Chatterbait

[Ghostshad]

I've been watching Ultimate Match Fishing and they've been throwing a chatter bait a lot and have won the match throwing it and my question is how many of you consider the chatter bait your number # 1 bait. I've never had a really good day on one like i have on a rattletrap and a spinnerbait. And what color and where and how you work it.  God Bless And Thank You

[TNBassin']

This is one bait that just won't catch fish for me. I've bought a ton of them and tried numerous trailers and presentations, but Douglas Lake bass don't want any part of them. Like you, I throw rattle baits/red eye shad and spinner baits and do well. Chatterbaits though....frustration.

[Mr Swim Jig]

For me Chatterbaits = FRUSTRATION....lol

[aavery2]

One thing that helped with my catch rate was to slow down my retrieve.  Crank the bait just fast enough to get the wobble and vibration out of it and then don't crank it any faster.  Sometimes this retrieve works very well and the flash and wobble really set the fish on fire.

[F14A-B]

I gave it a try... Right after their introduction, I think a tournament at Toho... Anyway, I bombed and no confidence .. So many other great baits, so little fishing time.

[Bluebasser86]

If you aren't fishing a bladed jig you are missing out, BIG TIME! They're one of my number 1 big fish baits, especially black and blue. My biggest problem was when they first came out they were decent built baits at best, so I started building my own to try and get the best bait I could get. Still constantly tweaking them but I'm really happy with the ones I've got now, to the point that I rarely ever fish a spinnerbait. They just catch way bigger average size fish for me than a spinnerbait does.

I get to play with colors that you can't get in other bladed jigs too. Last Thursday they were really liking Funky Chicken (pink and chartreuse)

[aavery2]

What this guy said  ^^^^^^^

[beagle 25]

This is my big fish bait 3 of the 4 5+ pounders I caught this year came off a chatterbait. I don't get a ton of bites but the ones I get tend to bigger.

[Kevin22]

One thing that helped with my catch rate was to slow down my retrieve.  Crank the bait just fast enough to get the wobble and vibration out of it and then don't crank it any faster.  Sometimes this retrieve works very well and the flash and wobble really set the fish on fire.

 

 

That has been my experience as well. There are three ways to fish it effectively. 

1. Just go down the shore and toss like a spinnerbait or square bill

2. Burning above grass or through pads. 

3. Slow rolling it just fast enough that you can feel the bait shake. 

 

#3 is how I usually end up catching fish. 

[iabass8]

If you aren't fishing a bladed jig you are missing out, BIG TIME! They're one of my number 1 big fish baits, especially black and blue. My biggest problem was when they first came out they were decent built baits at best, so I started building my own to try and get the best bait I could get. Still constantly tweaking them but I'm really happy with the ones I've got now, to the point that I rarely ever fish a spinnerbait. They just catch way bigger average size fish for me than a spinnerbait does.

I get to play with colors that you can't get in other bladed jigs too. Last Thursday they were really liking Funky Chicken (pink and chartreuse)

Do you have any experience of using a football head instead of the alien/swimjig style head? I've never used the head you built that one on but I'm curious the difference of using that head vs the football head /w the splint ring so it hits the sides of the head.  I'm a big fan of the blade hitting the head but it takes a while to "break" the bait in. 

 

Does your head come through grass easier? I've found that the head I use is incredible around rock(obviously) and wood but could be improved around grass.

[deadadrift89]

I like them in certain conditions like 2' or less water clarity,dusk or when theres a windy day. I use a havoc grass pig as trailer with about 1"cut off. As stated above black/blue is my most productive. Also do well ripping out of grass on flats like a lipless crank.

[Bluebasser86]

Do you have any experience of using a football head instead of the alien/swimjig style head? I've never used the head you built that one on but I'm curious the difference of using that head vs the football head /w the splint ring so it hits the sides of the head.  I'm a big fan of the blade hitting the head but it takes a while to "break" the bait in. 

 

Does your head come through grass easier? I've found that the head I use is incredible around rock(obviously) and wood but could be improved around grass.

Actually the original ones I made were with a football and a finesse jig head, and I still use them occasionally when I need a bait I can retrieve faster. The swim jig head cuts through the water easily so it tends to rise pretty quickly. The football head takes a much smaller hook also and doesn't look as nice, but they catch lots of fish still.

The swim jig head does come through the weeds a little better but like I said, I'm always tweaking my baits and trying new ideas. The end results in trying to find a design that came through weeds and heavy wood better was these guys.

They're a swinging football head with a 5/0 Owner Twistlock XXX that can be rigged virtually weedless so they come through stuff much better and can be ripped through weeds very well. The hinged head and hook helps keep fish stuck by reducing the amount of leverage they can get on the jump too. 

[Jeff H]

Funny this subject shows up now.  I have never used one and don't own any but within the last week started to consider giving them a try.  I'm gonna get a couple and see what happens.

[DelcoSol]

What style trailer do you prefer? A craw of swimbait style? I have been wanting to try the new Rage ones since the Chatterbait ones are crappy sometimes. The major problem I have is keeping the d**n pickerel/pike away from them.. GYCB swim bait in shad color seemed to work well for a trailer. I have been wanting to try a rage craw.

[aavery2]

I have been having good luck with the Berkely Havoc twin tail grubs

[Bluebasser86]

What style trailer do you prefer? A craw of swimbait style? I have been wanting to try the new Rage ones since the Chatterbait ones are crappy sometimes. The major problem I have is keeping the d**n pickerel/pike away from them.. GYCB swim bait in shad color seemed to work well for a trailer. I have been wanting to try a rage craw.

Really no limit to what you can use. Believe it or not, 2/3 of a 5" stick worm is one of my favorite trailers. The Zman Turbo Crawz is one I'm really starting to like. 4 or 5 inch grubs work well, the Havoc Beat Shad is a good one, part of a trick worm works well, the end of a swimming tail worm is good, swimming and regular flukes are good, a Rage Menace or Havoc pit boss rigged on it's side is a killer when they want more action.