Chatterbait Bass

[Bankbeater]

I bought some chatterbaits when they first came out, didn't have any luck with them, and they have been pretty much on the bottom of the bait list over the years.
I went out Saturday morning to walk the bank on a pond that I haven't fished yet this year.  The temps were in the mid 40's, and the water was ice cold to the touch.  There was a green pumpkin chatterbait in my tackle box so I tied it on and added a green pumpkin/blue trailer.  I cast out into the deep part of the pond and was slow rolling the bait back when I hooked a 3-09 bass.  It was the only one of the day.  I'm definitely going to have to use chatterbaits more when I fish.

[Catch and Grease]

Nice fish! Yeah I wanna get more into chatterbaits as well...

[Bluebasser86]

They're an extremely effective tool that I think a lot of fishermen don't understand how to use properly. I started out trying to fish them like a spinnerbait and have very limited success. While they are a little similar and the two work in the same general areas, I use them differently and at different times than I do a spinnerbait. You catching that bass in cold water proves one of the common misconceptions wrong that they're a warm water bait only. Keep fishing them and they will continue to reward you

[jbw252]

Congrats - nice fish.  So many lures and so little time...  I gotta try some chatterbaits!

[BammerBass]

Nicely done. Bass fishing, like mathematics, often has alternate ways to get answers/results!! But id defi itely prefer bass fishing any day!!

[MIbassin]

They're an extremely effective tool that I think a lot of fishermen don't understand how to use properly. I started out trying to fish them like a spinnerbait and have very limited success. While they are a little similar and the two work in the same general areas, I use them differently and at different times than I do a spinnerbait. You catching that bass in cold water proves one of the common misconceptions wrong that they're a warm water bait only. Keep fishing them and they will continue to reward you

Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!

[Jtrout]

For some reason a chatterbait was one of the first baits I picked up when I started bass fishjng and I caught my PB and a bunch of others since then. I like white ones with a matching paddle tail swimbait or blue gill color with a matching paddle tail swim bait. Sometimes If the swim baits are to big I bite the heads off.

[Bluebasser86]

Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!

Spinnerbaits for me are a more clear water or faster retrieve bait or when fish are feeding on smaller baitfish. I fish my bladed jigs extremely slowly, just fast enough to keep the blade vibrating, even bumping the bottom if possible. In lakes that see lots a spinnerbaits, a bladed jig is a good replacement. They also shine in stained or dirty water or around vegetation because the strong vibration helps the fish hone in on the bait.

There are times I will fish them faster (over vegetation for example), but 9 out of 10 larger bass I catch on them will be during a very slow retrieve. I've had good success with them using a stroking or pumping retrieve, letting them settle to the bottom then lifting the rod quickly before letting it settle again.

I think 2 of the biggest mistakes I see guys make with bladed jigs are, 1. fishing them too fast and 2. not recognizing a bite. Like I said, I like to fish them slowly. The issue then becomes that a big bass can lazily swim up to the bait, inhale it while maintaining a similar pace, then spit the bait out without it ever feeling much different. I can't count the number of big fish I've caught on them where it felt just slightly different. Sometimes it feels like the blade has quite working, other times like I've caught a leaf or piece of weeds. I think the common notion is that since it's a moving bait the strikes will be vicious, which they certainly are at times, but more often than not they're much more subtle than I think most fishermen expect. I first realized this by fishing clear water and actually seeing bass strike my bait and noticing that I felt very little despite the bait being almost completely inhaled on a couple occasions. I thought back and realized I'd felt similar strikes lots of times before but never realized they were strikes. Once I started setting the hook on those little bumps and when the blade just wasn't vibrating as hard, I was amazed how many fish I was catching that I didn't even know were there before. 

Lastly, it's always possible that they just aren't a good tool in the areas you're fishing them. If you fish anywhere with stained water and vegetation though, I'm 100% certain there is a time when they will shine for you. 

[roadwarrior]

I have had great luck this year with a white skirt and white Rage Structure Bug trailer.

Another suggestion is fishing the Chatterbait skirtless with a Cut-R trailer. For a much

slower presentation the Rage Blade rules!

 

 

 

 

[HoosierHawgs]

Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!

 

I generally fish a chatterbait around grass. I choose to fish a spinnerbait around grass as well, but less than the bladed jig. I prefer a spinnerbait around other types of cover, and when they're is more light penetration.

[*Hank]

Nice man I have caught one yet on a chatterbait but hope to get one soon.

[Felixone]

Sometimes it feels like the blade has quite working, other times like I've caught a leaf or piece of weeds.

 

 

Thank you very much for this.  I don't know why but chatterbaits are one of the lures I really wanted to work for me, but all I have caught on them are pickerel.  Honestly I had kind of given up on them.  However, after reading this I realized that I too might be missing a bunch of strikes.  I couldn't even begin to guess how many times I have fished them and on retrieve felt something similar to what you describe.  It makes me wonder how many fish I have missed.  I have plans to head out for a couple hours tomorrow so I will definitely give them another shot.  Even though it hasn't been successful yet in regards to bass I also use similar retrieve techniques.  Some times I will just slowly reel in just fast enough to get the blade just barely moving, other times I will do a fast retrieve.  The retrieve I use the most though is the "pumping" style you mentioned.  I typically raise the rod tip up just far enough I feel a small "buzz" from the blade before letting it settle again.  I will reel the slack line in as it sinks back down.

[MikeinFresno]

Two times Ive had strikes on the first cast with them. Both times it was the lift and fall retrieve. Both times a failed to get the hook thru the lips. I came to realize with the larger thicker wire hook I needed to use a heavier rod to pinch it thru the lip.

[BassinBobSmith]

All good info guys. But something I've also noticed is that when the wind is blowing and the water choppy the spinnerbait will generally outfish the chatterbait shallow, whereas when its clear and calm the chatterbait seems to be the better of the two.

 

I like a Zoom Swimming Fluke as a trailer probably 80 percent of the time, normally use the 3/8 - 1/2 ounce bladed jigs, going back and forth between Z-Man and Rage Blade. The Rage Blade does seem to be more resistant to hanging up though, maybe because the weight is on the bottom of the blade and not behind it. I also keep a lot of different skirts in the boat and change them to match the conditions when I need to.

 

Fish them, have faith in them, and they'll catch fish. Took me a while before I started using them and I regret not jumping on the bandwagon when it first rolled out

[Bluebasser86]

All good info guys. But something I've also noticed is that when the wind is blowing and the water choppy the spinnerbait will generally outfish the chatterbait shallow, whereas when its clear and calm the chatterbait seems to be the better of the two.

 

 

I've found the opposite of this to be true, normally I do better with a spinnerbait than a bladed jig when it's calm and clear. Just shows the importance of experimenting and finding what works best in each situation and location. 

[Choporoz]

Add me to the list of those without confidence in a bladed jig.  I think I've given them a reasonable shot, but perhaps not always as slow as possible.  I have gotten a few strikes, but have had zero hook-ups.  I have tried blue, white/red, green/brown, red, white.....tried the zman trailers, flukes, grubs, finesse worm trailers.....all with same lack of success.    I'll probably give them another shot in the spring, but I'm close to abandoning them altogether.

[Bluebasser86]

Add me to the list of those without confidence in a bladed jig.  I think I've given them a reasonable shot, but perhaps not always as slow as possible.  I have gotten a few strikes, but have had zero hook-ups.  I have tried blue, white/red, green/brown, red, white.....tried the zman trailers, flukes, grubs, finesse worm trailers.....all with same lack of success.    I'll probably give them another shot in the spring, but I'm close to abandoning them altogether.

Not fishing the Zman one are you? I never could hook a fish with that junk hook either. 

[riverbasser13]

The last time I was in Wal Mart I picked up a white 1/8th oz z man chatterbait. It was in the dollar bin so what the heck. It's been the only bait producing for me in the ponds I fish. There are better ones out there though so I've upgraded, but the bladed jig/chatterbait is definitely in my game plan now. Great tips by bluebasser also, I'll be setting the hook a little quicker from now on.

[AK-Jax86]

Nice bass

I didn't read any responses but if you use a chatterbait with some type of paddle tail swimbait it works real good. I like the Havoc 3.5" ones I forget the actual name of the bait but it's a swimbaits with a paddle tail. Bass here in North FL are tearing them up

[Choporoz]

Not fishing the Zman one are you? I never could hook a fish with that junk hook either. 

Yes.  All but one were zman chatterbaits.  I did get a Rage Blade this summer and tossed it a number of times.  I will admit that I was probably not giving it an honest try since I'd pretty much given up on bladed jigs by then.  

[roadwarrior]

(1) Try the Rage Blade using a white Rage Structure Bug rigged horizontal (flat). 

 

(2)  Remove the skirt and fish the Rage Blade with a Cut-R trailer (tail down).

 

The Rage Blade is designed to fish slow. Try to tick the bottom on retrieve

and pop it occasionally. This is a presentation I was taught by The Master.

 

 

 

 

[Choporoz]

Interesting.  Thanks!  I never considered a Structure Bug for a trailer -- just seems like more bulk than I generally consider. 

 

And....I'm not positive about the white....I trust you and all...and will give it a try....but it is definitely not a confidence color for me here in VA.  Maybe one day a year I'll get some hits on a white Senko, but little confidence in anything else white -- even those great looking pearl Super Flukes (chart. tipped tail) don't get it done for me. 

 

   The Cut-R trailer certainly sounds like a winner.  Not all that different a look than when I cut off tore-up head of Cut R's and put them on scrounger head.  Winner.

[roadwarrior]

You don't need to buy any white bugs, just send me your

address in a PM and I will mail you a few.

 

-Kent

[MassBass]

I think this cold season is the niche that will make the rage blade shine. I am looking to give my rage blade another try; but during spring and summer my Zman baits downright outperformed the rage blade.  

[Bluebasser86]

(1) Try the Rage Blade using a white Rage Structure Bug rigged horizontal (flat). 

 

(2)  Remove the skirt and fish the Rage Blade with a Cut-R trailer (tail down).

 

The Rage Blade is designed to fish slow. Try to tick the bottom on retrieve

and pop it occasionally. This is a presentation I was taught by The Master.

 

 

 

 

I'd never tried a Bug sideways and one day I tried it out of desperation when I forgot my trailers in the truck and got my tail bit off. Pulled my Bug off my T rig and proceeded to putting the smack down on them with the vertically rigged Bug. A Havoc Pitboss works well too but the Rage has a lot more action without creating as much lift.