My rule of thumb is anything 1/4oz and bigger goes on a casting rod and anything less goes on a spinning rod. That's worked for me for a couple years now.

I obviously missed this post because I just posted a day a go about the same topic. I'm trying to thoroughly research this topic so that it's just second nature to me to know what and when to use it to maximize my hook ups. I put in my post that I just bought a 7'0 MH Shimano Crucial from a friend and used it with a YUM 1/4 oz 4/0 hook on two separate trips and I was putting more bass in the boat plus an 8.1 (PB). I felt like I could feel everything and I didn't miss much. I was using 14 lb flouro. I had some good feedback but when it comes down to it I'm like you, I was putting bass in the boat. I do think, however, it would be beneficial to use a spinning set up if I were to use under a 1/4 oz shaky head with braid. My question I still have yet to get answered is has anyone used a 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz shaky head and in what conditions?

Heavier the weight deeper you fish it, 1/2oz 3/4oz usually fish deeper for the deeper fish or it's Extremely windy

ok thanks, this info reinforces what someone else said. i just didn't know if people fished them in deeper waters. thanks.

It's great to use to pick off the bigger ones in a school out deep or the fatter bigger unders.

I use a Dobyns Extreme 703 baitcaster and a Power Tackle spinning rod for my shaky head fishing.

I hate spinning tackle for shakey head fishing. Just get poor hook sets and loose more fish. 90% of my shakey head fishing is more of a "power" shakey head using a santone piglet shakey head which has a heavier wire hook I use it with a 7' MH Kistler helium baitcast rod with 15lb floro. Only time I fish on spinning tackle is when it's supper clear water and I'm fishing deeper with light wire hook on spinning tackle with 8lb floro

Ok, that was one of my concerns, the hook set. I'm not seasoned with a spinning set up and was concerned about breaking off on the hook set. I would consider what I have been doing "power" shaky head fishing. I don't truly finesse it although the majority of people call it a finesse style which i'm sure is what it was originally intended for. I think sometimes going out of the conventional methods pays off, which it has for me since I've been fishing it this way. Great reply Jake Shannon. I'm learning quite a bit about this technique. I'm glad everyone who has contributed here believes in helping other guys better themselves as fishermen. You guys are a class act in my book.

I have a casting Abu Garcia veracity with a revo premier

Glad my reply helped I love shakey heads best baits for me have been baby brush hog, trick worm, zoom finesse worm and a rattle snake. Another thing to try is adjust the size and diameter of ur shakey head hook to the size of ur worm. For the finesse worms under 5inches the smaller weights paired with lighter hooks produce better action in the worm.

I have not tried the baby brush hog on a shaky head but they are my #1 choice on my TxRig. I have had a lot of success with a 5" LFT Hyper Stick on the YUM 1/4 oz with a 4/0 hook shaky head. That's probably too much worm for that shaky head but for some reason I was slaying them with it. I like the action the Hyper Stick has naturally in the water but will tell you with those thin joints the fish have bit off a couple of mine. I will give the bush hog a go for sure on it. Great info once again.

I'm surprised so many of you use a MH rod for shakey heads! I have always used a 7ft med fast exclusively with great success, I feel a MH is too much for that technique. I guess that's why they say different strokes for different folks!

Well I'm not fishing with a light wire hook. There for you can use a MH

who fishes a light wire hook for a shakey head?? I know I don't! What are you referring to as a light wire hook? I don't even know how you could even rig that.I prefer the medium for the feel it's also a tad lighter. In fact most rod manufacturers that make technique specific rods often have their 7ft med listed as their shakey head model. So I guess I'm not the only one. ( I use spinning gear for shakey head )

As you have read it comes down to preference. I prefer spinning and light line on anything under 1/4oz. Its just easier to cast. My setup is MH and fast tip.