The Best Chatterbait Setup for $300

[Quarry Man]

Here is what I consider the best chatter bait setup for under $300:

 

Reel ($150): Shimano Chronarch Ci4+ 150 because it cast far, is lightweight, yet powerful, and is very smooth.

 

Rod ($130): St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinnerbait (7' MH Mod-Fast) because it is well balanced and has the right power and action

 

Line ($20): 17 lb Seaguar Invisx or 40 lb Sufix 832

 

I would most likelyy be throwing:

 

Z Man Original Chatterbait around cover or places where I might get snagged/break off because they are inexpensive

 

Z Man Project Z Chatterbait any time that I am fishing ope water, clear water, or places where I will not get snagged as much because of the detail and price

 

Z Man/Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer any time that I am fishing a tournament

 

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks,

Quarry Man

[CroakHunter]

Too high end for me for a moving bait, but if it works for you then hammer down. I don't throw the chatterbait much any more but use the fogy from seibert outdoors because it has quality components at entry level costs. You should look into them possibly. I do like the moderate fast action for bladed jigs and spinnerbaits. 

[Smallieseeker]

I also prefer a med fast rod for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. The set up I use is a dobyns champion 736 glass paired with a tatula ct. The reel can easily be found for 100 dollars and the rod right now is on sale at dobyns website for 170 in the mislabeled section along with the 735 glass. The rod was designed for fishing chatterbaits and has a soft tip to really let the fish load up and the back bone to set the hook. It handles baits 3/8 oz to 3/4oz really well. I have also used this set up for larger topwaters and medium diving crankbait with success. I don’t think you could go wrong with the setup in your price range. It’s a very versatile and well balanced set up.

[Bluebasser86]

You don't need anything that nice for bladed jigs. My setup is less than $200 and I fish them about as much as any other bait I fish. 

 

I haven't fished the Zman's much the last several years since I started making my own, but I think you'd be best just to split the difference and buy all Project Z baits. I've built some of my own very similar to the Jackhammer and honestly hasn't caught any noticeable amount of extra fish versus the standard baits. Even better would be to buy the Fogy's from Siebert. Get all kinds of color options with a good hook with a wire tied skirt for less money, hard to go wrong there. 

[Deleted account]

7 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

What do you guys think?

 

Thanks,

Quarry Man

I think chatter baits don't require much of a rod or reel.

 

I think that if one tournament fishes with a particular lure, it makes sense to practice with the same one.

 

I think bass guys over think fishing.

 

I think in the big picture, none of that makes a difference.

[r83srock]

25 minutes ago, reason said:

I think chatter baits don't require much of a rod or reel.

 

I think that if one tournament fishes with a particular lure, it makes sense to practice with the same one.

 

I think bass guys over think fishing.

 

I think in the big picture, none of that makes a difference.

Lol, agree. I throw a chatter bait on the same rod I throw a swim jig on, which is whatever might be lying in the rod box without a lure on it. Op, that’s a good combo though, for about anything. A st. Croix moderate fast has enough nuts behind it for bottom contact even. Just send it. 

[kschultz76]

Everyone above is probably right you don’t need an expensive or high end rod for chatterbaits, or for a lot of bass fishing. There are just a ton of amazing options for rods today in the $100 bracket. 

 

But it if you like higher end rods and enjoy collecting them then there’s nothing wrong with getting what you like, it’s your money. Another great rod that is close to your price range is the Megabass Orochi XX Diablo Spec R, on clearance at The Tackle Trap for $189 right now, Spinnerbait Special would also work but it’s a little shorter. I only bring them up because they’re killer deals right now and they won’t be available much longer. I know they push your budget just a bit. Both of those rods are super versatile sticks. I throw all my swim jigs on the Diablo. 

 

But that St Croix should do a great job. I have 3 of the Chronarch CI4 + reels, good reels no doubt. But at the $150 mark in today’s market even for chuck and wind baits I’d suggest the Tatula SV TW, mine is a fantastic caster, feels great.  And it has just a touch more line capacity and will give you a leg up for any skipping under trees, docks, etc and well controlled casting in tight. 

 

Good luck and and let us know how it turns out. 

[JustJames]

If you have already had the setup you mentioned, go ahead and use it. It won't hurt a d**n thing to use a nice set up.

BUT if you are going to buy new then these guys already gave you best comments. I don't use super cheap but sensitive enough rod to feel the bump when fishing around grass.

For the lure itself, I use all the mention above without the jack hammer(too expensive for my blood) the original is okay since you can grab it anywhere(walmart) I bought 3 pack pro kit (14 bucks) when I started, come with 3 chatterbaits plus a few turbo craw and  few  diezel . I also like elite/custom series a little bit expensive but still available anywhere. The projectZ is nice and to me I can fish abit faster. If you are going to stock up now, siebert Fogy is the best way to go, 24/7, green pumpkin, black/blue and white are my color choice.

[Quarry Man]

7 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

You don't need anything that nice for bladed jigs. My setup is less than $200 and I fish them about as much as any other bait I fish. 

 

I haven't fished the Zman's much the last several years since I started making my own, but I think you'd be best just to split the difference and buy all Project Z baits. I've built some of my own very similar to the Jackhammer and honestly hasn't caught any noticeable amount of extra fish versus the standard baits. Even better would be to buy the Fogy's from Siebert. Get all kinds of color options with a good hook with a wire tied skirt for less money, hard to go wrong there. 

I have looked into making my own before, would you mind explaining how you make yours? Also, thanks for the advice.

Thanks for all the help guys! This past year, I had top finishes in all of my tournaments due to spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, I also learned how to fish them nonstop for 4 straight days, nearly depleting my stock on a trip to Vermont fishing for bass and pike. I have realized that these two baits might need some attention from myself. Also, I think the jack hammer is very expensive, id only get one or two for tournaments.

 

Thanks again,

Quarry Man

[MIbassyaker]

4 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

I have looked into making my own before, would you mind explaining how you make yours? Also, thanks for the advice.

Thanks for all the help guys! This past year, I had top finishes in all of my tournaments due to spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, I also learned how to fish them nonstop for 4 straight days, nearly depleting my stock on a trip to Vermont fishing for bass and pike. I have realized that these two baits might need some attention from myself. Also, I think the jack hammer is very expensive, id only get one or two for tournaments.

 

Thanks again,

Quarry Man

Here is an easy way with components from a place like Barlows tackle or FishingSkirts

--a flat eye jig head

--split ring

--blade

--snap

--skirt

 

 

 

 

[jmcarriere]

On 12/3/2017 at 4:43 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

You don't need anything that nice for bladed jigs. My setup is less than $200 and I fish them about as much as any other bait I fish. 

 

I haven't fished the Zman's much the last several years since I started making my own, but I think you'd be best just to split the difference and buy all Project Z baits. I've built some of my own very similar to the Jackhammer and honestly hasn't caught any noticeable amount of extra fish versus the standard baits. Even better would be to buy the Fogy's from Siebert. Get all kinds of color options with a good hook with a wire tied skirt for less money, hard to go wrong there. 

What rod do you use for bladed jigs

[WRB]

Chatterbait is a jig so use any combo you would for jig/worms in the same weight. If you are using a chatterbait you should also be using a Scrounger jig IMO.

Tom

[Montanaro]

I categorize chatterbait as a single hook moving bait.

 

That means it goes on a rod with a slower action.  Not only do I hook more fish deep in mouth but if you play arou d in clear water you will see your bait hesitate when banged into cover and then shoot off which has caught me several nice bass.

 

I have used an xfast rod in past that resulted in lip hooked fish that often shook off or missed fish conpletely.  The action also caused lure to barrel right through grass and bushes like they werent there.

 

A HIGH end rod is not necessary but a lightweight rod is important to me.  Ripping and slinging chatterbaits can wear you out and having a rod that doesnt wear you out is critical in maintaining positive concentration

[Bluebasser86]

5 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

What rod do you use for bladed jigs

A 6' 9" H/F Hammer micro guide rod.

[Quarry Man]

never looked at that but it looks real good, only thing is i have two 6'6" mh fasts and i want casting distance will look into that rod though

[jmcarriere]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

A 6' 9" H/F Hammer micro guide rod.

So im guessing a 7'4 phenix m1 is a little overkill for using bladed jigs swim jigs and spinnerbaits

[Bluebasser86]

5 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

So im guessing a 7'4 phenix m1 is a little overkill for using bladed jigs swim jigs and spinnerbaits

I've never held one but lots of guys like a longer rod for making long cast and covering water. I can cast as far as I need to and can also make accurate short cast with mine so it's the best of both worlds for me. As long as it has the right amount of action and power it will be fine.

[jmcarriere]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I've never held one but lots of guys like a longer rod for making long cast and covering water. I can cast as far as I need to and can also make accurate short cast with mine so it's the best of both worlds for me. As long as it has the right amount of action and power it will be fine.

And what kind of action is best for bladed jigs you hear people say fast but you also get those who say a more moderate

[YoTone]

just want to add ive heard brett hite saying a mh glass rod is his  choice for a chatterbait.

ive never tried it on that type of rod before so i dont know how good it works.

[Bluebasser86]

6 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

And what kind of action is best for bladed jigs you hear people say fast but you also get those who say a more moderate

I like something with a more moderate-fast action and a stout backbone. A lot of bladed jigs have a big jig hook that takes some power to drive, especially on big fish. 

[Quarry Man]

7 hours ago, jmcarriere said:

And what kind of action is best for bladed jigs you hear people say fast but you also get those who say a more moderate

mod fast for me

[Bluebasser86]

On 12/3/2017 at 10:29 AM, Quarry Man said:

I have looked into making my own before, would you mind explaining how you make yours? 

On 12/3/2017 at 2:57 PM, MIbassyaker said:

Here is an easy way with components from a place like Barlows tackle or FishingSkirts

--a flat eye jig head

--split ring

--blade

--snap

--skirt

 

 

 

 

 

This is basically how I make mine, but with a swim pro head. The one I make that is similar to the Jackhammer is made with a heavily modified Poison head mold, a spinnerbait hook, part of a swinging poison head wire form, and a coffin blade. 

[evilcatfish]

On 12/5/2017 at 1:08 AM, BaitFinesse said:

A sale priced Orochi xx Diablo Spec R with a $100 reel on it would be the best $300 chatterbait combo I can think of.  

I use this rod with a Tatula CT and it's been just about perfect for chatterbaits. In addition the the sale on Orochi rods, you can get a CT dirt cheap right now and stay well under $300 

[MIbassyaker]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

This is basically how I make mine, but with a swim pro head. The one I make that is similar to the Jackhammer is made with a heavily modified Poison head mold, a spinnerbait hook, part of a swinging poison head wire form, and a coffin blade from aliexpress. 

That sounds awesome...I have to say, every time I find myself wondering if I need to get a couple Jackhammers, I just think about how many Siebert Fogys I could get for the same price...

[Bluebasser86]

On 12/3/2017 at 12:29 PM, Quarry Man said:

I have looked into making my own before, would you mind explaining how you make yours? 

33 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

That sounds awesome...I have to say, every time I find myself wondering if I need to get a couple Jackhammers, I just think about how many Siebert Fogys I could get for the same price...

 

This is my version of the Jackhammer style bladed jig. Not sure it's much different from a Project Z or similar, but it works and it's way cheaper for me to make than it is to buy them.