The Alabama rig, or shaky head worm requires a certain rigging and the right technique along the bottom of the lake. Great for catching spotted smallmouth bass. This throwback 2005 footage to The Bass Pros from season one is fun to look back at and gather some great fishing advice from Kevin VanDam.
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I’ve got one of my favorite finesse rigs tied on right now, and it’s incredibly deadly. Many anglers, when the bite gets tough, will opt for a Carolina rig, a Texas rig, a tube, or various other setups. However, for me, this rig has become my go-to option.
The Rig Setup
What I’m using is just a ball jig head, but it’s a specially designed one, rigged with a Strike King 3x Finesse Worm. This particular worm is made of Cyberflex, making it extremely stretchy and soft. The key feature, though, is that it floats like a bobber.
The jig head sits down on the bottom, and the tail of the worm stands off the bottom and floats up. Its softness gives it an enticing quiver and wiggle. It’s an incredibly effective finesse bait to fish with.
Success with the Finesse Rig
At a tournament at Lake Lewisville this past year, I landed an 11 lb 13 oz bass on this rig using a spinning rod with 8 lb test line. It was incredible! This rig doesn’t just catch big fish, but it can also produce numbers.
When I find a spot where I’ve caught a couple of fish, I’ll cast this rig in, and often pull another five or six from the same area.
Origins of the Technique
This finesse rig, commonly called the Shaky Head, or Alabama Rig, originated in Alabama for spotted bass fishing on the Coosa River chain. It’s now used nationwide, and for me, it’s the go-to technique when the fishing gets tough, especially in clear water conditions. When it’s sunny and bright, and reactionary baits don’t work, this finesse rig shines.
Catching All Sizes of Fish
One of the benefits of the Shaky Head is that it catches fish of all sizes. Although not every fish is big, it can catch fish when other techniques struggle. The finesse presentation of the rig makes it irresistible to fish in pressured or clear water conditions.
Tackle for the Finesse Rig
For this rig, I prefer a long spinning rod. Right now, I’m using my own signature series Bass Pro Kevin VanDam rod, a 7-foot medium-action rod, paired with a Quantum Kevin VanDam signature series spinning reel. I use 8 lb test XPS fluorocarbon line, which is crucial to the success of this technique.
Fluorocarbon offers excellent sensitivity with low stretch, allowing me to feel the bottom and any subtle bites. Its sinking property ensures there’s no bow in the line, making for better hook sets. Additionally, it’s virtually invisible in clear water, increasing bite rates.
Fishing the Shaky Head
When fishing the Shaky Head, I cast it out, let it sink to the bottom, and gently shake the rod to make the worm wiggle. The jig head hops along the bottom while the tail stands straight up. If a bass gets close, the soft worm’s subtle quivering action entices a strike.
Rigging the Worm
I use a long shank jig head to rig the worm. First, I cut off about 3/4 of an inch of the worm and rig it by inserting a small portion (about 1/4 inch) onto the hook.
The Cyberflex material is stretchy, so I force it over the barb to secure it. Some anglers even super glue the worm to the jig head for added security.
Using the Shaky Head Effectively
This technique isn’t ideal for covering a lot of water. Instead, I use it once I’ve found an area with fish. If the weather changes, such as when it becomes bright and sunny, I switch to this rig. By shaking the jig in front of a bass’s face, I’m likely to get a bite.
Adjusting for Water Conditions
While I’m fishing in clear water today, this rig works in dirty water too. I simply change the worm color to suit the water clarity. In clear water, green pumpkin, watermelon, or watermelon red works best. In dirty water, I switch to darker colors like June bug or black and blue.
Conclusion
This finesse rig has become one of the most effective techniques for catching bass. With its enticing action, it can be deadly in both clear and dirty water. If you can get it near a bass, chances are, it’ll bite. The combination of a floating worm and sensitive fluorocarbon line makes this rig a game-changer.
