Glass Rods For Chatterbaits

[ZB85]

I was watching Iaconelli interview Brett Hite on Chatterbaits and Hite says he uses a heavy action glass rod when fishing Chatterbaits. Do any of you guys use a glass rod for chatterbaits and if so do you like it better than graphite?

[georgeyew]

I sometimes do. I like the flex of a fiberglass rod for chatterbaits. Same for all my moving baits. It gives the fish more time to eat the bait.

[iabass8]

I think hite uses the dobyns 705cb glass for chatterbaits. I use that rod for squarebills. I didint like for chatterbaits or spinnerbaits. I much prefer the champ 734 for those.

[A-Jay]

I like glass for treble hook baits.

As for Chatter baits, I've only been throwing them for a very short time, but so far I prefer a Graphite stick and 12-15 lb mono; same as Spinner baits.

Unless there's very thick vegetation, then it's braid.

** Edit ** ~ 12 Dec 2016.  Have switched to a composite stick.  I like it quite a bit.  Line choices are now 15 lb Invisx for light to moderate cover & braid for in & around the Jungle.

A-Jay

[Jrob78]

I think hite uses the dobyns 705cb glass for chatterbaits. I use that rod for squarebills. I didint like for chatterbaits or spinnerbaits. I much prefer the champ 734 for those.

Hite uses Evergreen rods.

[J Francho]

Same rod I'd use for a spinner bait. It has to be x-fast to quickly load and drive a relatively gig hook home. A slower crank bait rod does not work great for me.

[iabass8]

Hite uses Evergreen rods.

Im thinking of somebody else

[tbone1993]

I know a few old timers that switched to glass rods for their spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. I believe it was something rick clunn mentioned to him when he fished the classic.  I know they used to be mainly glass rods but I believe clunn didnt switch over whent hey went to g

[ZB85]

I normally just use a 7'mh/f for chatterbaits but then I heard Hite likes to use Glass rods.. I throw chatterbaits alot so it got me thinking a little

[Teal]

People are getting too darn specialized.

Whatever happened to using a 7'MH or. 7M for anything ....

Glass rods ans Moderate fast graphites are too slow of a taper to quickly drive a big jig hook of a spinner bait or a chatter, jog or whatever... If u want a little more whip in the rod use a Med, but rod needs to be a xf or a fast tip

This a situation where a standard jig and worm rod...aka the modern bass rod would be fine. 7mh,f or xf

[DTack]

He has been a big fan of the heavy glass rod for a while.  Before using the Evergreen he had a rod made by Performance Tackle that was also a 7'4" medium-heavy/heavy glass model.  He is definitely worth listening to when it comes to fishing a chatterbait or vibrating jig.  The only caution I would throw out is that you may be looking at a heavy glass rod that is in fact HEAVY in your hand if you're not ponying up for a high priced rod. 

[DTack]

Has anyone who is saying a glass rod has too slow a taper or too much tip to drive a single jig hook home taken a look at Brett Hite's results when using a vibrating jig?  Just curious, because he has done well with it and caught a lot of big fish on it... 
Not saying it can't be fished and fish can't be landed with standard 7' medium heavy graphite rod, but to say a HEAVY glass rod won't work doesn't seem right anymore.

[ZB85]

He has been a big fan of the heavy glass rod for a while. Before using the Evergreen he had a rod made by Performance Tackle that was also a 7'4" medium-heavy/heavy glass model. He is definitely worth listening to when it comes to fishing a chatterbait or vibrating jig. The only caution I would throw out is that you may be looking at a heavy glass rod that is in fact HEAVY in your hand if you're not ponying up for a high priced rod.

Does the rod have to be a Heavy? Would a medium/heavy glass rod get the job done?

[smalljaw67]

I tried my 7' MH glass rod for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits and I didn't lose a single fish once it was hooked but I did miss 2 that hit in the grass and I never got the hook to penetrate. I'd say glass would be great if you are fishing bare banks, rock points and ledges but if you are going to in vegetation or wood then I wouldn't use it, just a little bit of grass was able to make a hook set a problem or me. The other issue is I just like the feel of graphite, when I stick a fish I know it is on but glass will work.

[DTack]

Does the rod have to be a Heavy? Would a medium/heavy glass rod get the job done?

I really can't make much recommendation.  I haven't used a glass rod at all for it.  I wouldn't personally be comfortable with one rated as MH, I think that is why he had some special made as Heavy and uses one rated as Heavy by Evergreen. 

[Teal]

I haven't seen Mr. Hite fish, so I can't comment but I have seen a 16 year old inexperienced angler catch 10 decent LMB with a shimano Clarus 6'8MH, F and he didn't miss or lose any. With a chattwrbait the weekend before last

I'm not here advocating a rod brand, I'm just saying, for these purposes why not get a rod Luke mentioned above that can be used for anything and will do well with most .... Ill save the cranking rods for cranking baits

[einscodek]

I like a glass rod for cigar topwaters but otherwise like a flippin rod for quick hooksets.

[DTack]

People are getting too darn specialized.

Whatever happened to using a 7'MH or. 7M for anything ....

Glass rods ans Moderate fast graphites are too slow of a taper to quickly drive a big jig hook of a spinner bait or a chatter, jog or whatever... If u want a little more whip in the rod use a Med, but rod needs to be a xf or a fast tip

This a situation where a standard jig and worm rod...aka the modern bass rod would be fine. 7mh,f or xf

 

In the process of catching 7-9 lb fish regularly he probably started experimenting to find what works best for him with his system.  Would a 7' MH work, I'm sure it would.  Would it catch every fish?  Doubt it.  Would any rod for that matter?  No.  Does Brett Hite know more about catching 30+ lb limits on a chatterbait than I do?  Absolutely.  Will I listen to what he has to say?  Yes, absolutely.  Will I go out and buy an $800 imported rod because he says so?  Absolutely not.  Will I reconsider my rod choice the next time I lose a fish on a chatterbait?  Likely. 

 

Due to his success using a Glass rod and my success using a Moderate Fast graphite.. I don't believe they are too slow of a taper to quickly drive a big jig hook. 

I DO NOT by any means think that a 7' MH rod will not catch chatterbait fish.  Everyone is different, I think rod, reel, line and even hook can play a factor when hooking a fish and putting them in the boat. 

 

For someone looking to use a rod for multiple techniques or baits, I think a 7'3-7'4 medium heavy to heavy action is an awesome choice!

[iabass8]

Here's what I was refering to:

 

http://dobynsrods.com/video/bladed-jigs-for-big-bass-using-the-705cb-glass/

 

I didn't like throwing chatterbaits on this rod. Love it for squarebills but still prefer the 734 for chatterbaits.

[Grantman83]

Gotta give me credit in that he has at least been consistent in what he likes. He must really let them eat it before setting the hook.

I've thrown them on the 734c with heavy mono/fluoro, dx 704 with 40lb braid and a custom 7'3MhM with 30lb braid.

I prefer the 734 most of the time as it is a rod with a very forgiving tip but a heck of amount of power. Combine that with some forgiving line and you can really let them eat it and still have the power to move them. In weeds, the dx704 and braid has less of a tip and the braid helps me rip them through easier.

I listened to Hite on the western bass podcast and he mentioned that guys on flw where throwing them on flipping sticks with 80lb braid in Florida and losing tons of fish. I think he goes glass because he wants the forgiveness in the rod as compared to guys who throw them like a jig and just wanna haul them in. Hence the heavy glass rod as opposed to a heavy flipping stick. I feel like the 734 is a good blend of both these attributes, heavy powe but forgiving enough. That's why it's so good for spinnerbaits and even large spooks.

Paul mueller used the 734 of chatterbaits at the classic and he had no problem catching the biggest day in classic history on it. Different strokes for different folks.

[hatrix]

I will use a glass rod for a lot of jig hook type baits. The only stipulation is I have to be also using braided line. With sharp hooks and no stretch line I have no issues sticking fish. I made the switch a few years back because I would get super fast hard strike and no one would be home when I went for a hook set. I personally feel like when they slam into a moving bait on a F/XF graphite rod they feel it and spit it out right away.

Maybe it's just me be there is certain baits I prefer to use glass with that does not include treble hooks. If I am fishing grass I still use graphite so I can rip it free.

I use to have big issues with hook sets on grass minnows and weedless shads. I made the switch to glass spinning and braided line and I get them all now. Everything kind of went from there. I am just trying to give them more flex to really inhale the bait with little resistance while having no stretch line and still being able to drive a hook home with no issues.

[shanksmare]

Brett Hite is probably the best chatterbait type fisherman on the planet. He has won close to a million dollars using this lure, so when he speaks, I listen. If you listen to what he says about CB fishing, he believes that a slower action glass or composite rod and flouro line with more than normal stretch are key for him. He believes the way the CB springs off of weeds when jerked using a glass rod  is more strike enducing than when using a fast action graphite rod. He also believes that the slower action glass rod allows the bass to engulf the CB easier than a faster action rod. He states that worst combo is a graphite rod and braided line.

No less an authority than Rick Clunn also believes in using glass rods for all reaction type baits. He tried graphite rods and braid with reaction type lures but found it wound up costing him fish.

For close to forty years my most used lure for bass fishing has been the spinnerbait. Of late I have been using the chatterbait type lures and swim jigs with good results.  I was using a moderately fast graphite rod and mono for a while. I then switched to braid and noticed I was missing quite a few hits. Lots of times I could see the fish hit the lure. It appeared that they were hitting short. I changed to a heavy action glass rod and mono line. My success with these lures has increases dramatically. I'm sure I was reacting too quickly, with the less forgiving tackle, and pulling the lure away from the bass before they had a chance to fully engulf it.

But its like anything else, use what works for you. I tend to listen to those who are successful at the highest level. It doesn't always work, but what does?

[ZB85]

Brett Hite is probably the best chatterbait type fisherman on the planet. He has won close to a million dollars using this lure, so when he speaks, I listen. If you listen to what he says about CB fishing, he believes that a slower action glass or composite rod and flouro line with more than normal stretch are key for him. He believes the way the CB springs off of weeds when jerked using a glass rod is more strike enducing than when using a fast action graphite rod. He also believes that the slower action glass rod allows the bass to engulf the CB easier than a faster action rod. He states that worst combo is a graphite rod and braided line.

No less an authority than Rick Clunn also believes in using glass rods for all reaction type baits. He tried graphite rods and braid with reaction type lures but found it wound up costing him fish.

For close to forty years my most used lure for bass fishing has been the spinnerbait. Of late I have been using the chatterbait type lures and swim jigs with good results. I was using a moderately fast graphite rod and mono for a while. I then switched to braid and noticed I was missing quite a few hits. Lots of times I could see the fish hit the lure. It appeared that they were hitting short. I changed to a heavy action glass rod and mono line. My success with these lures has increases dramatically. I'm sure I was reacting too quickly, with the less forgiving tackle, and pulling the lure away from the bass before they had a chance to fully engulf it.

But its like anything else, use what works for you. I tend to listen to those who are successful at the highest level. It doesn't always work, but what does?

Brett Hite uses a $800 imported rod though. Are there any Heavy action glass rods on the market that are affordable?

[ZB85]

Gotta give me credit in that he has at least been consistent in what he likes. He must really let them eat it before setting the hook.

I've thrown them on the 734c with heavy mono/fluoro, dx 704 with 40lb braid and a custom 7'3MhM with 30lb braid.

I prefer the 734 most of the time as it is a rod with a very forgiving tip but a heck of amount of power. Combine that with some forgiving line and you can really let them eat it and still have the power to move them. In weeds, the dx704 and braid has less of a tip and the braid helps me rip them through easier.

I listened to Hite on the western bass podcast and he mentioned that guys on flw where throwing them on flipping sticks with 80lb braid in Florida and losing tons of fish. I think he goes glass because he wants the forgiveness in the rod as compared to guys who throw them like a jig and just wanna haul them in. Hence the heavy glass rod as opposed to a heavy flipping stick. I feel like the 734 is a good blend of both these attributes, heavy powe but forgiving enough. That's why it's so good for spinnerbaits and even large spooks.

Paul mueller used the 734 of chatterbaits at the classic and he had no problem catching the biggest day in classic history on it. Different strokes for different folks.

Is the 734 savvy the same as the 734 champion in regards to action, taper, etc?

[iabass8]

Is the 734 savvy the same as the 734 champion in regards to action, taper, etc?

For the most part, yes.

The champ is a tad faster but its not something you would notice unless you used both.

I prefer the champ blank though