What is your Chatterbait Set Up? Anything I am doing wrong?

[Heartland]

Just now, Cgrinder said:

 

Yeah, sure, I dont necessarily disagree. I feel you didn't much read my initial comment beyond the first sentence. I agree, keep the pressure on. But how do you keep pressure when the fish suddenly changes direction or jumps? In these situations, sometimes a fast or extra fast rod unloads.

 

Keep in mind I'm specifically talking about true fast, higher end graphite rods with a high recovery rate. For example, the Expride the OP uses. A Loomis MBR, for example, loads deeper despite being also rated as Fast. I don't have issues with swimming jigs or chatters on an NRX MBR. However, I do have issues on an NRX JWR of the same power.

Sorry you feel that way, I did read then entire post multiple times before I replied.    I don't have much problem keeping pressure on fish when they change direction, jumping is something else, you almost always lose some pressure on the fish when they jump, just have to try to minimize the times the fish jumps.  I am using NRX, Dobyns and High end St. Croix which are probably the fast rods out of the bunch.  I feel like this may boil down to user preference and what you are used to, I personally do not prefer a lot of flex in a rod when I am setting the hook or using the rod to work baits.  I use the moderate and moderate fast rods primarily for crankbaits and some topwater.   You mentioned in your original post that slower rods are more fun to catch fish on, I can agree with that, nothing like the smooth silky way a moderate action rod eases into the backbone, I do enjoy fishing them.

[Cgrinder]

1 minute ago, Heartland said:

Sorry you feel that way, I did read then entire post multiple times before I replied.    I don't have much problem keeping pressure on fish when they change direction, jumping is something else, you almost always lose some pressure on the fish when they jump, just have to try to minimize the times the fish jumps.  I am using NRX, Dobyns and High end St. Croix which are probably the fast rods out of the bunch.  I feel like this may boil down to user preference and what you are used to, I personally do not prefer a lot of flex in a rod when I am setting the hook or using the rod to work baits.  I use the moderate and moderate fast rods primarily for crankbaits and some topwater.   You mentioned in your original post that slower rods are more fun to catch fish on, I can agree with that, nothing like the smooth silky way a moderate action rod eases into the backbone, I do enjoy fishing them.

Fair play man. Different strokes. I dont disagree with ya on the theory. Whatever gets the fish in!

[txchaser]

1) on a fast rod I think you will have better results with mono or flouro than braid. Little more forgiving because of the stretch. But you'll need a more serious hook set. 

2) if you are using braid or braid/leader, you should not have to swing for the fences. There is effectively no stretch between your lure and your rod, and only a little flex in the rod. A quick thwack will do it just fine. 

3) I prefer the daiwa "R" action for chatterbaits, and generally agree with the view that it is a better action for open single hook baits. But I also use braid/leader on a chatterbait, so the rod action matters more. I don't like the way it is mushy on mono/flouro. 

4) If your rod tip is too high or too perpendicular to the line, there's nowhere to go when they jump. Next time you get one on pay very close attention to where you are holding your rod - you may be holding it way up high or to the side too far, so you can't move the rod tip away from the fish when it jumps. 

5) Reel like mad when that fish gets near the surface. 

 

My bet would be #4 will help you the most. 

 

[A-Jay]

On 6/22/2020 at 8:43 AM, Chonch12 said:

Hello,

 

Been getting into chattterbaits more recently and doing rather well on them. Caught my PB and 2nd PB this year. Been throwing the Siebert 'Fogy' (3/8 - 1/2 oz with zako trailers). Also have 2 jackhammers from last year I got on sale.

 

Prior to getting my new baitcaster set up I was using St. Croix Triumph 6' 6" Med with 30lb Braid paired with Pflueger President XT 35x It worked well but the 1/2oz was a too much for this rod, 3/8 was fine. I wanted to use this for more finesse stuff so I switched over to my baitcaster.

 

Expride 7' 2" MH with Curado DC. This is my all purpose rod as I walk the banks 99% of the time. I recently tried 15lb Fluro seeing some great results for the most part. Was using 30-50lb braid. (have this Mono backed, to Braid, to Fluro on top (found this suggestion here in order to not waste a lot of Fluro)

 

Again I have been getting the lure crushed but having trouble keeping them from jumping off. Maybe I am inexperienced at catching fish further out? Cath most of my fish using soft plastics, closer to the bank. The biggest thing is keeping them from jumping, this is where they can spit the hook out most of the time. I lost what would have easily been a new PB (5+lb) 2 weeks ago on a jump. Very disappointing... but my own fault

 

Whey they hit I set the hook try to maintain consent pressure and reeling. Also when further out keep the rod tip low so they dont jump as much. Am I doing something wrong? Should the drag be tighter? Looser? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thank you

 These baits are so versatile and yet unique, they can be fished on just about any thing you’d like to throw it on.  Is one type “Better” than another?  Who Knows?  I use what I like and what I have confidence it – that goes for all my fishing and I’d encourage that mind set to anyone & everyone who is willing to listen. 

What one angler uses and even has success with, may not be right for another. 

So use what you like.  Here's what I like – Rod, Reel & line.

 

   I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). 

And well before I settled on the one mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side.  Only way I could expect to answer the question.

 

 In the end, they all worked OK, but I settled on the composite.

Just has the right combination of castability, sensitivity, hook setting and fish fighting ability.  So, I sold the graphite stick and ‘retired’ the glass ones. 

 

  I use the same rod (and Reel) for spinnerbaits & vibrating jigs as well as squarebills, shallow & medium diving crankbaits.  A 7’4” MH Composite Quantum KVD Crankbait rod. 

 

   I use & prefer a ‘slower’ reel.  Helps keep me from fishing the bait to ‘fast’.  Something I continue to struggle with and always need to pay attention to; especially after I get a few.  I use a Shimano Calcutta 200D round reel.  Has a 5.7:1 ratio.  I love these reels.  A pleasure to chunk & wind all day.

 

 As for line, I prefer Fluorocarbon; specifically, Seaguar InvisX or Tatsu in 15lb. 

Done. 

A-Jay

[Dumbbassanglr]

I think you should check hooks first. As you can see people land a lot of fish on chatterbaits with all different setups. I feel I’ve found the perfect balance between fast and moderate with the g loomis mbr 844 but that’s just me.

[Heartland]

19 minutes ago, Dumbbassanglr said:

I think you should check hooks first. As you can see people land a lot of fish on chatterbaits with all different setups. I feel I’ve found the perfect balance between fast and moderate with the g loomis mbr 844 but that’s just me.

The GLoomis MBR 844 was the gold standard for fishing jigs not so long ago.