Shakey setup question

[DinkADunk]

I'm currently working on building a spinning rod for shakey head and drop shot presentations (it's a G Loomis drop shot blank) and looking for recommendations on line and reel. I plan on building a split grip and am going to try and bury the reel seat hardware (fuji skeleton reel seat) into cork so that during use only the cork shows. Anyhow, to do this I need to trim the reel seat hardware and that really requires designing the grip for a specific reel. I'm thinking of using one of the following reels and would like your opinion;

Shimano Symetre 2500

Shimano Stradic 2500

Quantum Energy PTI 30

Diawa Advantage 2500

As for line I plan on using 8lb test and am considering the following, your suggestions would be welcome;

P-Line Floroclear

P-Line Soft Fluorocarbon

Berkley Vanish

[Central Bassman]

I think for the money the Shimano Symetre 2500 is the best deal and reel. I have a few myself and love them. All the reels you named are good reels, but i think the Symetre is just as good as the Stradic. If i remember right, its been a while seen i looked at then.

For line: Last year i used Berkley Vanish and it was alright, but this year i will be going to be using

8 lb Gamma Fluorocarbon. Fluorocarbon is the way to go for Shaky head fishing!!!

[turn_in_poachers]

If you could, please post up pictures of your rod when youre done. Sounds like its going to be a really sweet rod. As for the reel, either one of the Shimano's would do the job (Im a Daiwa man myself). If youre in no rush, check out the Shimano Twinpower or Biomaster, and Daiwa Caldia Kix reels. Theyre made for the overseas market, mainly japan, but you can find suppliers here in the US. The Twinpower is equivalent to the US Sustain. Ill throw in another, Daiwa Luvias. I have a 2500 and it is a super nice reel. I have mine paired up with a 7' Powell ML spinning rod w/ 6lb P-Line FC.

A few pictures:

Daiwa Luvias

Shimano Biomaster

Shimano Twinpower

Sorry for the long post and images, but I think a rod like that deserves a really nice reel.

[Deitz Dittrich]

If you are making a rod like that, you should put a nice reel on it. I would go with the stradic, or maybe even a sustain. I myself use a Stradic Magnesium. For shakey fishing. And I use a Shimano Crucial 6'8" dropshot rod. I use 6lb Gamma Florocarbon.

[EBass]

Shimano Stradic 2500 - I have it and love it. So I bought another one, but bigger, the Stradic 4000. Now I'm torn on which one I love more

[cjac]

Another nod for the Stradic or above, anything less would be like building a hot rod and putting a Ford Escort engine in it!

[Central Bassman]

Hey TIP... Is that PINK Fireline on that Shimano Biomaster???

[bronzeback01]

I'm personally a Daiwa man myself but get what feels best for you. Also for shakey heads use a light reel with a larger diameter spool this will allow for less line memory, especially if you're using floro carbon.

My recomendation for the line would be the P-line and use 100% floro, not floro coated. You will have less line stretch and more sensitivity this way. Stay away from the Vanish, it's a decent line but I don't think it's nearly as supple as P-line.

I prefer Sufix Elite mono on my shakey head rig, I think it has a lot of the florocarbon qualities without the memory.

[turn_in_poachers]

Im not sure Central Bass. I found the picture on the net. The only red line Ive seen is Cajun Red. Maybe Mattell or a doll company makes pink line.

[turn_in_poachers]

Here's a picture of my Daiwa Luvias 2500. Some people might not like the break away handle, but I love it. Its old school.

[Central Bassman]

LOL yea i think it is... Not very many ppl use pink line!!!haha

[MattWtech]

whats the biggest diameter line that youd use on a shakey set up, probably 10 lb? or 8lb be the maximum?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Whatever you would like.. Its going to depend on the cover you are fishing. For me I would say that 10 would be about as big as I would go.. Most of my shakey worm fishing is done with 6 or 8 lb.

[Central Bassman]

Yea I would agree with Deitz...I would say that most of the time bigger line isn’t the issue, its how light of line can i get away with and not loss big fish. I started the year last year with 10 lb and ended fishing 8 lb. I still think that i caught allot more fish on the lighter light.

I just don’t have the guts i guess to go to 6 lb yet.

[MattWtech]

oh i see how it goes, how bout for a jig head 1/8 ounce or 5/16 somthing? if you get too much weight on it, it will effect that sexy flow of the worm wont it?

[Central Bassman]

I use 1/8 almost all the time. I use the Tru Tungsten Ike Shaky Heads. I will be trying some different sizes this comeing season. Something a little lighter when its not so windy.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Matt- You want to fish the lightest weight you can but still keep contact with the bottom and be able to shake itwithout moving it. 1/8 and 5/16 are good starters, you will need more in deeper water and less in shallow.. and more on windy days and less on calm.

[DinkADunk]

Deitz, what plastics are you using for Shakey Head.

[Deitz Dittrich]

50% of the time I would say I use an Exude Crawler of some color depending on the water clarity. The other 25% of the time I am using a 4" worm, like a Dropshot worm. The other 25% I use a Comida/Senko.