Graphite Chatterbait Rod

[FryDog62]

I know most people like composite/glass bladed jig rods, but I actually prefer the sensitivity of graphite.  I have a harder time feeling the weeds, cover, bottom as well with glass.   But I get it that graphite needs to have the right parabolic action to work well.  What graphite rods do people prefer for this in the $150-250 range? 

[jbrew73]

The falcon expert 7’ heavy is an excellent vibrating jig rod and is very sensitive.  Falcon has it on their site as mod action and  TW has it shown as fast.   I’d rate it somewhere in the mod fast area.

[A-Jay]

While I do prefer composite here, I have a St Croix LTB Sweeper Spinnerbait stick

that I use to snap lippless baits out of the grass. 

It's MH Moderate Fast graphite blank and if I had to,

I could use it for a vibrating jig . . .

It's the LBC70MHMF

A-Jay

 

 

[mrpao]

I use a 7'2 shimano mh exage and a 7'2" mh expride.

Both rods are light and sensitive enough to distinguish the bottom.

I prefer a more stiffer fast action because I mainly fish woody areas.

 

[Bluebasser86]

I use a Hammer rod micro 6' 9" H/F for my bladed jigs. I've tried a bunch of different ones, and this rod is hands down the best one I've used for them. The heavy rating made me nervous at first, but by the recommendations of @smalljaw67 I gave it a shot and really glad I did. It's not a pool cue like I was afraid it would be. It has a nice tip, good backbone to drive the heavy hook into thick jaws, but soft enough to not rip hooks out.

You can really see in this video how the tip loads just enough and really telegraphs the vibration, hammers the hook home, but has a nice even bend that keeps them stuck.

 

[Junger]

I'm using the 7'2 MH/R Zillion G2, it has enough tip to rip the bladed jig through grass when needed.

[Fishes in trees]

I wouldn't be in the composite rod club.  I like a graphite rod, mostly because it will be a little lighter and that's something that is important to me.   I've tried numerous lengths/ weights/ actions over the years.  Currently my favorite chatter bait rod is an older 7' Diawa LT. (light & tough).   It is rated as a MH  worming/jigging rod, but in my opinion it has way too much flex in the tip to be a great worm/jig rod.   BUT the flex in the tip is just what I need when it comes to throwing  chatter bait rods.

[Choporoz]

I tried six or eight rods before settling on a 7' MHF Aetos.  There's times I wish it was a couple inches longer, like when covering vast shallow grass flats, but otherwise it is perfect.  Weight and feel are key.  I spend hours on end throwing chatterbaits and I wouldn't want a heavier rod.  I have considered composite (Kistler FNR) but was always able to keep the monkey at bay.  I just don't have any problem that a different rod might solve.  I also use braid exclusively and hooking and keeping them hooked hasn't been a problem for me.

[webertime]

I switch between the Phenix Recon 804 (8' up to 1oz) and a custom build NFC 807 (8' 3/8oz - 1 1/2oz).  Both are great "sub-fast" tapers, the extra length def helps with the hookset, especially when they eat/push it from behind, taking up slack on the swing.  The beauty of these 2 is that I can use them for a lot of techniques, more than a composite rod could do (awesome Carolina rig rods).

[FryDog62]

8 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a Hammer rod micro 6' 9" H/F for my bladed jigs. I've tried a bunch of different ones, and this rod is hands down the best one I've used for them. The heavy rating made me nervous at first, but by the recommendations of @smalljaw67 I gave it a shot and really glad I did. It's not a pool cue like I was afraid it would be. It has a nice tip, good backbone to drive the heavy hook into thick jaws, but soft enough to not rip hooks out.

You can really see in this video how the tip loads just enough and really telegraphs the vibration, hammers the hook home, but has a nice even bend that keeps them stuck.

 

It does load nice, and I agree a bit counter-intuitive that a 6-9 Heavy would have enough forgiveness in the tip.  Are you using a higher stretch line?  That could make some of the difference too --

[FryDog62]

7 hours ago, Junger said:

I'm using the 7'2 MH/R Zillion G2, it has enough tip to rip the bladed jig through grass when needed.

Looks like an interesting rod too, has it been discontinued though?  

[FryDog62]

Curious if anyone has used this rod - graphite, regular taper for chatterbaits:

 

Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod 7'2" Med Hvy Howell
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Regular	12-25lb	1/4-1 3/8oz	8+Tip	Elite Cast F	14-3/4"	In Stock: 3	$179.99

 

Or this iRod:

Genesis II Casting Rod 7'2 Stone Cold Swim/Vibrating  723c - Stone Cold Swim Jig & Vibrating Jig Rod Hide Information
Taper	Line Wt.	Lure Wt.	Guides	Handle Type	Handle Length	Stock	Price	Qty
Moderate Fast	10-20lb	3/8-1oz	9+Tip	Genesis II Cast A	***/2"	In Stock: 5+	$149.99

 

[Junger]

45 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Looks like an interesting rod too, has it been discontinued though?  

Yes but the one you linked below should be similar, but I don’t have that particular model. I like the TAEL reel seat over the Zillion as well.

[J Francho]

I wouldn't fish anything with a hook that big with anything less than a fast taper, and more like an X-fast for me.  Power would be up to the weight of the bait, M or MH usually.  I like 6-8 to 6-10 for chatters.  Graphite.  Always.

[FryDog62]

20 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I wouldn't fish anything with a hook that big with anything less than a fast taper, and more like an X-fast for me.  Power would be up to the weight of the bait, M or MH usually.  I like 6-8 to 6-10 for chatters.  Graphite.  Always.

Interesting points, how well does an XF keep the fish pinned as they get near the boat?  What line do you use?  Thx

[bwjay]

My 6'8LMHF and 6'9MHXF Helium3s have just enough bend for chatterbaits IMO. Plenty of sensitivity, super easy to tell when the lure is fouled up or when you're hitting things. If you can find one used, they're a great option, Fry!

[NathanDLTH]

I’ll run it a couple different ways, but both with straight flourocarbon. 7’3MH/F Brent Ehrler https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_2091_2418&products_id=10715  or Megabass Orochi XX Tour Versatile7’H/ModFast, either 16 or 20lb flouro. 

[FryDog62]

3 minutes ago, NathanDLTH said:

I’ll run it a couple different ways, but both with straight flourocarbon. 7’3MH/F Brent Ehrler https://tackletrap.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78_2091_2418&products_id=10715  or Megabass Orochi XX Tour Versatile7’H/ModFast, either 16 or 20lb flouro. 

I saw the 7-3 Tatula Ehrler rod too, looks very similar to the 7-2 Tatula Howell referenced above - primary difference is the taper.  Thx

[Junger]

49 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

I saw the 7-3 Tatula Ehrler rod too, looks very similar to the 7-2 Tatula Howell referenced above - primary difference is the taper.  Thx

I have the 7'3 Zillion MH/F G2 too, and I prefer the 7'2 MH/R for chatterbaits. I lost more LMB on the 7'3 when they headshook or jumped. Braid on both rods.

[OnthePotomac]

Mine go on a 6'6" MH, Fast Tip Galyans Titanium 1/4-1 1/4, 10-25lbs (Dicks bought them years ago)with 20lb Invizx (.016) on a Curado 200E7.

[Tizi]

I am interested in the responses too.  I’m debating the 7’4” Heavy Tatula glass chatterbait/spinnerbait rod.

 

I currently own a Tatula XT 7’ MH glass that I use for 3/8 and 1/2 once baits.  It’s fine for those, probably need to beat that monkey back!

[FryDog62]

Monkey’s callin’ ....

[J Francho]

2 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Interesting points, how well does an XF keep the fish pinned as they get near the boat?  What line do you use?  Thx

The same as an XF keeps a fish pinned with any other lure, be it jig, T-rig, topwater, jerkbait, spinnerbait, or other.  For Chatterbaits, I use 12-15# Tatsu or Invisx.

[scbassin]

It depends on where I am fishing.  If I am in tight spaces like up in the Cypress trees where I roll cast I use a Dobyns Sierra SA 683C F/H or a SA 684C F/H depending how much & type of other cover I have to contend with. If I am out on the stump fields or grass flats I use a Dobyns Champion XP DC 733C F/H or the DC 734 C  F/H depending on how heavy the cover is. When it gets real heavy I switch baits & rods.

[GReb]

I’ve been using a Dobyns 734 for chatterbaits. Can’t remember the last time I lost a fish on that rod.