Chatterbait fishing

[Doelman]

I bought a chatterbait a few months ago and it's been sitting in my tackle box ever since.  Fishing was really really slow this weekend so on a whim I threw it on, managed to get a couple fish and a chunky #4 with it on a steady retrieve.  What techniques and what kinds of conditions do you guys like to use chatterbaits?

[mllrtm79]

I use them pretty much any time that I'd be using a spinnerbait with a colorado blade (muddy water). Steady slow retrieve with intermittent rip/pause to cause erratic action. They are very good baits for finding stumps lol 

[LxVE Bassin]

I love fishing chatterbaits when it's windy and/or overcast. I like to slow roll my chatterbaits most of the time but sometimes I will jerk it and pause it. You can fish it off the bottoms too. I prefer the project z chatter bait.

[Bluebasser86]

I'll fish them about anytime once the water is over 40*. The only time I don't use them as much is really clear water. They really shine around submerged vegetation or weed edges, and stained to muddy water. I fish mine with a very slow retrieve, just fast enough to make the blade work. 

[FreddoB]

I've retrieved them slow, fast, erratic with pauses, varied retrieve rates, but always with a trailer. These chatterbaits simply produce fish. I have no favorite retrieve that I find works best but having to guess, a slower and steady. I once was burning the bait in to recast and big pickerel grabbed it...surprised the tar out of me! I've only used the Z Man Original in 3/8 oz. so far...

[fishballer06]

Fish it just like a spinnerbait or swim jig, and hold on tight!

[MickD]

Sometimes they work like a champ, and others they don't work at all.  My best use of them comes in fairly shallow water, especially in the spring when largemouths are in shallow bays, mid-April to mid May in central Michigan.  We reel them very slowly, and even let them kiss the bottom now and then with a little pause or slow-down.  Trailer and color is important.  A black really lively curly-tail grub or worm tail with a Junebug skirt is good for the above fishing.

 

They are not one of my favorite lures, but when the fish want them, I give them what they want.

[Jon G]

Chatterbaits are my favorite search bait and I use them year round like I do a jig and a Texas rig. They excel around grass but I've used them around rock and wood with success. The trick is to fish them just fast enough to get the blade to thump. There is two types of bites you get on a chatter bait; you'll either feel a large thump and it will knock slack in your line or you won't feel anything but your blade will just stop thumping.

 

If you are interested in learning how to fish a chatterbait I'd listen to this guy he knows a thing or two about them  

[craww]

For my needs, its like a rattle bait that can be fished in timber and slowed down to allow fish to have time to get it in heavier cover situations. Its one of the baits Im most accurate with, and dont hesitate to throw it in tight pockets in the  back of a laydown. Fish dont see a lot of reaction baits in that situation. Even with the exposed hook it comes through cover pretty well. 

 

Definetely agree with above regarding how the bite can often be hot and cold for some reason. Had some really epic days with them. Also tried to grind through conditions that are typical of a spinnerbait bite where the fish just wont having it.

[Deleted account]

I find myself using one more and more. I don't particularly like fishing them, but they sure catch fish, and that I do like. Retrieve varies depending on time of year/water temp, and the conditions/mood of the fish. Everything from slow rolling, to burning, and start and stop. The trailer can be tailored to size, profile, and action, so it makes for a versatile tool. Ripping it out of grass has been the ticket lately.

[NHBull]

Feast or famine, used with the onset of white water or to lazy to retie a jig

[Brett_22]

Try getting a white chatter bait with a red power worm at a trailer. I won't fish with out it. 

Ive caught a fish almost every time I use it. 

[Bluebasser86]

9 hours ago, Brett_22 said:

Try getting a white chatter bait with a red power worm at a trailer. I won't fish with out it. 

Ive caught a fish almost every time I use it. 

I like solid white with a solid chartreuse trailer. It's a great bait in clear water believe it or not.