Best "Chatterbait" style bait by brand

[jignjake]

Ok guys, looking to get started in "Chatterbait" fishing, have read a lot about common problems with these style baits. Ex; blades detaching, consistent wobble, hook strength, length and trailer keeper etc. So a shout out to the hardcore "Chatterbait" fisherman.......... What's THE best make and model and why? Also any tips on trailers or techniques are appreciated.  Thanks

[bowhunter63]

Rage Blade and Rage twin tail trailer.I like it best because the blade pivots and its great around rocks.As far as hook sets go never had a problem.In the spring i like a shad color with a small swim bait trailer.It just flat out catches fish.

[Bluebasser86]

From a couple weeks ago. Bladed jigs is another common name for chatterbaits. 

 

 

[jignjake]

Wow, thanks a ton guys. Can't wait to try some chatter baits as soon as spring gets here! 

Tight lines!

[MDBowHunter]

Check out Sebert Outdoors Fogy, I started using them last spring. I feel they're the best out there, the ZMan ones are junk. Besides Sebert Outdoors is a site sponsor, and their bladed jigs cost way less them the ZMan junk. I started out using the ZMan, but had trouble with the blades falling off, the skirts falling off and the blades are so thin that they bend up and the finish flakes right off. Now some people are claiming that ZMan revamped them and they're of better quality now, but IMHO they should've put out a quality product to begin with instead of junk therefore I won't buy their bladed jigs ever again

[Jon G]

Picasso 

[blckshirt98]

The first generation D&M Piranha swim jigs where the blade was attached directly to the jig head are the best ones IMO if you can find them.  Z-Man basically sued them and D&M had to change the design where now they have to add a split ring between the blade and the jighead.  I have not fished the D&M Piranha II, or the Z-Man Project Z which might be the most similar to the first generation Piranhas.

Among other brands the Picasso Shock Blades are fantastic, though those seem to work best when fished slow.  When reeled in too fast they tend to roll, but when fished slow they maintain their action and look great, better than any other.  The Rage Blades are also a solid option, fish those with confidence.  Stay away from the Original Z-Man Chatterbaits, last I checked those things have no trailer keeper and the trailer will slide down and shift and get all wonky on every cast.

[Logan S]

My favorite is the ZMan Custom which is a TW exclusive.  4/0 Mustad jig hook, a wire trailer keeper, same attachment as the Project Z, and great color choices (IMO).  It has the classic chatterbait action and can be slow-rolled or burned/waked without fouling.  The best feature is the wire keeper though, the trailer stays locked in place...Which is big deal when fishing through grass.  

[JigMaster4]

Instead of buying chatterbaits, you could just buy the blades and put them on regular jigs with a split ring, I do this because jigs usually have a stouter hook than a                  chatterbait and jigs already have weedguards.

[jignjake]

I don't know where most of you guys are from and/or where you fish regularly, are chatter baits AS effective in clear and dirty water? I live in northeast Indiana and am convinced I need to imitate THE main forage base up here, bluegill. Anybody else have success imitating gills with these baits?

 

[iabass8]

1 hour ago, jignjake said:

I don't know where most of you guys are from and/or where you fish regularly, are chatter baits AS effective in clear and dirty water? I live in northeast Indiana and am convinced I need to imitate THE main forage base up here, bluegill. Anybody else have success imitating gills with these baits?

 

Yes and Yes. I have more luck using a Green Pumpkin Variant than a white. White is still very effective at times though. 

[PennBass]

Here's a quality but lesser known bait: the TNT Claymore Jig. $5 at TW, with hand tied skirt, quality hook, and great action (especially when popped).

[gardnerjigman]

C&C big head wobblers! Duh!

[whitwolf]

Another vote for the fogy.(Siebert Outdoors) It's a fine blade bait, durable, and Is backed by great, and I mean great, customer service!

[wytstang]

Zman TW Custom are good with only one issue, the trailer keeper will tear up thin plastics. Zmans Elite are built the same but with a more traditional keeper. Both have the blade attached directly to the head (design I prefer) and both use Gammy hooks & Mustad Fastach Clips for line tie. I was not a fan of Zman chatterbaits until these changes were made, skirts still suck (they fall quick) but now I can wire tie my own skirts so it's a non issue for me.

[aprilbass101]

Zman Original & Customs with Zman DieZel Minnowz (ElaZtech) & Strike King Rage Tail Craws. It's my personnel preference but I have had very good success with these combos! Plus I'm only 2hr northwest of Ft.Wayne-Ohio/Michigan line, so we fish similar waters! Works great on the inland lakes to match the forage (Bluegill & Crappie & Shad). I'll slow roll it with 5.4:1 baitcaster most of the times but burn it during the summer! Hope that helps

[kickerfish1]

There are bluebasser86's chatterbaits and then there is everyone else's. 

[Molay1292]

Chatter-baits with a split-ring connection create a lot of blade vibration but tend to move the bait as whole less.   Direct connect blades have slightly less vibration but move the whole bait better.   The baits that tend to move the most in my opinion are the baits that have an extended wire off the nose and a direct connection.   Baits using this type of connection effectively make the bait longer and create more movement at the rear of the bait or trailer.  

Using only one type, limits your options, and there are very good baits made in all of these styles.

[Scarborough817]

the rage blade and the siebert fogy are the two i mainly use also have a lot of confidence in the zman project z 

[MarkH024]

Siebert Fogy in bluegill with Twin Menace in Blue Sapphire.  Deadly. 

Some of the most violent strikes have come from chatterbait fishing 

[fishballer06]

I have had the best experience with the newer Zman custom and Project Z baits. The fastash clip and new blade work great. I have tried other brands  that have to use the split ring to attach the blade (because of patents) and they all seem to have issues with either starting up after a cast, or rolling over mid retrieve. I don't have either of those issues with the two Zman styles that I mentioned. 

[faygo1979]

Zman Project Z  are the best that I have tried so far.  They seem to have a little better action and they don't seem to rise in the water column as fast as other baits.

[L a r r y]

I fished a chatterbait from Jan 1 2015 to Dec 31 2015 and caught fish in clear muddy milky water.  I do like the ZMan ELITE as it comes with a 5/0 Gamakatsu hook.  I normally load mine with a LFT paddle tail swimbait, and last year started added a dab of superglue when I slide it on to give it some added holding strength.  Besides the middle section getting ripped off at times, I've not had one slide off the keeper.

 

 

FISH MORE....STRESS LESS

[Dye99]

On January 9, 2016 at 0:35 PM, Logan S said:

My favorite is the ZMan Custom which is a TW exclusive.  4/0 Mustad jig hook, a wire trailer keeper, same attachment as the Project Z, and great color choices (IMO).  It has the classic chatterbait action and can be slow-rolled or burned/waked without fouling.  The best feature is the wire keeper though, the trailer stays locked in place...Which is big deal when fishing through grass.  

 Zman customs slay em...Two of the biggest fish I did last season were on the same ZMC with a bruiser trailer.

 

[Midwest Fisherman]

Zman is the only brand I've tried and I have several different styles, they all catch fish.