Of all the new bass fishing techniques that have came along over the past 10 years, perhaps none have been as effective as the method known as  “shaky head fishing”.

Like a lot of  new techniques that arise, the concept of shaky head fishing has been around a long time. For years, anglers have used the jig-head worm setup, which is basically threading a small plastic worm on the shank of a jig-head.

The shaky head is similar, but the rigging makes it weedless, which has allowed anglers to fish this lure in cover that the old jig-head worm would constantly get hung up in.

This rigging is accomplished by threading the head of the worm onto the shank of the hook only about 1/4 of an inch. The point of the hook is then inserted into the body of the worm…like a conventional texas-rig, making it weedless.

The evolution from the jig-head worm to the modern-day shaky head is largely due to improved components.

Today, there are hundreds of styles, profiles, textures and colors available in the worms themselves, making the lure more appealing to fish in a wide set of conditions.

But the big innovation has been in the jig-head itself. Improved head designs, hooks and overall balance have came a long way since the simple, ball-head jig design of 20 years ago.

In my opinion, Megabass makes the finest shaky-head in the world today…the Megabass Okashira Jig-head.

This jig-head offers the ultimate in finish and performance. It has a realistic fish-head design that not only looks like a real minnow, but is balanced to stand up when bounced or dragged across the bottom.

The  stiff, round-bend, short-shank hook comes in 1/0….2/0…and 3/0 sizes, and is needle-sharp.

I like to use the 1/0 and 2/0 when fishing for spotted bass and smallmouth. The 3/0 is my choice when fishing primarily for largemouth.

Worm sizes can vary from 3 to 7 inches, but most of the time, I like a 4 inch model.

Shaky head fishing is designed to be used with spinning tackle. Most of my shaky head fishing is done with 4-8lb. line, and I use the f3-610 Megabass Destroyer spinning rod with this setup.

Shaky head fishing can be used in almost any conditions, but it really excels in clear-water environments. I personally like to use it when the water visibilities are over 2 feet.

Make your cast, and while the lure is falling to the bottom, gently shake the rod-tip on the way down, and continue to do so for a few seconds after it has reached the bottom. Let it sit for a second, and start shaking it again…trying to leave it in one place, or not moving it forward very much.

I will do this for about 10 feet. 90% of the strikes will come in the first 5 or 7 feet of movement, so after about 10 feet, I will reel it in and make another presentation.

This is a very versatile lure. It can be fished around and under docks, in rocks and brush. Bridge piers and seawalls. Deep points or vertical jigging. The versatility of this lure is the reason it has become a standby in most all serious anglers tackle boxes.

Regardless if you are a veteran shaky-header, or a novice, give the Megabass Okashira jig-head with your favorite 4 inch worm a try. It is a irresistible little tidbit that bass of all sizes cannot resist.

Good Fishing!

Randy Blaukat