Do chatterbaits tend to catch big bass?

[EGbassing]

Well, I caught my first big bass in months today on a chatterbait. I realized something; I've caught two bass on chatterbaits now and they were both over  4 lbs. Was that just a coincidence or are chatterbaits just one of those lures that big fish like? Any thoughts on this?

[FCPhil]

I don’t have much experience with chatterbait personally but I have noticed a trend of people crediting them with bigger catches. Not as dramatically as something like large swimbaits but still noticeable. I’m planning to fish them more this year. 

[The Bassman]

Seems to be the case with me.  Funny, my best crappie last year also came on one.

[TOXIC]

I'm forcing myself to fish them more just because Yamamoto has a trailer made just for the "bladed jig", the Zako and it gets rave reviews.  I am still deciphering the hype between all of the jig manufacturers trying to figure out if the Jackhammer is just as good or better than the cheaper options.  To be honest, I've struggled with the bladed jigs and can't figure out why.  

[Lottabass]

A jig has always produced the biggest fish for me, but now I would have to add a bladed jig to that category as I caught just as many 5 pound plus bass on a chatterbait last year.  It seems to work best in and around weeds in a lowland type lake with dingy water.  Seems to work best during the time a rattletrap type bait works.  Last year was my first experience with it.  Good fishing to all!

[NYWayfarer]

A chatter bait is a jig with a blade. Jigs are responsible for some big fish catches, especially this time of year.

[Hawkeye21]

My PB largemouth and smallmouth have come from the chatterbait.  It catches quality and quantity.

[YoTone]

they have caught some of the bigger fish for me. ive noticed while in my hand that its a large profile bait, also depending on the trailer.  when  i put it next to a 6" magdraft the chatterbait seems be similar in size. so i think the overall size of it can trigger bigger fish into motion.

[JustJames]

My PB @7.7lbs also caught with chatterbait, but I caught a bunch of smaller one like 1-2lbs on it as well.

@TOXICI found that swim Senko is better trailer than Zako. I bought a whole box kit just for that.

[rod snapper]

man these sound like pretty good baits. i haven't yet tried them. it sounds like i should, but its just one more lure in my box that i have to learn how to use. Is it it really worth it, or can a normal jig catch the same bass?

[WRB]

My favorite swim jig is a Scrounger with sluggo trailer. I tried Karu lures chatterbait about 8 years ago before they were sued by Z-Man Chatterbait for using the patented coffin shape blade and caught bass on it. 

Tom

[roadwarrior]

My #1 producer for the past several years is the Rage Blade (white)/ Structure Bug (white).

 

 

[EGbassing]

10 hours ago, FCPhil said:

I don’t have much experience with chatterbait personally but I have noticed a trend of people crediting them with bigger catches. Not as dramatically as something like large swimbaits but still noticeable. I’m planning to fish them more this year. 

Early spring is a good time to fish them. In Colorado I guess that would be about a month from now...?

29 minutes ago, rod snapper said:

man these sound like pretty good baits. i haven't yet tried them. it sounds like i should, but its just one more lure in my box that i have to learn how to use. Is it it really worth it, or can a normal jig catch the same bass?

You don't need one, but you might as well get a dozen of them anyway. Make sure to get a few packages of trailers and some replacement skirts too. - Bait monkey

1 hour ago, Hawkeye21 said:

My PB largemouth and smallmouth have come from the chatterbait.  It catches quality and quantity.

My two biggest bass were actually both on a spinnerbait, even though I don't fish them very much. Seems like the bigger bass in the pond I fish prefer loud, moving lures for some reason. 

[rod snapper]

thanks bait monkey, always appreciate you telling me what i want to hear!

[Boomstick]

They sure can, especially with a 3.8" or 4.3" Keitech trailer which adds a ton of profile to it. I don't personally have a lot of luck with chatterbaits, but I sure know enough people who do.

[rod snapper]

well, i better drop a hundred bucks and stock up then.

[Harold Scoggins]

11 minutes ago, EGbassing said:

You don't need one, but you might as well get a dozen of them anyway. Make sure to get a few packages of trailers and some replacement skirts too. - Bait monkey

...and a few packs of flashabou to go with the skirts.

[MIbassyaker]

THe majority of my larger bass over the last several years have come on three lures: Chatterbait, Spinnerbait, and Buzzbait. All skirted moving baits.

 

Is this because these lures just "catch big bass?"

 

Or is it because I fish them more when larger bass are more likely to be active?

 

 

[Largies4Life]

Not only larger bass, but also I've noticed myself hooking into some very large northerns as well. Lost one this past summer that I would've put in the 35"-40" range. Definitely keep the chatterbait tied on!

[rod snapper]

now the real question is which colors?

[Choporoz]

4 hours ago, TOXIC said:

I'm forcing myself to fish them more just because Yamamoto has a trailer made just for the "bladed jig", the Zako and it gets rave reviews.  I am still deciphering the hype between all of the jig manufacturers trying to figure out if the Jackhammer is just as good or better than the cheaper options.  To be honest, I've struggled with the bladed jigs and can't figure out why.  

Come on up to Gunston Cove some late afternoon...outgoing tide....pick an area where there's 8-18 inches between surface and the top of the grass.  If you can keep the snakeheads off, you'll hit LMB jackpot lots of days.  I use mostly white chatterbait with white RageBug....your struggles will disappear. 

4 minutes ago, rod snapper said:

now the real question is which colors?

White...off white....or anything else, as long as it's mostly white.    Dark may work at times, but for me, its always white first.

[rod snapper]

what about in farm ponds with no shad?

[813basstard]

I’m still convinced wider baits catch bigger fish. I would consider these baits wide

[Sam]

Do Chatterbaits catch bigger fish?

 

Of course. If the bigger fish are in the area and are hungry or angry and see the Chatterbait.

 

Otherwise, you just keeping chucking them until you throw them into the trees or bushes or get hung up on some submerged wood and lose all of them.

 

You take the Bait Monkey with you and get some more.

[MIbassyaker]

I have one new jackhammer I will by trying out this year.  It needs to noticeably out-fish a Siebert Fogy for me to buy more. 

 

I also have some GYCB Zakos to try. Likewise, for me to buy more, they need to outfish the more affordable strike king Blade Minnow, which is the best chatterbait trailer I have tried.

56 minutes ago, rod snapper said:

what about in farm ponds with no shad?

Green pumpkin. 

 

But I expect you wouldn't see much of a color preference.

26 minutes ago, Sam said:

Do Chatterbaits catch bigger fish?

 

Of course. If the bigger fish are in the area and are hungry or angry and see the Chatterbait.

 

Otherwise, you just keeping chucking them until you throw them into the trees or bushes or get hung up on some submerged wood and lose all of them.

 

You take the Bait Monkey with you and get some more.

 

That's what a spinnerbait is for!