oz when I fish jigworms, and fish them basically as a drop bait.

[Stick in Mud]

By "drop bait," RK, I assume you mean that you fish it almost vertically?

[RK]

carmike -

Yup. Cast it out, let it fall, maybe hop it a time or two then reel it in and do it again. Not a bait to fish all the way back to the boat at all. Makes a relatively slow presentation surprisingly efficient.

[corncob]

Try fishing a drop shot more horizontal in light to moderate weed cover....Works great and just keeps your lure slightly off the bottom....Reel in slowly and hold on.

[Wayne Ek]

I also agree with the exposed hook. I rarely fish a shakey head, since I started out jig-worming with a mushroom-head jig I've just stay with the old style. Hard bottom or soft bottom and in cabbage or coontail. The only thing it's hard to fish it in is milfoil, then I usually switch to a pegged T-rig.

[Irish]

RK, I know from your previous posts that you like fishing a 3/32 ounce jighead How deep can you fish that light of weight?

[Ray Esboldt]

I refuse to acknowledge the shaky head as technique. All it is jigworming in my book - I think I might have heard RK say that as well once.

I know I have some jigs that are heavier that an 1/8th but can't tell you the last time I tied one on. I try to use 1/16th oz. most of the time but will submit to an 1/8th if the wind is too much. I will also use an 1/8th if I think the fish are pinned to the bottom.

And, I agree with RK's assessment of retrieval. Let it sink, hop it a couple of times, and crank it back. I see a jigworm as being every bit as much as a search bait as I do a finese bait.

[RK]

Irish -

You can fish a 3/32 as deep as you need to - the only thing that can screw you up is wind. I fish lakes with a 16 to 18 foot weedline and use a 3/32 oz. If it's windy I'll go up to 1/8.

Fluorocabon line has been a huge benefit when it comes to jigworming, and to me the main reason isn't because it is harder to see but because it sinks. It doesn't make the jig sink any faster, but it does keep the line from blowing across the surface like mono does. It means I can fish a lighter jig in heavier wind and still keep in touch with the jig.

Ray - To me, jigworming and shakey heads are just variations on a theme. Either way, it's been around since the 70s...both here in the Midwest and in the southwestern US. Guys were finesse fishing lake Powell and Lake Mead with Westy's Worms long before they were calling it shaky head.

[CHM]

I refuse to acknowledge the shaky head as technique. All it is jigworming in my book - I think I might have heard RK say that as well once.

I know I have some jigs that are heavier that an 1/8th but can't tell you the last time I tied one on. I try to use 1/16th oz. most of the time but will submit to an 1/8th if the wind is too much. I will also use an 1/8th if I think the fish are pinned to the bottom.

And, I agree with RK's assessment of retrieval. Let it sink, hop it a couple of times, and crank it back. I see a jigworm as being every bit as much as a search bait as I do a finese bait.

I agree. In general, a jigworm is exposed hook and a shakey head is not. For instance, in the rod-building world, a shakey head rod would have more backbone for setting the hook through plastic than a rod that would fish a jigworm well. But both methods use a jighead and a worm.

Whatever you do, NEVER deadstick a jigworm!

[TonkaBass]

I gotta say, I think they are totally different. Other than both having a lead jig with plastic, they have a completely different time and place IMHO... I like jigworms for fishing weeds when I don't need a t rig and I like a shakey when I am fishing the bottom and don't need to fish ultra low to get bit.