The Best Floating Worm for Shaky Head Fishing

Shaky head fishing is one of the most popular and productive finesse techniques there is. No matter what time of year it is or what kind of mood the bass are in, you can catch some on a shaky head.

And I would say that most guys like to fish a floating worm on their shaky head. Not everyone does, but the floating finesse worm is definitely the standard bait to rig up on your shaky head.

So what is the best floating worm for shaky head fishing?

Important Notice:

I feel like it is important to mentioned that the exact worm you choose is not all that important. I have fished the shaky head for years and caught tons of bass with it.

And I have used tons of different floating worms and they all work great. At the end of the day, they all have essentially the exact same profile, action, and color options.

So don’t stress too much about making sure you get the perfect bait. With that being said, I do have a favorite floating worm that if I could only choose one, I would pick above the others.

Z-Man SMH Wormz

Designed by pro angler Brian Latimer, the Z-Man SMH Wormz is my favorite floating worm to fish on a shaky head. There are two things that I really like about the SMH Worm.

First and foremost, the SMH worm is made out of ElaZtech material. This material from Z-Man is terrific. It is incredibly stretchy and durable, so one single worm will last you dozens of bass before tearing up at all.

The ElaZtech material is also what gives the worm its buoyancy and makes it float very well. And lastly, this material is super soft and squishy, which helps the hook point easily push through the worm and ensure a high hook up percentage.

The second reason is the slightly unique shape. I say “slightly” because there’s only so much you can do to a straight tail finesse worm.

But, the SMH worm does have a bit thicker front half, almost like a Senko bait. And then the back half is still very thin with the classic bulbous tail for better action.

Now I don’t know if this slightly different shape actually gets more bites, but it does give me extra confidence knowing that the bass haven’t seen the exact bait I’m using.

• Salt impregnated for added casting weight, taste, and texture
• Ideal body thickness for easy hooksets
• Thin mid-section and bulbous tail produces lively action
• Buoyant ElaZtech material floats up off the bottom at rest
• Nose mates perfectly with SMH JigheadZ
• Quantity per pack: 7

SMH WormZ Breakdown:

Best Colors for Shaky Head Worms

In my opinion, it’s best to keep it as simple as possible when it comes to color selection. Once you get enough experience and start catching bass, then you can certainly experiment as much as you like.

But when first getting confidence with the shaky head, don’t overthink the color of your worm. I narrow it down to these three colors.

• Green Pumpkin: Clear water
• Junebug: Stained/muddy water
• Plum: Summertime/high water temperatures

Recommended Shaky Head Jigs

For a full breakdown, we actually have another article going over our favorite shaky head jigs. Read here: Best Shaky Head Jigs

But the top recommendation for jig heads is actually the SMH Jig Head. Brain Latimer also designed a jig head that pairs perfectly with the SMH WormZ as well as any other finesse worm.

Reeling this In

So, while the specific floating worm you tie onto your shaky head isn’t the be-all and end-all for catching bass, the Z-Man SMH Wormz stands out as a top contender.

Its durable and buoyant ElaZtech construction, coupled with a subtly unique profile, offers both longevity and a touch of difference that can inspire confidence on the water.

And when it comes to color, keeping it simple with green pumpkin, junebug, or plum will get you started on the right track.

Paired with a quality jig like the SMH Jig Head, you’ll be well-equipped to experience the year-round effectiveness of shaky head fishing.