Matt I've been help by Larry Nixon many times on lots of baits I'm very proud that you and Larry help us fisherman and thank you and Larry for all the help
Solid tips on this one Matt, The General gave me some lessons a few years back on different baits and tactics and they have proven to be the best tips I have ever had… what a guy!
This is something I've heard other shaky head fishermen talk about- Brain Latimer just help design a new Z man shaky head that doesn't have the pig tail for this same reason. I rig mine the same way you do a Texas rig and I take the smallest initial bite on the head of the worm as I can so that when I set the hook it tears loose easily. I've used dozens of different heads but so far, I think the little round headed War eagle shaky head or the owner shaky heads have been the best- they don't have a screw lock or push up- just a little bait keeper on the shank of the hook. Steve Rodgers posted a really interesting video about shaky heads today- looking at underwater footage of dead sticking at different depths. I was shocked at the results- the deeper the worm was the more it seemed to move on its own- up shallow with no input it just sat there motionless. I would've expected just the opposite.
Great info as usual Matt! A little trick if all you have is pig tail style is you can straighten it out using a needle nose and then put a slight bend in it. Larry Nixon was awesome!! I remember when Diawa had a series of rods for wormin, flippin etc and Larry Nixon had his name on the wormin rod. Of course I had the the whole line. ha
Great info on the Shakey head. Have pretty all the above, time to start throwing them. In PGH, water is just breaking 50°. I'll be out tomorrow and toss some. Thanks 👍.
Matt, on a separate subject; regarding your Virginia flight incident; that may be an attorney General issue. The airline was obviously unhappy with the price they sold you your tickets for and told you your flight was changed just to get you to reschedule so they could get their desired rate.
This was a good article Matt but I would like to see them have a micro bottle brush holder so the worm could be used many times over. Little tiny plastic arms that would give the worm up easy but do little damage to it. Just a thought.
I pretty much have stopped using any shaky head screw on types unless I need a heavier weight & have gone to the owner finesse ball jig it only goes up to 3/16 with a ewg 2 ot hook, that's magic it makes the bait stand straight up the way the line tie is located after awhile you may need to super glue the worm to the ball, it's been awhile since I've committed on the vids, but been watching & liking all of them, only commit when I see a need, good luck on pick wick!
Great video Matt and definitely listen to one of the greats. To here the same thing from a younger great Pro is B.Latt - Brian Latimer. He worked with Z Man to create a signature Shaky head worm that hit the market I think end of last year in the States and finally made it here to Ontario. He also has his own Shaky Head Jig which he strictly does a traditional Texas Rig. Same science that the hook up ratio is massive when NOT using a screw lock. He is a master of the shaky head and after watching his videos last summer I started using shaky head rugby jigs with great success and awesome hook up ratio. No screw lock and more of a traditional worm keeper bend near the jig head like an EWG hook. What I could find up here at my local shop were VMC Football head jigs and they are awesome for Shaky head techniques. Thanks again
I've pretty much stopped using the screw lock style and use shaky heads with a bait keeper on the shank. Checkout Randy Blaukat on 04/11/2022 talking about the Davis Baits Shaky Head. David Dudley has an old video about how the screw lock causes the worm to act like a guard preventing good hookups. The Bite-Me Tackle Finesse Shaky is sweet for downsized shaky head.
The Picasso Rhino Head (designed by the late Aaron Martens & the BOSS Brent Ehrler Shakey Head both have keepers on their shanks. I spoke to Aaron at an event at the shop I work at & we talked, at length, about this style head giving a larger hook gap than the other style heads. (Actually, I asked a couple questions & he talked while I listened & made mental notes)
I used to use the pigtails but found that the worm ripped too easily. So I mostly fish with either an open hook or with an offset jighead, and have no issues with hookups. I find because Im usually using skinny worms, its not a problem. Lately, I have tried the Picasso heads and I like them as well. Thx
I’ve always had good luck with the Megastrike shakeyhead with the post bait keeper. I love the way they stand up no matter what. Sometimes you have to use the screw keeper because the post will tear up smaller softer baits. I don’t mind using the old “goatshead” style either. Just depends on the bait that’s chosen.
Matt great tips. Where I live everything also just thawed out and I can't buy a bite from the shore for smallies, any advice? It's in a lake and I just don't think I'm reaching them. I think they haven't moved to their staging areas and I might just be too early out there fishing since the water temp is still so cold.
I take them screw pieces met and rip them off and I pinched a side of the worm and take it up the shaft and then I pinch it through the bottom of the worm what happens it’s just like the way they do it with the Z man by B Latimer, The only problem I have with the screw ones is as they come into the boat soon as the slack comes off they shake it out their mouth and that’s because there’s not enough needlepoint to pierce through their mouth I believe there should be a different type of Hook made specifically
Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of screw locks for baits. Sometimes they're just a pain to use, especially on something like a swim jig. And it's often hard to get your bait to line up straight. I don't think any of my shaky heads have screws on them, they're all push on or Texas rig. Also - Good luck on Pickwick tomorrow! I'll be watching! I have you and Miles on my fantasy team (along with Jim Moynagh and Brian Latimer). Pickwick is a place you can really get on a good flipping bite or pitching cover up shallow. Go get 'em!
Good tip! I don't like to waste or lose worms or anything else but when we finally get a chance to fish or money is on the line, we shouldn't worry about losing $.35 worms while floating on our expensive fishing rigs. I'd rather catch more fish than worry about worms. I do use worms as long as possible, but they are rather cheap.
I feel the hook is too small on the spot remover. It is also bent in the slightest bit. I bought a bunch of the non pro model at Dicks on clearance for $.79 so I do throw them. I would def bend the hook out ever so slightly with pliers to increase hook ups
Shakyheads are best floating. That's the only time I will use them. Hard to screw lock tho. Hate floaters like that....esp. when they melt like the witch in the Wizard of Oz.
That would be so on a straight shank hook but if you have an EWG hook like on the Buckeye baits shakey head with the screw lock I've never had a problem with hookups. Plus I'd rather have a football style head with a flat bottom.
Well Matt, of course your crazy, your a pro-angler. Ya gotta be some sort of crazy to do that shit 😂. But I think your onto something with the spot remover. My favorite shaky head actually. Nice tip. Good to know
Not you in general but the more videos ppl put out, the more ridiculous excuses and reasons to deviate from what actually works. Again, not you in general.
Matt I've been help by Larry Nixon many times on lots of baits I'm very proud that you and Larry help us fisherman and thank you and Larry for all the help
Larry is awesome!
Solid tips on this one Matt, The General gave me some lessons a few years back on different baits and tactics and they have proven to be the best tips I have ever had… what a guy!
Awesome
Much respect/ Larry Nixon..........great respect sir hearing it told the way you said it.
Thanks! I love Larry!
Larry Nixon is one of the all time greatest anglers ever. Any tip of his is made of pure 100 percent gold.
Yep!
This is something I've heard other shaky head fishermen talk about- Brain Latimer just help design a new Z man shaky head that doesn't have the pig tail for this same reason. I rig mine the same way you do a Texas rig and I take the smallest initial bite on the head of the worm as I can so that when I set the hook it tears loose easily. I've used dozens of different heads but so far, I think the little round headed War eagle shaky head or the owner shaky heads have been the best- they don't have a screw lock or push up- just a little bait keeper on the shank of the hook. Steve Rodgers posted a really interesting video about shaky heads today- looking at underwater footage of dead sticking at different depths. I was shocked at the results- the deeper the worm was the more it seemed to move on its own- up shallow with no input it just sat there motionless. I would've expected just the opposite.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing!
100% truth … seen a latimer vid about the same concept recently. Absolutely changes your loss ratio Great video!!
Yep
This is like the fifth time I had hard a similar comment on this . Good stuff man
Awesome
Great info as usual Matt! A little trick if all you have is pig tail style is you can straighten it out using a needle nose and then put a slight bend in it. Larry Nixon was awesome!! I remember when Diawa had a series of rods for wormin, flippin etc and Larry Nixon had his name on the wormin rod. Of course I had the the whole line. ha
yes they did!
Great info on the Shakey head. Have pretty all the above, time to start throwing them. In PGH, water is just breaking 50°. I'll be out tomorrow and toss some. Thanks 👍.
thanks
Matt, on a separate subject; regarding your Virginia flight incident; that may be an attorney General issue. The airline was obviously unhappy with the price they sold you your tickets for and told you your flight was changed just to get you to reschedule so they could get their desired rate.
Yeah i actually got a response from American Airlines telling me to go scratch
This was a good article Matt but I would like to see them have a micro bottle brush holder so the worm could be used many times over. Little tiny plastic arms that would give the worm up easy but do little damage to it. Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing
Good tip! I actually have some of those alien heads never used them though. Going to give them a try now.
go for it!
that is a great tip. I have been using shaky more and more and will look for the push on kinds more
Nice!
I pretty much have stopped using any shaky head screw on types unless I need a heavier weight & have gone to the owner finesse ball jig it only goes up to 3/16 with a ewg 2 ot hook, that's magic it makes the bait stand straight up the way the line tie is located after awhile you may need to super glue the worm to the ball, it's been awhile since I've committed on the vids, but been watching & liking all of them, only commit when I see a need, good luck on pick wick!
Thank you!
I appreciate the info, Brother! Can't wait to give it a try this weekend!
Nice!
Like you the spot remover was my go to. Looks like a change is in store, ASAP! Never really liked the pigtail now I'm sure of it. THX !!!!
Give it avtry
Thank you, Matt !
You bet!
Great video Matt and definitely listen to one of the greats. To here the same thing from a younger great Pro is B.Latt - Brian Latimer. He worked with Z Man to create a signature Shaky head worm that hit the market I think end of last year in the States and finally made it here to Ontario. He also has his own Shaky Head Jig which he strictly does a traditional Texas Rig. Same science that the hook up ratio is massive when NOT using a screw lock. He is a master of the shaky head and after watching his videos last summer I started using shaky head rugby jigs with great success and awesome hook up ratio. No screw lock and more of a traditional worm keeper bend near the jig head like an EWG hook. What I could find up here at my local shop were VMC Football head jigs and they are awesome for Shaky head techniques. Thanks again
Thanks for sharing!
Morning Matt. I found the name of the Z Man worm and it is the SMH worm or as B Latt calls them the "shake my head" worm. Haha.
Great tip , thank you and Larry !
Thanks
Yes I agree that screw lock acks like a weed guard almost
Yep
I use a Owner pin screw lock. I simply skin hook side of worm allowing worm to get out of the way/gap. Thoughts?
Should help
I've pretty much stopped using the screw lock style and use shaky heads with a bait keeper on the shank. Checkout Randy Blaukat on 04/11/2022 talking about the Davis Baits Shaky Head. David Dudley has an old video about how the screw lock causes the worm to act like a guard preventing good hookups. The Bite-Me Tackle Finesse Shaky is sweet for downsized shaky head.
Thanks for sharing
The Picasso Rhino Head (designed by the late Aaron Martens & the BOSS Brent Ehrler Shakey Head both have keepers on their shanks. I spoke to Aaron at an event at the shop I work at & we talked, at length, about this style head giving a larger hook gap than the other style heads. (Actually, I asked a couple questions & he talked while I listened & made mental notes)
Thats a great tip! Thank you Sir!
You bet
This is facts, I've noticed a big difference in hook ups.
Awesome
Good one, Matt. Thanks for the tip
You bet!
Use a pair of wire snips to shorten the "pig tail " this will help 1) widen the gap slightly 2)let the bait pop off easier
Yep that’s what i do when i have a pig tail
Definitely makes sense
Thanks
That push-up keeper would be great for zman products!! Thanks for the video
You bet!
Great tip Matt
Thanks!
Great tip, thanks
Thanks!
I see what you're saying about the pigtails but i started cutting mine down a little shorter and don't have any problems
I do the same with mine, I just cut the screw lock in halve
Me too
Good stuff Matt! The shaky head was one of my favorites. All the lakes I fish now have zebra mussels so I have stopped using it.
Bummer
I used to use the pigtails but found that the worm ripped too easily. So I mostly fish with either an open hook or with an offset jighead, and have no issues with hookups. I find because Im usually using skinny worms, its not a problem. Lately, I have tried the Picasso heads and I like them as well. Thx
thanks for sharing!
I’ve always had good luck with the Megastrike shakeyhead with the post bait keeper. I love the way they stand up no matter what.
Sometimes you have to use the screw keeper because the post will tear up smaller softer baits. I don’t mind using the old “goatshead” style either. Just depends on the bait that’s chosen.
thanks for sharing!
The Gambler Giggy head has a push on keeper that works well for me.
thanks for sharing! ill check it out
Good stuff, thanks for the vid.
You bet!
That rod spinning is hypnotizing
Lol!
Hi Matt: what about skin hooking the worm on the side, so you're only going through a tiny bit of plastic and still keeping the bait weedless?
It helps some
Ah learnt that'n frum Randy. It makes sense.
Hey Matt great video. I was wondering if you could make a video of how to find spots on a river using Google maps or Earth.
I’ll put it on my list!
That magnum hit worm is awesome
Yes it is!
Hey Matt ,, I heard about this from your buddy Randy Blaukat awhile back
awesome!
Good stuff
Thanks!
I'm glad they make EWG pro spot removers.
Yep
Matt great tips. Where I live everything also just thawed out and I can't buy a bite from the shore for smallies, any advice? It's in a lake and I just don't think I'm reaching them. I think they haven't moved to their staging areas and I might just be too early out there fishing since the water temp is still so cold.
Probably need to warm up for the smallies from shore
@@MattStefanFishing I agree. I'm just to early. But you can relate to having to wait the long winter both our states have. It sucks
That's a great idea
Thanks!
I just bought my first package of the Berkly general. Dam they are twice as high as Yamamoto but if there is a difference I will see
Good luck
I take them screw pieces met and rip them off and I pinched a side of the worm and take it up the shaft and then I pinch it through the bottom of the worm what happens it’s just like the way they do it with the Z man by B Latimer, The only problem I have with the screw ones is as they come into the boat soon as the slack comes off they shake it out their mouth and that’s because there’s not enough needlepoint to pierce through their mouth I believe there should be a different type of Hook made specifically
Thanks for sharing!
To save on baits, can you just bite off the top 1/4 inch or so, without impacting your bite?
It’s an option
You will hear ppl say that will take away from the presentation of your bait. In example; you take a 6” and then it becomes a 4” after while.
Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of screw locks for baits. Sometimes they're just a pain to use, especially on something like a swim jig. And it's often hard to get your bait to line up straight. I don't think any of my shaky heads have screws on them, they're all push on or Texas rig.
Also - Good luck on Pickwick tomorrow! I'll be watching! I have you and Miles on my fantasy team (along with Jim Moynagh and Brian Latimer). Pickwick is a place you can really get on a good flipping bite or pitching cover up shallow. Go get 'em!
Thanks!
I use the pig tail on shakeyhead and I do not loose fish because I skin hook to make it weedless.
Thanks for sharing
Great tips! Shaky head links aren't working.
I’ll see if i can fix them
I agree the pigtail heads have not been as effective thanks for the intro of the alien head!
Thanks
Matt tackle warehouse has EWG shaky head with pig tail and cone keeper
thanks for sharing!
Good tip! I don't like to waste or lose worms or anything else but when we finally get a chance to fish or money is on the line, we shouldn't worry about losing $.35 worms while floating on our expensive fishing rigs. I'd rather catch more fish than worry about worms. I do use worms as long as possible, but they are rather cheap.
thanks for watching
I feel the hook is too small on the spot remover. It is also bent in the slightest bit. I bought a bunch of the non pro model at Dicks on clearance for $.79 so I do throw them. I would def bend the hook out ever so slightly with pliers to increase hook ups
Thanks for sharing
How about if you skin hook it off to the side of the worm ??????
That might help a little
Maybe use a hook with a bigger gap to make a shakey head with a screw lock?
It’s an option
Shakyheads are best floating. That's the only time I will use them. Hard to screw lock tho. Hate floaters like that....esp. when they melt like the witch in the Wizard of Oz.
Yep that’s no good
But the line tie? Does a horizontal line tie actually help hang ups over a vertical ?
Yep
That would be so on a straight shank hook but if you have an EWG hook like on the Buckeye baits shakey head with the screw lock I've never had a problem with hookups. Plus I'd rather have a football style head with a flat bottom.
I’ll check it out
@@MattStefanFishing or I could always send you some if you have never seen them
Well Matt, of course your crazy, your a pro-angler. Ya gotta be some sort of crazy to do that shit 😂. But I think your onto something with the spot remover. My favorite shaky head actually. Nice tip. Good to know
Lol!
What maxscent worm is that? It’s not the hit worm
Magnum hit worm
I don't mind going through more worms as long as I got fish to show for it, but I can't stand going through a bunch of baits with no fish landed.
Agreed
If you’re using a Zoom Trick worm at $4 for a bag of 20, cost isn’t a problem
Gotcha
I always cut the pig tail down by 60%
Me too
Of course you are crazy Matt. But it has nothing to do with todays tip😄
Haha!
Not you in general but the more videos ppl put out, the more ridiculous excuses and reasons to deviate from what actually works.
Again, not you in general.
Thanks for watching!