I love this presentation. Your gonna get alot of different opinions here but I like a ML rod-say 6'10-7 ft and 8-12 fluro leader on braid. I don't shake the bait much, just pull it in towards me 2-3 ft wait a bit, then pull it in again, all the way back to the boat. I much prefer baits that float-I use a baby rattlesnake by Grande Bass most all the time. Jighead is anywhere from 1/16 to 1/4 oz but 1/8 and 3/16 are what I use most of the time.
This will get you bit when the bass are passing up other offerings. Good luck.
Agree with all of this. Only thing to add is, when dragging it back to the boat, if you feel the bait run into something hard (trees, bigger chunk rock, etc) pause the bait and shake it a bit. I have had good luck getting bit doing this. I feel that fish is following it and when the bait makes contact with the cover and then quivers subtly the fish just can't resist. The powerbait shaky snake is my favorite for this technique.
Good luck. Like always, there is no substitute for time on the water "practicing" and learning what works for you.