Fishing Farmer

[Darrell Willer]

I have five or six Zman chatter baits. I have been watching videos on YouTube and there are different videos saying you need to take a black marker and color the blades black, is this what I need to do?  I have been catching fish (mostly northern pike), so if I make the blades black will that help to catch Bass, or maybe more fish with the chatter baits?

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Personnel preference.

 

Painted blades, copper, nickel, gold. Whatever color helps you catch fish. Wether it's water clarity, finicky fish, etc..

 

There's no right or wrong choice, they all produce fish. It's just fine tuning so it produces more fish

 

[fin]

I guess it kind of depends on what you feel is the purpose of the blade. If you feel it is only for creating vibration, then maybe you should paint it black. If you feel it is for vibration and creating a flash that resembles bait fish, then don’t paint it black. Only the fish can tell you which is the correct choice. They may want you to put a holographic sticker on the blade.

[ww2farmer]

The blacking out of the blades is to cut down on the flash in clear water. Stuff too flashy is said to turn bass off in clear water. I have seen it work both ways. Some days they want it flashy, some days they don't. If your not getting bit on a silver or gold blade, I am of the opinion they are just not wanting a chatterbait AT ALL that day. If your getting short strikes, follows and only small fish on a flashy blade...that IMHO is the time to try a subdued blade.

 

I fish subdued blades in very clear water (more than 5 feet of visibility), and or  cold water (under 55 degrees). I will also use them if a lot of other people are using bladed jigs. The rest of the time I use a silver, gold or copper blade, and only switch if the fish are doing what I said in the previous paragraph.

[Glaucus]

If they aren't biting your chatterbait, it isn't because of the blade. 

 

Also think about spinnerbaits and how ridiculous that is. They have shiny flashy blades. Think about your hooks. They're shiny. 

[roadwarrior]

No