Chatterbait observation

[Marty]

I've noticed that the action on the Chatterbait seemed considerably less enticing (to me) than the Boogee Bait. It took me too long to observe that the trailer packed with the Chatterbait is only about 3", whereas the Boogee's trailer and most spinnerbait trailers are about 4". So I replaced the provided trailer with a conventional spinnerbait trailer and the action looked much wilder. That extra 1" makes a difference.

Now, over the course of a year, I don't know if this would make a difference of even one fish, but I like it better and it gives me more confidence.

[Cephkiller]

I like to replace the trailer with a fluke.  It really seems to increase the size I catch without noticeably reducing numbers.

[eyedabassman]

I like to replace the trailer with a fluke. It really seems to increase the size I catch without noticeably reducing numbers.

When you fish the chatterbait with a fluke,do you take the skirt off or fish the fluke with the skirt on?

[Cephkiller]

I leave the skirt on and just use it as a trailer.  I'm sure it would work without the skirt as well.  I've seen one of these for sale new but I can't remember the name.  Saltwater Chatterbait maybe?

[jasone]

Of the swimming type jigs, I have used two and saw another one in action.

All three worked great recently for fish up in buck brush and mustard flowers.

I've been using the original chatterbait the most. I like the action but the skirt is lacking. I added a mister twister to the hook for more action. I don't like the hookup ratio but it could be that the fish are short striking me.

I used and watched a buddy use the Strike King pure poison. I must say that the action is as good or better than the chatterbait. The big difference is that skirt. The thing flows and kicks sideways. Looked great in the water. I watched him pull a 4lb male off a bed with it.

I watched another buddy with the Boogee bait. The skirt action was not as nice as the SK PP. It does have the tails but he ended up adding a grub also to addd some action. The hookups seemed good with the leverage hook system. I had wondered about that.

J

[Marty]

The hookups seemed good with the leverage hook system.  I had wondered about that.  

I've been having a terrible time. This year I've caught 16 bass on the Boogee, but have failed to catch at least a dozen which struck. I don't know the reason why, but I've been thinking that the Leverage may be working against me. But for whatever reason, that ratio is unacceptable and I'll be trying others, since I have some issues with the Chatterbait. Next one up is Gambler's Swim Blade.

[GatorBK]

I add an owner 4/0 worm hook as a trailer to my chatterbaits and they work a lot better on hook up.

[5bass]

I've been having a terrible time. This year I've caught 16 bass on the Boogee, but have failed to catch at least a dozen which struck.

I've been having trouble with the longer tails on the BoogieBait....thats all the fish will grab is the tails. I watched 3 or 4 fish roll out on it and on hookset the bait comes flying back without any tails. I had to switch trailers to a shorter one just so the fish could grab the hook.

The length of the tails seems like a big deal here lately. One day longer is fine, next day you gotta go short.

[IneedAnewScreenName-i098509]

Hook ups and blades coming detached are the 2 biggest complaints about the original.

[Fish Man]

the only problem ive had with th leverage hooks on the boogee bait is that its hard as h#@$ to get it out of the fishes mouth if you dont have your pliers handy..for me thats quite often when bank fishing

[skillet]

 Just bought a Boogee Bait (a first for that type of bait) and as long as those legs are was wondering about fish short striking it. As someone said above, there are days when they want those long legs. Sounds like a rock and a hard place  :-?...

                                                 As ever,

                                                  Skillet

[skillet]

RnR27,

 My wife makes cloth dolls and does a lot of sewing for people. She always has 5 or 6 pair of hemostats lieing around, so I "liberated" a pair for the cause. They fit in your back pocket great, are strong and stainless steele (won't rust). You can get them where sewing supplies are sold, even some Wal-Marts...

                                                             As Ever,

                                                              Skillet

[Fish Man]

i have a pair of those that i got in the ER the day i got a hook stuck in my head..i put them in my tackle box but they always get lost in that seemingly bottomless pit lol and i have a horrible memory and forget about them all the time.im going tommorow morning an will have to give em a try

thanks for the heads up  

[Guest avid]

I like to replace the trailer with a fluke. It really seems to increase the size I catch without noticeably reducing numbers.

Hey ceph, a regular fluke or super fluke?

[Cephkiller]

I suppose either would work.  I actually use a Gambler Flap-n-Shad which is a lot closer to a Super Fluke (even bigger, actually).  I just used fluke as a generic term.  I really like anything with a straight tail.  Swimming tails act as a keel and reduce the action.

[Sam]

I have caught many on the Chatterbait but the one I remember the most is the one I lost in a tournament last year which would have given me my five fish limit.

It was my fault, totally.  I did not relaize he was on until it was too late as I was looking around the boat for something.  He made one nice jump when I set the hook;  took one look at me; and spit out the Chatterbait.

I have not used a trailer hook but will do so in future tournaments.

As for trailers, I have not used anything other than what comes with the bait but I llike the fluke idea.  Thanks for sharing it.

[captaininsaneo]

With the complaints about short strikes i would def use a fluke Jr.  I am yet to fish a chatter bait, but I've heard people compare it to a "jig that fishes like a crankbait"  Is this true?

[MALTESE FALCON]

Captaininsaneo,

I can't think of a better comparison for the chatterbait. Maybe a jig that swims like a crankbait with an attitude. (lots of vibration)

Falcon

[IneedAnewScreenName-i098509]

Crankbait, spinnerbait, jig all in one. You really can't fish them wrong.

[lacab]

I like to use a Fluke on mine also. Making chatterbaits helped to pass the time during the long winter. Here is a pic of my favorite custom made chatter style bait. I trim the fluke a little to the bait a better over all look.

[IneedAnewScreenName-i098509]

Heres a few colors I make.

[Cephkiller]

You obviously take pride in your work.  Those are very nice.

[jomatty]

one observation i have is that i can not catch any fish on the chatterbait.  it is my may challenge so ill keep working on it but ill be catching fish on both a spinnerbait, jig, swimming jig, and crank and nothing on a chatterbait.  ive seen a number of fish just high tail it out of there like someone had released a great white into the lake and it was coming after them.  the only time ive had any success has been at night.

matt