A chatterbait worked where a Jig did not.

[Wizzlebiz]

So today I went to a lake I frequent often. I saw some locals I have seen before and they were watching me closely. One came over to me and asked why I am using a chatterbait in one area instead of a jig. 

 

Basically what I found was happening. I threw the jig and I had not even a nibble. When I threw that chatter it would get hit on the 1st crank of the reel.  Now this spot was a tight area that a jig would make alot of sense for. But it seemed the movement of the chatter was what mattered. 

 

He rigged up a punch rig next and tossed it in the same spot. He got nothin. We took turns going at this spot him with a punch rig and me with the chatter. 

 

I got 4 fish from that spot he got none. 

 

This water was fairly clear. His punch was tungsten with a craw and the chatter was green with a green with red flake trailer. 

 

Is it just my newness (beginners luck) or is there something to this?

[Hammer 4]

Beginners luck...maybe, but you in fact guessed right. WTG..Put that in your memory bank..

[Sphynx]

The alternative name for a chatterbait is a bladed swim jig...so I guess technically...lol

[Hower08]

Profile rate of fall color action of trailer all influence a fishes reaction. You clearly had the right combination for that specific spot but to really learn why pieces of the puzzle need to be eliminated untill you quit getting bit. 

 

     My guess would be profile and rate of fall were the deciding factors along with the quick movement of reeling instead of just letting the bait hit bottom

[Shimano_1]

I would guess maybe the fish were holding up off the bottom.  Where his jig or punch rig was being fished below them u were fishing the chatterbait in front of them. Or maybe the chatterbait just looked like a better meal to them. 

[Wizzlebiz]

59 minutes ago, Shimano_1 said:

I would guess maybe the fish were holding up off the bottom.  Where his jig or punch rig was being fished below them u were fishing the chatterbait in front of them. Or maybe the chatterbait just looked like a better meal to them. 

The depth couldnt have been more than 3-4 feet where we were throwing. 

[TnRiver46]

Fish are crazy! You could go there tomorrow and it could be the exact opposite 

[Derek1]

Whatever, you were right today. We’re I fish sometimes I go with a bluegill spinnerbait and a bluegill swimjig at the same time. Sometimes one shines others there equall. But I can’t decide at the truck. So Rig both at the truck. Crazy I know. I bring a bunch of stuff and try to decide when I get there. I’m walking the bank, sometimes I’m right sometimes I’m wrong. Mostly wrong. 

 

 But sometimes right. It’s weird when both works. It leaves me knowing less next time. I only have a few rods. Please let them only have one job. 

[Wizzlebiz]

1 hour ago, Derek1 said:

Whatever, you were right today. We’re I fish sometimes I go with a bluegill spinnerbait and a bluegill swimjig at the same time. Sometimes one shines others there equall. But I can’t decide at the truck. So Rig both at the truck. Crazy I know. I bring a bunch of stuff and try to decide when I get there. I’m walking the bank, sometimes I’m right sometimes I’m wrong. Mostly wrong. 

 

 But sometimes right. It’s weird when both works. It leaves me knowing less next time. I only have a few rods. Please let them only have one job. 

I cant say I own a whole of of gear and such. I consider that a good thing currently.  I just began fishing this year. I have to hike 2 miles in order to get to where I can fish for bass from the bank. I bring most everything with me that I have in a backpack. I decide what to throw once I get there. 

 

I am already finding I would benefit from either a different place to fish for bass from the bank that isnt a 2 mile hike away or less stuff. 

 

So I am really trying to understand as fast as I can what works under what conditions so I can pre plan instead of lugging around everything I own. 

[PhishLI]

7 minutes ago, Wizzlebiz said:

So I am really trying to understand as fast as I can what works under what conditions so I can pre plan instead of lugging around everything I own. 

Ha! Good luck with that. More often than not bass won't be interested today in what you caught them on yesterday, or last week, or whatever. You can count on that. If you really really really enjoy a challenge you've chosen a good hobby.

[Wizzlebiz]

13 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Ha! Good luck with that. More often than not bass won't be interested today in what you caught them on yesterday, or last week, or whatever. You can count on that. If you really really really enjoy a challenge you've chosen a good hobby.

I do love a solid challenge! 

 

And yep I have already seen what you are talking about lol. I still need to downsize. 

[Yakalong]

Chatterbaits some people love them others will say they never worked for them.

[Wizzlebiz]

1 hour ago, Yakalong said:

Chatterbaits some people love them others will say they never worked for them.

I just got back from lake berryessa and I only got 1 bite on the chatterbait.  I tried many different colors, trailers, sizes and so on. They only seemed interested today in a fluke and a senko. 

 

I still maintain chatter or spinner are my confidence baits currently lol

[Bluebasser86]

I fish bladed jigs a ton. I'll pitch them about anywhere and can't tell you how many times I've caught fish in small little lanes, holes, and spots where a jig, plastic, or other bait made more sense. Likely, because the other baits make more sense, nobody is throwing that chatterbait in there, so the fish aren't seeing it there while they're used to seeing jigs and plastics all the time. So you showed them something different and they reacted.