Randy Howell Do It Shaky Heads

[Walking Dead]

Anyone out there modifying these molds for other hooks?  Barlow's list the hooks that will fit without modification, just thought there were others out there that might work.

[smalljaw]

Which hooks would you like in that mold? I was going to get it but a ball shaky head works well for me and I like the screw lock better than a barb. I also like the flat eye hook for that presentation but I still was going to get it until I found it used the 111 gammy, that got me a little mad as that is a bronze hook.  The hook that I'm really interested in is the VMC 7150 Barbarian, it looks to be a 90 degree deep throat jig with really nice wire diameter.

[wootonc]

I just ordered mine this morning Going to check it out I dont like that 111 Gammy either.

[LimpNoodle]

I did the smaller ones with the 7150.

 

The bigger one's I did with some 8/0 Gami hooks.  

 

 

I have not made any for my own use yet.  All those i have done so far are for a buddy.

[Walking Dead]

I bought some of those VMC hooks to try.  Should get the molds this week.  Will let you know. 

 

I am contemplating modifying these for some Mustad and EC Laser hooks as well as try a screw loc on a couple of sizes.

 

I think that little lead bait holder may not hold well.

 

I like the eye position on them though one would think they would have designed each cavity so the hook set further back into the lead on the smaller sizes.  The lead coverage helps with hang ups.  This would have taken more space but a cavity loss would be a great sacrifice.

[Walking Dead]

Got the mold and it does great with the Grammy 111. Cannot stand the bronze and small gap on the hook. Bought the 7150s but not liking hem either. Shoots well with it, just not crazy with the looks. I know, I am just old school. Want a Mustad or EC laser hook in black and not light wire. Anyone?

[timbass]

I assume since Randy and Aaron Martens are buddys down in Alabama, Randy seem to take a liking to Aaron's shaky head design that came out several years back.  http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Davis_Baits_Shaky_Head_5pk/descpage-DBAS.html

 

It is a very close match including the keeper barb facing outward from the back.  Aaron's jig has the same issue of using the Gammi 111 O'Shaughnessy bronze hook.  I would say it depends on what you want to use for your plastics.  I have gone through several packs of Aaron's jig heads and that little bronze hook is sticky sharp and it really does hook and hold the fish very well.  As you can guess the bronze is a little softer and more flexible and as you said it is a smaller gap for its size as O'Shaughnessy hooks tend to be.  If you are using basic worms like a fat robo, zoom finesse, havoc bottom hopper and the like, then that hook will suit your needs very well.  However, if you like using bigger worms, creatures like smallie beavers or bulky worms like a Hag's tornado or grande rattlesnake then you will run into problems from that small hook.  So, for you basic finesse worms I actually have good things to say about the hook, but for anything bigger then you will have to do some experimenting or modification.  I looked around and don't see any other option for an O'Shaughnessy that will fit and outside of that hook it looks like the mold's hook options are quite limited.  The VMC is a sharp hook, but I don't know about the length or size compared to the 111, but it does look to be a lot stronger.  I will keep looking and let you know if I find something that would fit that mold without having to modify it.   

[smalljaw]

O'Shaughnessy bends hold fish really well and they don't flex as easy as a round bend and that is why you see those being used on finesse type jigs. The Jewel Baits Eakins jig used a black nickel O'Shaughnessy bend hook as it was often used with heavier line and a rods so they used that hook for the simple fact it won't flex as quickly or as much as the round bend and the fish holding deal is icing on the cake but it is limited due to the smaller gap. The 111 Gamakatsu would be fine if it was black nickel, it is kind of hard to pay that kind of price for a bronze hook. The VMC may look weird but I know how well that deep throat design works as I've been using the Owner 5304 deep throat for more than 4 years now and you don't loose fish on that one so I'm hoping it works as good on a 90 degree hook. The deep throat design works the same way as the O'Shaughnessy bend but it is made so that you still have a big bite, the same thing with sickle style hooks, they hold fish really well while maintaining a larger bite.

[Flathead Ed]

Hello all, I see past questions and comments on the Randy Howell Shaky Head Jig. I agree with most who state above the disliking of the Gammy 111 hook. I too am looking at using the VMC 7150 hook. I see several who mentioned this as well, but then no further comments on results. On what other hooks you can use with this shaky head jig...Barlowltackle.com gives GREAT info. what I do is look at the "Main Hook" the mold uses, in this case the Gammy 111. The hook wire measurements is 3/0 = 0.045 up to 5/0 0.053. So now all you need to do is look at a hook and see if it's wire diameter is between 0.044 and 0.054 and you should be good to go.

So I would love any feed back on this combo of mold and hook. If someone would be willing to mail me one in 3/16 with a VMC 7150 hook I would gladly pay you postage.