Blades For Chatter Baits

[Angry John]

Are there different blade shapes for chatter baits. The prepackaged ones all look the same. Just studying up on spinnerbaits and wondered if there was any variation in chayterbaits other than color.

[Bluebasser86]

Zman has the patent On the coffin shape blades. You can pretty much buy the same shaped ones with or without the holes in them. I bend mine to change the action and vibration though.

[Angry John]

How do you bend them and what does it do? Is there a mod to make them work while reeling slower

[Bluebasser86]

I use heavy bull nose pliers and bend them down. It makes them vibrate harder and during a slower retrieve and if you know how to do it right they'll also kick out occasionally during the retrieve, a bit like the hunting action that is so desired in squarebills. 

[Brnnoser6983]

A lot of your tackle making sites have the blades. From z man style with and without holes. You can than also pick up the split rings you will need.

[Ozark_Basser]

I use heavy bull nose pliers and bend them down. It makes them vibrate harder and during a slower retrieve and if you know how to do it right they'll also kick out occasionally during the retrieve, a bit like the hunting action that is so desired in squarebills.

Have you experimented with head shape as far as how the bait hunts? I've noticed that arky heads hunt a lot better than swimjig heads. Especially with no trailer.

[Bluebasser86]

Have you experimented with head shape as far as how the bait hunts? I've noticed that arky heads hunt a lot better than swimjig heads. Especially with no trailer.

I find the bend of the blades effects the hunting action more than the head shape. Actually the narrower swim jig heads seem to hunt better because the water shoves them around more than the fatter heads.

[Ozark_Basser]

I find the bend of the blades effects the hunting action more than the head shape. Actually the narrower swim jig heads seem to hunt better because the water shoves them around more than the fatter heads.

Aah I see. I don't have a mold for the head you use. The mold I have for the swim jig head is the poison tail. It's triangular and keeps the bait really straight. I haven't noticed one kick out yet.

[Angry John]

I would figure head shape in combination with blade size would change depth a lot

[Ozark_Basser]

I would figure head shape in combination with blade size would change depth a lot

As far as an arky head compared to the poison tail, I haven't noticed a huge difference in depth if any. The thickness of the skirt and weight of the head seem to be bigger factors in determining depth.

A 3/8 oz head with a thick 60 strand bio silk skirt is a good choice if you want it to stay higher in the water column with a slow retrieve. The bio silk really wiggles behind the blade as well.

[Bluebasser86]

I would figure head shape in combination with blade size would change depth a lot

You can vary the depth the bait runs a lot by the angle the blade is bent as well. Just like a jig, a bulky skirt or trailer will make them fall slower and ride higher. 

[Angry John]

A pic or two of blade tweeks would be amazing

[Bluebasser86]

A pic or two of blade tweeks would be amazing

The sharper the bend, the higher the bait will ride. You can get a bit of an idea from these pictures.

[Angry John]

Thanks man