Chatterbait rod question

[clemsondds]

Quick question. What makes a good chatterbait rod and what other baits do you use it for? 
Thanks! 

[Dens228]

MH/Fast.........which is generally the best all around do everything.  
I use it that type for swim jigs, t-rigs, spinnerbaits, deep crank baits, Whopper Ploppers, etc. 

[rtwvumtneer6]

When I first started throwing bladed jigs I was using a rod that was too stiff.  You'll want some backbone, but also a parabolic bend to let the fish get the bait.  Found a lot more success when I continue to reel and let the rod load and then sweep into them to set the hook. 

 

I'll go as low as a M/F in open water.  MH/MF would also be a good choice IMO. A lot of guys throw a composite cranking rod, also.    

 

[Russ E]

I started out with my mh/fast spinnerbait rod. To me it did not have enough flex in the tip for a chatterbait.

I ended up using my Dobyns fury 705cb. I originally bought it for crankbaits, but thought is was a little to heavy for the baits I was using.

It works great for chatterbaits. Enough backbone to set the big hooks, but enough flex to keep a fish pinned

[swhit140]

Dobyns Champion XP DC 736CB GLASS, good for Chatterbaits, Spinnerbaits, Large Crankbaits. Don't know what you're looking to spend though, I just threw it out there for a popular Chatterbait rod.

[PhishLI]

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

What makes a good chatterbait rod

Budget?

[jbsoonerfan]

Shimano Expride 7'2 MH Glass Moderate action. I throw them with 40# braid. This combo seems to work well with the way I fish.

[Deleted account]

I fish chatters with 15 or 20 lb BG. For 1/4 and 3/8, I go with a MH Fast leaning towards Medium and Moderate. For Heavier ones I like a MH Moderate leaning towards Heavy. In either case, I don't want quick recovery, high modulus blanks, YMMVBIW.

[Eric 26]

Last years bps cranking stick 7’-3” hvy power fast action. First composite rod and I couldn’t be happier using it. 

[Deleted account]

27 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Budget?

I blame Nassau county's School system...

[GetFishorDieTryin]

2 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Quick question. What makes a good chatterbait rod and what other baits do you use it for? 
Thanks! 

It depends on how your fishing the chatterbait and your personal preference of action, length and power.  I like a faster action if im fishing it like a jig on the bottom, the tip is more sensitive then slower action rods so i can feel subtle bites a little better. 

For yo yo or stop and go retrieves I like a 7'2-7'6 MH ModF.  A fish doesnt feel as much resistance with a slower tip so it can give a little more time to se the hook before the fish tries to spit it.  Once the fish is hooked the softer tip keeps consistent pressure on the fish because its recovery is slower.  A ModF loads well, which gives you good casting distance when it unloads on the release. 

Glass rods are good for chatterbaits and cranks, but other then that they arent as versatile as graphite or composite rods.  Glass is also noticeably heavier then graphite rods, so if you cant balance the rod with the right reel they are all that fun to fish IMO.

Graphite/glass composite rods a give you the benefits of both materials.  You get a good amount of tip to keep a fish pinned like a glass rod and the graphite mixed in makes the rod more sensitive and much lighter.

Obviously if you get a MH F you can use that rod for a bunch of different baits.  I read about people having horrible hookup ratios with chatterbaits like 3 or 4 fish landed of 10, and they blame it on the MH F rod.  I was surprised when I read that because I started throwing chatterbaits with a MH F and I didn't lose many fish at, with my average being 7-8 of 10 fish landed.

MH ModF depending on the company who makes the rod are nearly as versatile as a F action.  ModF is good for spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, SBs, scrounger head, poppers, spooks and just about anything that would benefit with a soft tip.

Composite rods are good for most baits with trebles.  Depending on the rod you may be able to get away with some open hook baits.    

[PhishLI]

39 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

I blame Nassau county's School system...

Yeah, tell me about it

[Dumbbassanglr]

Loomis mbr 844

[Bluebasser86]

A rod with enough backbone to drive a big hook and move a big fish, but a good flex to keep them from tearing off and a nice tip to feel the vibration and those push bites. I also like a shorter rod because most of my cast are shorter around targets.

 

My rod of choice is a 6' 9" H/F Hammer Micro

[DitchPanda]

I use an old Berkley lightning rod shock I got on clearance for $12. Its 7ft medhvy mod fast its fairly parabolic but not a true cranking rod as it still has good backbone power to drive a hook. I also use this rod for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. 

I'm all for quality gear and would never discourage someone from buying an upper end rod...but for me I don't spend alot on moving bait rods or top water rods...I save that money for finesse and jig rods.

[5by3]

On 2/14/2021 at 1:31 PM, jbsoonerfan said:

Shimano Expride 7'2 MH Glass Moderate action. I throw them with 40# braid. This combo seems to work well with the way I fish.

This is my exact set up. Don’t have much time on it yet because of the ice, but it feels great in hand. Also used to fish the dobyns 736 cb glass rod and really liked the way that rod loaded up.

[Bankbeater]

I don't have a dedicated chatterbait rod.  I have a dedicated moving bait rod. It's a 7'0" mh/f, but it fishes like a m/f.

 

[huZZah]

23 hours ago, Bankbeater said:

I don't have a dedicated chatterbait rod.  I have a dedicated moving bait rod. It's a 7'0" mh/f, but it fishes like a m/f.

 

Same. Since not all rods are equal, go more for what you expect to do when you hook a fish. I like to chatter bait like a jig, since that’s what it is. 

[ChrisD46]

Abu / Garcia just came out with their "Winch" series casting rods in dark silver color for $149  (not to be confused with the Winch model in the Veritas series) . The MH / Mod Fast may be good for chatter baits and cranks .

[roadwarrior]

On 2/14/2021 at 7:07 PM, Dumbbassanglr said:

Loomis mbr 844

I want a firm tip for all single hooks. The 844 is the perfect all around

rod for jigs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

 

[MiceNReets]

Loving my Evergreen combat stick for crankbaits & blades jigs.   Get the job done just right.    My previous chatterbait rod was the Okuma TCS Scott Martin Frog/Swimbait rod.   Never missed a chatterbait bite with that rod.   ?? 

[masterbaiter9117]

falcon "deep runner" 7'3 mh moderate fast

15lb pline tactical flouro

 

also likes to throw colordo and thunderwillow spinnerbaits

[optimator]

On 2/18/2021 at 7:04 AM, roadwarrior said:

I want a firm tip for all single hooks. The 844 is the perfect all around

rod for jigs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

 

How about a PR844c? It's my dedicated crankbait rod. 

[roadwarrior]

6 hours ago, optimator said:

How about a PR844c? It's my dedicated crankbait rod. 

That is my crankbait and topwater rod, too!

[Fishes in trees]

My current chatter bait rod  (for the past3 years) is an older Diawa Light & Tough 7' worming/jiggin rod.   Got it at a pawn shop.   It has way too much tip for me to use it as a worm rod, but to me it has the right amount of tip  so that I can sling a half ounce chatter bait as far as I want.   I've experimented with several different reels and the Calcutta TEGT worked the best, then last year I had my old Shimano Calais  tuned , oiled & polished and I like it best now.  This reel handles 20 lb mono great.