I have been asked to build a bass rod that will be used for a method called "Shakey Head". What would be a good blank for this method of fishing? Anything else that I should know about this?

Jim,
I haven't built one specifically for that purpose but there was a fishing show on recently with Kevin Van Dam demonstring the technique. He uses a 7' medium action spinning rod with 8 lb. test. Sorry, I don't recall the exact line rating on the rod. A buddy of mine who bass fishes semi-pro fishes shakey heads using a drop-shot spinning rod. Hope it helps, Randy.

I'd think the St Croix 3C68MXF or the Rainshadow ISB 822.5 blank would be about right, I'd look for a 6 ft 8 in to 7 ft.extra fast tipped blank 6 to 10 to 8 to 14 lb line classes depending on your rig and where your fishing. I use a 10 lb fluorocarbon line only because that's what's on the reel I like, 8 would also work.

Try the Rainshadow RX7 sb822.5 It makes a great shakey head rod.

Mark Syck

SYCKO Custom Rods
There Are No Limits To The Imagination

The RX8+ 822.5 is even better

I like any of the St. Croix MLXF's if he is using the lighter weight jigs up to 3/8ths.

I was looking for a blank for this application a few weeks ago and took the advice of Bob from Custom Tackle Supply and purchased a
Loomis SB 811...............................He was dead on with his recommendation!!! So give it a look before you make your decision as I had originally thought about going with the 3C68MXF. Bob talked me out of it and I can say I am glad he did!

You may want to look at the 3C69MLXF from St Croix. I think for a shakey worm rod you may want to have a little less back bone. The shakey worm uses a drop shot set up with a plastic worm that you shake with the rod to give it a subtle movement. I would think a stiffer rod would impart to much movement on the worm.

Shakey head uses a jighead and a finesse worm. It's the same as "doodling" a worm, except you are moving the lure rather than shaking it in stationary position. The worm is hooked weedless too, so some backbone would be a good idea. I'm thinking a dropshot style blank with a slightly firmer tip would be what you're after.

Ted has nailed this one with his post. There are lots of blanks out there, that will come close to doing what you need and I carry the blanks by Batson and St. Croix, that are mentioned. The one that is exactly dialed in for the Shakey Head application is the SB811 Loomis, as Russ mentioned. You can come close to dealing in or dial right in!!

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

Bob, what about the G-Loomis DS-820? I'm looking for something that would work well with less than 1/4oz jigs, or does the SB811 work well outside of its stated range?

Steve -- The DS820, Loomis Drop Shot blank is a little light for shakey head fishing. The SB811 is only rated down to 1/4 oz. but I have fellows throwing 3/16 oz heads on it. The tip is soft enough to throw lighter than it is rated and has fantastic butt power for hook set.

Bob McKamey -- Custom Tackle Supply

The SB811 is a spinnerbait technique specific blank, but what lends it so well to shakey head is that it has more backbone. Spinnerbaits have much stouter hooks, so a shakeyhead jighook through a thinner finesse worm is no problem. The Dropshot's tip is soft, and it's midsection quite forgiving too, as it is meant to cushion very light line. For light head shakey, you'll need the light tip to cast light heads, but the rod has to power up straight away to sink the hooks. So either a firmer DS (maybe trimming the 820) or a spin jig model would suit better for the lighter jigheads. A 1 or 2 powered Loomis SJ might work well, or maybe the spin bass series from Batson.

Technique might well come into the picture too. Braided line or mono/fluoro?

Ted, I'm looking at using 6-8lb fluoro (maybe some braid on a second spool). I was thinking this technique would also work well for walleye at certain times of the year as well as bass. Generally for Walleye we go with jigs a bit lighter than typically used for Bass. Of course I would like to try the G Loomis blanks they use for their Shakey Head rods (SHR821, SHR822) but unfortunately they aren't for sale as blanks yet (I wrote and asked G Loomis last night). Anyhow, the SB811 is fairly inexpensive so it wouldn't hurt to try