Chatterbait Modifications

[Mswen]

I have 5 large, 3/4 oz. custom chatterbait style jigs that I use on a local lake which is known for large bass and also stocked with musky.  Unfortunately they they have a large blade which makes getting good hooksets difficult.  I have seen bubble style blades, and I was wondering if I were to drill a couple of holes in the blades, would it allow for better hooksets?  How else might it affect it?  Would it allow for faster retrieves?

[ClackerBuzz]

i feel ur pain. i love chatterbaits and was disappointed when i received my 3/4oz with that massive blade.

i wanted a heavier chatter that would stay on the bottom...not a giant blade. they def put off tons of vibration to call in fish. the window of opportunity is just much smaller compared to normal size blades.

i actually thought about using metal sheers to trim them down but it's just a bad idea all around.  just add a trailer hook....or sell them like me.

[doyle8218]

If you want a smaller blade just change the blade.

[ClackerBuzz]

If you want a smaller blade just change the blade.

this is why i'm not an engineer

[speed craw]

By drilling holes in the blade , like a cavitron buzzbait , will it bring the buzzbait in a higher water plane or maybe just allow it start vibrating faster ? just curious .

[doyle8218]

Like these.

[Wayne P.]

Like these.PVB3-BLK-1.jpgPVB-BLZ-1.jpg

A Chatterbait does not have a split ring connection between the blade and jig hook.

[doyle8218]

A Chatterbait does not have a split ring connection between the blade and jig hook.

Some do,

[Wayne P.]

Some do,

That is not a Chatterbait. That is knock-off version that is not constructed the same.

[doyle8218]

May not be the "chatterbait" but it is a bladed jig, same thing. If the split ring bothers you, remove it.

[deaknh03]

I have 5 large, 3/4 oz. custom chatterbait style jigs that I use on a local lake which is known for large bass and also stocked with musky.  Unfortunately they they have a large blade which makes getting good hooksets difficult.  I have seen bubble style blades, and I was wondering if I were to drill a couple of holes in the blades, would it allow for better hooksets?  How else might it affect it?  Would it allow for faster retrieves?

Split rings, skirts, jigheads and blades are pretty cheap, just make your own to suit your style and needs. It really is easy and fun.

[Mswen]

Actually, If I could get a good hookset, I'm ok with the blade size.  I'm wondering about bubble style blades and whether they would make much of a difference.  like the one on the right here.

[Smallmouth Hunter]

Trailer hook

[MassBass]

I would think u would need a bigger bite in the hook on your chatterbait. 

[roadwarrior]

Trailer: Rage Tail Eeliminator.

 

Trim the sides of the body for a streamline profile.

[craww]

If you want to keep a chatterbait down, wrap the hook with lead solder. Also use a heavy trailer (that doesnt create "lift") made out of heavier yammamoto type plastic.

[Bluebasser86]

I guess I'm really confused about how the blade on your bladed jig is preventing you from setting the hook?  Fish generally overtake them when they strike and the blade never even comes into play. Maybe the hook is dull or too small? 

[Sam]

You always need a trailer hook on Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

 

To fish one without a trailer hook is not in your best interest.

 

Nailed two on a buzzbait with the trailer hook this past week. Had six hits all together but it seems the bass just wanted to knock the buzzbait aside.  I think they were still in a spawn stage and they were protecting their territory.

 

As for modifications: None to the original and professional Chatterbaits other than to experiment with different skirts and trailers.

 

If you want it to go deeper use a small pegged bullet weight.

 

Otherwise, make sure the hook is sharp; add a trailer hook; and add a trailer of your choice and go out and cast away.

[Bluebasser86]

You always need a trailer hook on Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits.

 

To fish one without a trailer hook is not in your best interest.

 

Nailed two on a buzzbait with the trailer hook this past week. Had six hits all together but it seems the bass just wanted to knock the buzzbait aside.  I think they were still in a spawn stage and they were protecting their territory.

 

As for modifications: None to the original and professional Chatterbaits other than to experiment with different skirts and trailers.

 

If you want it to go deeper use a small pegged bullet weight.

 

Otherwise, make sure the hook is sharp; add a trailer hook; and add a trailer of your choice and go out and cast away.

I NEVER fish a trailer hook on a bladed jig, no exceptions. I miss very few fish on them and feel they hang up way worse with the trailer hook. 

[iabass8]

I NEVER fish a trailer hook on a bladed jig, no exceptions. I miss very few fish on them and feel they hang up way worse with the trailer hook. 

Agree. I'm a big believer in using a trailer hook on a spinnerbait and buzzbait but I would never use one on a chatterbait. More often than not, fish choke these. 

[Smallmouth Hunter]

To be honest I don't use a trailer hook either 99.9999% of the time, but I just threw it out there as a possible solution. I don't see the need for a trailer hook most of the time as bass have no problem engulfing chatterbaits.

[gobig]

If your having trouble on hooksets I would look to your gear. What are you throwing them on? Some times fish just don't eat a bait right either.

[Mswen]

First of all, I fixed the problem.  The blades hadn't been bent far enough back, which I solved with 2 pairs of pliers.  I used them yesterday, and while i didn't catch anything, I could feel the difference immediately.  It didn't take so much effort just to pull them through the water, and I could vary the speed of the retrieve more.

Second, These are musky sized chatterbaits, I came here because I couldn't find much about this type of lure on musky sites.  I'm using 50 lb braid, 60 lb leader, and rod/reel to match, so gear is definitely not the problem.  I would love to catch the few bass that could completely inhale these, with a 7/0 hook and 5 1/2- 6 in. swimbait trailer, but for most of the ones that do hit, that's a bit much.  I'm targeting muskies, but end up catching bass too, hopefully some of the bigger ones, but a 12" largemouth will hit just about anything, apparently.  I was mainly wondering about modifications to the blade, without downsizing it.  Now that they're working right, I may drill one just to see if it makes any difference, or I may move on to other projects.

[cddan]

Add weight to a 1/2 oz with a big split shot between the skirt and trailer. Pinch onto the hook shaft with a little super glue. Seems to work for me.

[shanksmare]

I had issues using a "chatterbait" while using braid and a fast action graphite rod. I would pull the lure away from the fish before they had a chance to engulf it due to the sensitivity of the setup. I switched to mono line and a glass rod. Problem solved!