How to Use Shaky Head Worms Like A Pro | Simple Advice from Experts
You are likely to have heard the term “shaky-head fishing” if you enjoy fishing. However, it is not uncommon for professional fishers to win Bass tournaments using shaky heads and worms, even though they aren’t known for catching big ones. You will be able to see how helpful shaky-head fishing can be when small fish love to eat. Today, we will be discussing the techniques of using shaky head worms like a pro. Are you ready?
How to use shaky head worms like a pro
Choosing the right jighead
You can fish bass with shaky head worms if you choose the right type of jighead. Manufacturers have come up with a variety of sizes and shapes of jigheads to suit the needs of the shaky heads. It would help if you had a balanced lightweight jighead to keep the bottom level for shaky-head fishing. The ideal size jighead for finesse worms is between 1/16 and 18 ounces. You may need a heavier jighead if you fish in windy conditions, as the bait control is tighter with strong current and wind.
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Shaky head types you need to choose
Soft plastic baits can be used with two types of head design: a standup or a ball head. When fishing near rocky bottoms or riprap, trick worms between 6 and 8 inches are suitable for use with the standup jighead. The standup jigheads slide easily through rock bottoms, allowing for fishing with minor shaking. The ball or round jighead is best for fishing in open areas and near gravel bottoms. These lures can be either a stick or finesse worm, with sizes between 4 and 6.
What should you do with the shaky head
As I mentioned, most experts prefer to use a finesse worm for shaky-head fishing. If you don’t wish to use live bait, you can also choose a soft plastic bait that has shaky heads. Soft plastic baits come in many sizes and shapes to fit the needs of anglers. There are also jerk baits and stick worms and plastic lizards, and other creature baits. But if you want to know my favorite, here’s what I have to say:
This bait is beaver-like and weighs between 3/16 ounces and 1/14 ounces. This combination is ideal for catching the post-spawn bass close to the docks. A super-sized, shaky head is better if you often fish in the deep sea. Expert anglers recommend using a standup jighead tip that is 5/16, 3/8 or smaller for fishing in shallow waters. The jighead can be used with creature baits, screwworms, and even super-large, paddle tail plastic baits.
Choosing the right color for shaky head
Before we get into the details of the color selection for the shaky heads, it’s essential to understand the basics and the most common uses. We all know that the most popular clearwater fishing tactic is the shaky-head. It would be good to choose soft plastic baits with natural colors. The red flake, watermelon and pumpkinseed are all options. No matter what bait or lure you use, there is another technique that you can use to shaky fish heads. The lure must be placed straight on the hook. The hook point should be rigged correctly to close to the lure skin.
Best time to use shaky head tactics
Fishing is done almost year-round by anglers using shaky head tactics. It will be able to pick during springtime, especially when there is spawn or post-spawn. You can also use the finesse worms with shaky heads, even for the blind fish. It can be used for bass fishing or cruising in shallow water. The adult and large bass fish can be caught even when the sky is cloudy. They guard their offspring against any possible dangers.
Bass fishes are more likely to emerge from their hiding places on the surface water during fall. They will often hide in the sunken brush or docks, enjoying the cold temperatures. Bass fishing isn’t easy. You can catch these tough, suspended bass fish using a finesse worm with a slow-falling shaky tail. You can lure the bass fish with a rocky head by placing it right in front of its nose.
Use shaky head worms in different ways to fish
Drag it
Many anglers fall for the “shaky head,” a misleading name. The name suggests that you should shake your head out of the socket. However, it is essential not to fall for the “one-retrieve trap.” A shaky head can often lead to better results. Bass fishing in the fall is a great way to have memorable moments. It can be hard to find a spot where bass (largemouth and spotted) can not be caught. However, this time of year can be a double-edged sword as autumn brings some severe cold fronts that make fishing very difficult.
Sometimes, it is best to drag a shaky ear during these post-frontal days. Bass will not stray far from the front if they move up on secondary points. They will eat crankbaits and large jigs, but they won’t hesitate to crush shaky heads. A shaky head can allow anglers to cover more water and feel for specific bottom compositions. Instead of burying worms in these areas, drag a shaky head quickly to locate fish.
Hop it
It may sound like we are splitting hairs, but there is a big difference between shaking a shakey head and hooting a shakey head. Differentiating your presentation from the daily life of bass can lead to more bites and more conditioned fish. Fishing during the day can be more difficult when there is a full moon. Fish feeding for more extended periods at night is less likely to eat aggressively during the day. If the bass is a little slow during these times, you can hop a minor finesse bug on a shakey head to trigger reaction bites.
Crawfish activity also increases during the full moon day, and the lethargy of bass activity. Crawfish will jump around rocks to find food as soon as they emerge from their dark caves. They emit a distinctive clicking sound as they dart and dash, which is easily recognized by big bass. This sound can be reproduced by hopping a shaky head about hardcovers, allowing anglers to fool otherwise cautious bass. It is not necessary to tear the head off when implementing this presentation. To trigger reaction strikes, start with the rod tip at 3 o’clock. Twitch upwards to a 1 O’clock position. Crawfish can’t jump high, so it is not a good idea to hop too aggressively on the bait.
Shake it
Shaking your head at the bottom of your favorite fishing spot is a great way to catch much fish. The best results will be achieved by knowing when and where. This presentation can be compared to human behavior to gain a better understanding. There were always those classmates in high school who would do anything to upset their peers. It was the worst when a classmate would place their index finger directly in front of you while performing the “I’m just not touching you” routine. Most of us would eventually get frustrated and throw our hands away.
A bass will respond the same way if you shake your head. If you shake your bait in front of a bass’s face for too long, it will get mad and eat it. We have found that shaking your head when the bass is within reach of you is the most effective way to surprise them. You can shake that shaky head in front of them, whether on your Lowrance or just a few short strikes with other baits.
Swim it
This is a presentation I have had success with. Swimming a frail body around active fishaEUR, especially spotted bass, can be deadly. Bass don’t position themselves very close to the structure when cloudy or overcast. They will seek prey by moving from cover to shade themselves from the sun. Anglers can cover the water with various moving baits as the bass moves more. Every week, bass can see hundreds of crankbaits, Jerkbaits, and other moving baits. But how many times have you seen a swimming shaky-head? It’s all about being unique. This technique allows the bass to have a good bite on your shaky head. I recommend using a soft plastic with superior water displacement like the Zoom Ultravibe speed Worm. For years, anglers have used these soft plastic baits to catch big bass in shallow waters. However, they can also be effective in deep water.
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Conclusion
The popularity of the shaky-head fishing technique is increasing due to the intense competition for bass fish. The best way to keep ahead of others is to learn the right approach. We recommend that you release any giant bass caught with the shaky-head worms. This helps preserve the species of bass fish.