Chatterbait vs. Spinnerbait

[Levi O'Steen]

The chatter bait and spinner bait are both very similar baits. Both can be used in almost every scenario that the other can be used for, so they are almost interchangeable.  That being said, which is better and why? What's the real difference?

[WRB]

Spinner baits create lots of flash and displace a lot of water and large profile to attract bass. Represents several baitfish.

Chatter bait creates a different sound with less flash and smaller profile to attract bass. Represents a single baitfish.

Spinnerbait for very active feeding bass, best with light wind creating some ripple or waves.

Chatter bait for active bass, best where a crankbait can't be effectively used or a swim jig is getting followers without striking.

Tom

 

[gardnerjigman]

I don't think they are interchangeable at all to be honest. I would probably compare a chatterbait more closely to a squarebill before I would a spinner bait. @Bluebasser86, thoughts?

[CroakHunter]

I've thrown chatterbait and spinnerbaits side by side and a lot of times when one isn't getting bites the other is. If neither is getting bit then a swim jig is what I'll switch to. Spinnerbait is better around wood and better in deep water for me. 

[A-Jay]

Deciding if these two baits are interchangeable may be determined by how & where you fish them.  

In my own fishing, I love burning a spinnerbait at or just under the surface - something I'd not have much confidence in with a vibrating jig.

Conversely, choosing between the two for presentations low & slow early season, I'm routinely reaching for the vibrating jig, just gets more bites for me.  

A-Jay

 

[bowhunter63]

I can fish A Spinnerbait better at different depths and cover,I use a spinnerbait way more.Probably a confidence thing.

[Bucky205]

A spinnerbait will go through places a chatterbait will hang.  Chatterbait does not have as much versatility on depth,  you slow it down enough to go deep and your changeing the action.  You can retrieve a Colorado blade spinnerbait at 1 to 50’ with close to the the same action.  I think chatterbaits offer advantages when you’re trying to keep your bait shallow and slower.  You can keep a willowleaf spinnerbait really shallow, but it is really moving and going to have a lot of flash. Sometimes you just don’t want as much water displacement as a shallow colorado blade would create. Chatterbait definitely has it's own specific uses.

[Bluebasser86]

I prefer the bladed jig over the spinnerbait most anytime when either could be used. They seem to produce the bigger bite for me. Most of my spinnerbait fishing is reserved to clear water, or snaggy areas. Bladed jigs have basically replaced squarebills for me. I have seen times when one will outshine the other by a wide margin for reasons only the fish know. 

[LxVE Bassin]

I am a chatterbait guy. I mainly fish shallow water whether it's from the bank or on a boat. They produce for me. 

[Choporoz]

20 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Deciding if these two baits are interchangeable may be determined by how & where you fish them.  

In my own fishing, I love burning a spinnerbait at or just under the surface - something I'd not have much confidence in with a vibrating jig.

 

Funny....I agree....but don't...lol.  In most situations, I agree.....but, on the tidal Potomac when there's 8-18" of water between the surface and the grass tops....well...a vibrating jig is as good as it gets

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, Choporoz said:

Funny....I agree....but don't...lol.  In most situations, I agree.....but, on the tidal Potomac when there's 8-18" of water between the surface and the grass tops....well...a vibrating jig is as good as it gets

So you made my point for me then . . . .

A-Jay

[Choporoz]

didn't need to....you made it just fine...just agreeing...man, this bass stuff...ain't never any black and white...soooo much gray....at least we can all be right ....about anything, if it catches fish

[gim]

Correct me if I'm wrong, the spinnerbait has been around for a long time (or at least some version of it) whereas a chatterbait is a relative newcomer to the lure market.

[Russ E]

I tend to use the Chatterbait much more than Spinnerbaits lately.  i agree with Bluebasser86. Chatterbaits seem to get bigger bites in the lakes I fish. The one area I use Spinnerbaits more is around wood. Chatterbaits are definitely not snag resistant.

[BaitMonkey1984]

I want chatter baits to do well. I do. I throw them over and over and over with limited results. I used to love throwing spinner baits and did really well, still do. The problem is that I can't get over the perception/noise that the chatter bait is a much better choice. So I tend not to throw it, then when I do, in all white or bluegill pattern I usually do pretty good. But still, I just want the chatter baits to do what everyone hypes them up to do.