Chatterbait Reel Recommendations

[Corey T]

I’m looking to upgrade my Chatterbait rod and reel combo and am after some advice. I started with the BPS Carbonlite 2.0 pairing and then went to the Lews Mach Crush. I definitely liked the feel of the Carbonlite set up better but both were fine. I’m now deep down the rabbit hole of bass fishing and am ready to upgrade if it is worth it. A few thoughts to consider:

 

Chatterbait is where I am most at home and confident. This will need to hold up to a lot of use. This also means that I am willing pretty much any reel, regardless of price, if it is worth it. 
 

I typically throw 3/8. 

 

I usually fish out out of the back of the boat. This sometimes limits my casting distance and casting angles. 
 

I prefer to run straight braid. I usually use 30lb Sufix 832. 
 

the ability to skip is important to me. I haven’t had any troubles with this in either set up before but worth noting. 

I haven’t thought rod yet but would be open to suggestions there too. Thanks for the time, all. 

 

[swhit140]

I use one rod for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits, 7' Med/Hvy. I usually use 6:3:1 or 7:3:1. I have 5 Daiwa Fuego CT reels in my lineup that I've been happy with, but you have many choices out there.

[Bluebasser86]

I use a Tatula 150 for mine, but since you're using braid and skipping is important, you might want to look at a Tatula SV.

[ChrisD46]

6 hours ago, swhit140 said:

I use one rod for spinnerbaits/chatterbaits, 7' Med/Hvy. I usually use 6:3:1 or 7:3:1. I have 5 Daiwa Fuego CT reels in my lineup that I've been happy with, but you have many choices out there.

+1 on this advice for the Daiwa Fuego CT reels - you can pay more for a reel but not get better quality and performance than the Fuego CT ! ... If you buy one - you will want more . Of course if you like Lews - then you could consider a higher priced model from Lew's or if you only want one reel then perhaps there is a higher priced Shimano that fits your situation .

[Corey T]

I’ve read a lot of good things about Fuego CT. I’m also wondering about the new Tatula SV TW or the Alphas SV. I sometimes have pretty tight casting angles with the powerpoles and the consoles for skipping. I’m thinking that SV spool might help a little there but I’m not super concerned about it as Chatterbait are typically the easiest thing for me to skip. 
 

I’m not committed to Daiwa but am starting to lean that way as I just purchased a Steez CT SV for another application. The familiarity is kind of nice.

[Jermination]

I throw mine on daiwa tatula ct 100hsl -- great reel for skipping and rarely if ever backlashes. The 13 concept z also isnt a bad choice, not sure if they're still 100 bucks on amazon but it gets it done as well

[new2BC4bass]

Bantam MGL?  I've got one on the way.  Check ebay daily.  Got mine for a bit over $100 off regular price.

 

Pflueger Patriarch (or older Patriarch XT), Lew's Tournament MP, Tournament Pro LFS or other higher priced ones.  Okuma Helios TCS or SX or add the Tatula 100 and 150 to your list.  Quite a few good reels that should work fine for what you are looking to do.

 

A reel with an SV spool or a DC reel would be a big help to me for skipping, but shouldn't matter to you.

[Boomstick]

13 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I use a Tatula 150 for mine, but since you're using braid and skipping is important, you might want to look at a Tatula SV.

I will second this. The Tatula SV skips really well, just turn up the brake and keep the tension spool at the point where you normally run it. You can skip on other reels as well, but I don't have any that skip as well as the Tatula SV. The Pflueger Patriarch certainly isn't too bad either.

[ResoKP]

3 hours ago, Midwest Big Bass said:

I’ve read a lot of good things about Fuego CT. I’m also wondering about the new Tatula SV TW or the Alphas SV. I sometimes have pretty tight casting angles with the powerpoles and the consoles for skipping. I’m thinking that SV spool might help a little there but I’m not super concerned about it as Chatterbait are typically the easiest thing for me to skip. 
 

I’m not committed to Daiwa but am starting to lean that way as I just purchased a Steez CT SV for another application. The familiarity is kind of nice.

Dude just being honest, if you're rocking a Steez CT SV, stay away from the older CT platforms like the Fuego CT, Tatula CT, 17 Tatula SV. They're bulky, heavy, clunky and you won't enjoy using it. Although it performs wonderfully, I actually hate my Tatula SV. If you're good at skipping, you don't need SV. Try the newer 100 platforms like the tatula 100/150, elites or the new 20 Tatula SV.

[swhit140]

4 hours ago, Midwest Big Bass said:

I’ve read a lot of good things about Fuego CT. I’m also wondering about the new Tatula SV TW or the Alphas SV. I sometimes have pretty tight casting angles with the powerpoles and the consoles for skipping. I’m thinking that SV spool might help a little there but I’m not super concerned about it as Chatterbait are typically the easiest thing for me to skip. 
 

I’m not committed to Daiwa but am starting to lean that way as I just purchased a Steez CT SV for another application. The familiarity is kind of nice.

Man if you have a Steez why would go to a lower model reel? I'm not saying a Fuego Ct is a bad reel but if have the money to spend on higher quality reels then why wouldn't you?

[new2BC4bass]

15 minutes ago, swhit140 said:

Man if you have a Steez why would go to a lower model reel? I'm not saying a Fuego Ct is a bad reel but if have the money to spend on higher quality reels then why wouldn't you?

I'm with you......but there are a few (very few) on here that like to fish with $50 rods and $60 reels and whip our butts.    To each his own.

[Jermination]

1 minute ago, new2BC4bass said:

I'm with you......but there are a few (very few) on here that like to fish with $50 rods and $60 reels and whip our butts.    To each his own.

i can not fathom paying 600 bucks for a reel. hell i had slight buyers remorse paying 175 for a concept C lol

[new2BC4bass]

1 minute ago, Jermination said:

i can not fathom paying 600 bucks for a reel. hell i had slight buyers remorse paying 175 for a concept C lol

Yeah.  Took me a long time to work up to $140 which is one reason I own a lot of used reels. 

[browne762]

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Bantam MGL

This is also what I would use.

[Corey T]

1 hour ago, Boomstick said:

I will second this. The Tatula SV skips really well, just turn up the brake and keep the tension spool at the point where you normally run it. You can skip on other reels as well, but I don't have any that skip as well as the Tatula SV. The Pflueger Patriarch certainly isn't too bad either.

I’m throwing around the idea of the 20 Tatula SV on a Tatula Elite... still not there yet but it is in the running. 
 

58 minutes ago, ResoKP said:

Dude just being honest, if you're rocking a Steez CT SV, stay away from the older CT platforms like the Fuego CT, Tatula CT, 17 Tatula SV. They're bulky, heavy, clunky and you won't enjoy using it. Although it performs wonderfully, I actually hate my Tatula SV. If you're good at skipping, you don't need SV. Try the newer 100 platforms like the tatula 100/150, elites or the new 20 Tatula SV.

 

This is good perspective that I had not thought of. I haven’t even cast into the water yet with my Steez so I’m not really sure what to expect. I love the feel of that reel though. I’m sure it is going to be hard to cast that and then switch over to something else. 
 

32 minutes ago, swhit140 said:

Man if you have a Steez why would go to a lower model reel? I'm not saying a Fuego Ct is a bad reel but if have the money to spend on higher quality reels then why wouldn't you?

Ha you guys are killing me. The Steez was probably more than I should have spent but it is for a very specific application that is important for the areas that I fish. Again, I am in the back of the boat and have some limitations as a result. My partner is always having to navigate trees, brush, etc up on the trolling motor so I have periods of time where I am close to overhanging trees or other cover and don’t really have any casting angles. The Steez is helping me skip a wacky worm under all of that when I wouldn’t have any other options. 
 

[swhit140]

18 minutes ago, Jermination said:

i can not fathom paying 600 bucks for a reel. hell i had slight buyers remorse paying 175 for a concept C lol

I'm with you, my most expensive reel I have is $125.00. I don't think I would ever spend more than $200.00 on a reel or rod. I like quality equipment but that's out of my reasonable budget.

[Jermination]

4 minutes ago, Midwest Big Bass said:

Ha you guys are killing me. The Steez was probably more than I should have spent but it is for a very specific application that is important for the areas that I fish. Again, I am in the back of the boat and have some limitations as a result. My partner is always having to navigate trees, brush, etc up on the trolling motor so I have periods of time where I am close to overhanging trees or other cover and don’t really have any casting angles. The Steez is helping me skip a wacky worm under all of that when I wouldn’t have any other options. 
 

whoa! why not just get a spinning reel to skip a senko? im so confused!

[Corey T]

3 minutes ago, Jermination said:

whoa! why not just get a spinning reel to skip a senko? im so confused!

Quite honestly, I can’t cast a spinning set up as accurately as I would like to save my life. I realize how odd that probably sounds to all of you but it is what it is. 

[Jermination]

1 minute ago, Midwest Big Bass said:

Quite honestly, I can’t cast a spinning set up as accurately as I would like to save my life. I realize how odd that probably sounds to all of you but it is what it is. 

understood. if you want to pay me half of what the steez cost you for an 8 hour teaching session i'll be more than happy to  

[FryDog62]

Skipping a weightless wacky worm on a baitcaster has its place.  But it takes much better than average equipment to get accuracy, distance and to avoid overrun.  I think the OP has some great equipment and the right approach...

[Hammer 4]

Bait specific reel..??????????????  I don't get it, maybe I'm to old school.? Or am I missing something here.  

[Corey T]

21 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Bait specific reel..??????????????  I don't get it, maybe I'm to old school.? Or am I missing something here.  

I get what you are saying. The Steez was absolutely relevant IMO given circumstances. In this instance I am saying that I need a reel that is durable, has a good retrieve ratio for a bladed jig, will give me good casting distance, isn’t too heavy since I will be using it for a significant amount of my time on the water and so on. I ask questions because there are a lot of intelligent and experienced anglers on here that can help me think of things I am missing. 
 

Put another way... would anyone use a Steez for punching? I’m guessing the answer is no. So, in sone sense at least, the OP seems like a reasonable question. 
 

 

[Hammer 4]

I've fished chatterbaits on every thing from a 2500 spinning reel to my old 301E Curado. There are ree;s better suited to some baits, i.e. big swimbaits for example, where you need line capacity, ect. and finesse reels for very light baits, however a chatter bait is a " normal weight" type bait.

I think sometimes folks get to bait specific when thinking about fishing gear. I'll likely take some heat for that statement.. lol

[Zibass]

Get the tatula elite for the chatterbait.  I have 5 steez sv tw and a morethan. But in love with the tatula elite and bought another.

[Corey T]

2 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

I've fished chatterbaits on every thing from a 2500 spinning reel to my old 301E Curado. There are ree;s better suited to some baits, i.e. big swimbaits for example, where you need line capacity, ect. and finesse reels for very light baits, however a chatter bait is a " normal weight" type bait.

I think sometimes folks get to bait specific when thinking about fishing gear. I'll likely take some heat for that statement.. lol

It’s kind of like politics.  No one is ever going to agree but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable to state your perspective. I appreciate you taking a minute to say that. It helps me take a step back and wonder if I am overthinking.