A shaky head is a light ball or football jighead with a screw-lock or keeper and a hook designed for Texas-rigging a straight-tail finesse worm. The head rests on bottom and the worm stands up and quivers when you shake the rod. It bridges the gap between the Ned rig and a full Texas rig, and it is excellent around docks and rocky points across southern Ontario and Quebec.
What you need
- Shaky jighead1/8–1/4 oz with screw-lock keeper, 3/0–4/0 hook
- Finesse worm4–7" straight-tail worm (trick worm, finesse worm)
- Line8–12 lb fluorocarbon
How to tie the shaky head rig
- Tie the shaky head to the line with a Palomar knot.
- Screw the worm's head onto the keeper (or thread it on the hook shank if the head has a barb keeper).
- Push the hook point through the worm body and skin-hook it just under the surface so it is weedless but easy to expose.
How to fish it
Cast to a target, let it fall, then shake the rod tip in place with slack in the line so the worm quivers without the head moving. Drag it a foot, shake again. Set the hook with a firm sweep when you feel a thump or weight.
Tips
- A 6" green pumpkin trick worm on a 3/16 oz head is the no-brainer starting point.
- Dip the tail in chartreuse dye for clear northern water.
Common mistakes
- Hooking the worm crooked, which makes it spin and roll on the bottom.
- Hopping it too aggressively; shake, don't jump.