Chatter bait rod

[Columbia Craw]

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

How does the Tatula compare to the 736 Champ?

A bit slower and just a slight less power. The 5 power Dobyns are closer to the Tatula.  The 736 is great for anything 1/2 ounce with trailer.  The Tatula seems about maxed out but sets hooks just fine. The Kaden is right in the middle.

[ErieCan]

8 hours ago, T-Billy said:

10-4. I've checked out the graphite Tatulas in the store. Really nice rods for the $$$.

 I'm really nit pickin at this point. My hook and land ratio is really good with the Ark and Abu MH composites, but I find myself running back the deck on the hookset pretty often to stay tight. I'd like a little more power in the middle of the blank. The 7'3" H BPS crankin stick has the power but not quite as soft a tip as the MH's. It's also more sensitive than the others and I lip hook and lose more fish. All three are good chatterbait rods, but none of them make me go that's EXACTLY what I want in my CB rod. I dunno, I may be chasing a unicorn, but what the heck, there's worse things to blow money on than fishin poles.

 

Although I haven't tried them, I've heard good things about the St. Croix "rip'n chatter" models.  They have them in the Victory line and Legend Tournament Bass line. 

 

 

[Cody28]

On 6/30/2022 at 10:59 AM, Boomstick said:

The MH/F Avid is on the stiffer side. It works, but isn't perfect. The MH/MF in the St Croix line is however.

 

In defense of the "crankbait rod", some deep diver rods do work pretty well. At least a medium heavy power and a mod fast tip. The St Croix glass rods are correctly rated as moderate and won't get you there.

I love the St. Croix Mod fast tip for chatterbaits, but only the Mojo bass and older lines. Personally, I use the Mojo Bass 7'0" MHMF for all of my 3/8 oz chatterbaits. I have much more expensive rods, but cannot find one that does the job better. The new MHMF as seen in the Victory series, is more of a true crankbait rod.

[Cody28]

The reason I personally like a softer rod for chatterbaits is for when they swipe at it. It really helps me keep those hesitant fish pinned. In my area this seems to happen a lot and they just barely get it hooked in the side skin of the mouth. When I have used a jig rod in the past, I kept losing them. Just assumed I was ripping it out of their mouth based on how they were barely hooked when I would land one. Made the switch and greatly increased my hookup ratio. 

[T-Billy]

Tatula showed up today. Exactly what I was hoping for. Darn near identical taper to the B-Hittay, with about a one power step up. Similar in power to a 5 power Dobyns Flip with a softer tip and slower taper. Pretty nice full cork handle, and the Tatula seat is very comfy. I can't wait to hit the water with it. Dang Monkey got ahold of me again this morning, and now there's a BB1 Pro on the way to pair it with.

[dodgeguy]

BB1 Pro is a great long casting reel.

[T-Billy]

3 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

BB1 Pro is a great long casting reel.

That's why I picked it. All my reels give me all the distance I want or need when fishing grass and visible cover, which I do alot with a CB, but I also fish rocky structure with 'em and I'd like to get more distance for that than my current lineup is capable of. The BB1 has a reputation for being able to bomb baits out there.

[LrgmouthShad]

50 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

and now there's a BB1 Pro on the way to pair it with.

You'll have to let me know how you like that BB1 pro. Sweet. 

[dodgeguy]

48 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

That's why I picked it. All my reels give me all the distance I want or need when fishing grass and visible cover, which I do alot with a CB, but I also fish rocky structure with 'em and I'd like to get more distance for that than my current lineup is capable of. The BB1 has a reputation for being able to bomb baits out there.

What ratio did you get ?

[T-Billy]

5 minutes ago, dodgeguy said:

What ratio did you get ?

7 speed.

[dodgeguy]

41 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

7 speed.

Cool.mines a 6.2 for deep cranks. Thinking of getting a 7.5 for lipless.

[zpelletier]

16 hours ago, T-Billy said:

Tatula showed up today. Exactly what I was hoping for. Darn near identical taper to the B-Hittay, with about a one power step up. Similar in power to a 5 power Dobyns Flip with a softer tip and slower taper. Pretty nice full cork handle, and the Tatula seat is very comfy. I can't wait to hit the water with it. Dang Monkey got ahold of me again this morning, and now there's a BB1 Pro on the way to pair it with.

I mostly fish 3/8 chatterbaits, maybe a 1/2 every once in a while. You think the heavy Tatula is too much?

[LrgmouthShad]

On 7/5/2022 at 11:49 PM, Cody28 said:

The reason I personally like a softer rod for chatterbaits is for when they swipe at it. It really helps me keep those hesitant fish pinned. In my area this seems to happen a lot and they just barely get it hooked in the side skin of the mouth. When I have used a jig rod in the past, I kept losing them. Just assumed I was ripping it out of their mouth based on how they were barely hooked when I would land one. Made the switch and greatly increased my hookup ratio. 

By softer you mean a more moderate taper? Instead of fast? I agree based on my experience with spinnerbaits. 

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, zpelletier said:

I mostly fish 3/8 chatterbaits, maybe a 1/2 every once in a while. You think the heavy Tatula is too much?

No. I fish 3/8 around grass, and mostly 1/2 on structure and I think it's gonna be just right. I'll know better after I take it for a spin Sunday night. 

 

[zpelletier]

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

No. I fish 3/8 around grass, and mostly 1/2 on structure and I think it's gonna be just right. I'll know better after I take it for a spin Sunday night. 

 

Awesome, I’m curious how it’ll compare to the B-Hittay. 

[Cbump]

On 6/30/2022 at 3:13 PM, Cbump said:

St Croix Mojo MHMF “spinnerbait” model. Straight braid. Love It. 

 
Thought I would add that I have some backup rods that work well also. 

Falcon Bucoo 6’6” MHMF, 15lb fc

Falcon Lowrider Head Turner, 16lb fc

 

I do not like whippy glass rods for chatterbaits. 

[suzuki2903]

Lews signature series has a chatterbait specific rod that works well, soft tip and strong back bone. Listed as a mh f 

[T-Billy]

On 7/8/2022 at 12:22 PM, zpelletier said:

Awesome, I’m curious how it’ll compare to the B-Hittay. 

Got out last night for a few hours. Alternated back and forth between the two rods, each rigged with a 3/8 CB, Do-It Baby Berry trailer. Skirtless. What an awesome CB/Swim Jig trailer.

 

The bite was tough. Only caught nine, 5 Tatula/4 B-Hit, and missed a couple. I'd be hard pressed to pick a winner at this point. In fact, I don't think it's a matter of one rod being better than the other, but more of a situational thing.

The Tat is definitely a more powerful rod. Hooksets are more solid feeling and it's easier to clear grass off the bait with it, but the tip is still soft enough for my liking. First fish on it was this 4-8 that hit on a short line.

It was a matter of a few turns of the reel handle and a boat flip. The rod handled it with ease. I prefer the Tat in cover for sure. The Tat is a heavier rod though and more tip heavy. Not an issue for me throwing chatters, but it's something to consider for someone looking at these two rods. Tat is sensitive enough to feel the blade get squirrely when a fish pushes up close behind the bait though, so feel is not an issue. All around, it's a great CB rod. Glad I bought it.

 The B-Hit is also very good. A little less power than the Tat, but it's got a softer tip, it's lighter, and a bit more sensitive, though the difference isn't huge in any of these departments, it's noticeable. Though hooksets aren't as solid feeling with it, it gets the job done. My hook and land ratio has been excellent with the B-Hit. 

Going forward, The Tat will probably be my primary when fishing gass, and the B-Hit will handle rock crawling duty. Both rods have quality blanks, comfy reel seats, and Fuji K series guides with Fazlite inserts. I do prefer the full cork on the Tat for chuckin and windin though. All in all, these are two great CB rods, and ya really can't go wrong with either. 

 Honorable mention goes to the BP Crankin Stick 7'3" heavy. It's lighter and more sensitive than either of the above. It's very similar in power as my Dobyns 735 Fury, with a softer tip and a slower taper. At $80 bucks or so, it's a steal. 

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I don’t buy the theory of pulling the bait away from the fish. If they want it, they’ll get it. If you’re having short strikes it’s due to fish mood, bait size, retrieve speed or cadence, possibly color. 

[Bass Rutten]

10 minutes ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

I don’t buy the theory of pulling the bait away from the fish. If they want it, they’ll get it. If you’re having short strikes it’s due to fish mood, bait size, retrieve speed or cadence, possibly color. 

True dat sir, but sometimes they "almost" want it, and that tiny bit of delay created by line stretch and/or rod flex is enough to give it to them.

[T-Billy]

34 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

True dat sir, but sometimes they "almost" want it, and that tiny bit of delay created by line stretch and/or rod flex is enough to give it to them.

Especially with chatterbaits. Bites are all over the place with this bait, from crushing it, to nipping at it, to grabbing it and just swimming along with it... I've had more trouble finding a CB rod I'm really happy with than any other bait. I've lost a pile of fish on this bait, and quite a few big ones, especially back when I was throwing them on fast graphite rods. Got a few I like now, but it's been a journey. Hooking them is only half the battle, getting them to the boat is the other. Mod fast rods work best for me by far.

[new2BC4bass]

I have never fished a chatterbait.  I picked up a few to try.  Sounds like one of these rods should work: B-Hittay, OG Tatula 7'2" MHR, HMG 7'2" Med-MedFast (3/8-1 oz.), or Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF seeing has how many of you prefer a slower action than Fast.  Adding a Fast action rod into the equation opens up a lot of possibilities, but I'm guessing a Hammer or Falcon would be near the top for MHF rods.

 

Which rod would be your first choice from the above list for 3/8-1/2 oz. chatterbaits?  I'm willing to try more than one in a side by side comparison.  Your favorite reel ratio?

[zpelletier]

7 hours ago, T-Billy said:

All in all, these are two great CB rods, and ya really can't go wrong with either. 

Great review, much appreciated

[Bass Rutten]

2 hours ago, T-Billy said:

I've had more trouble finding a CB rod I'm really happy with than any other bait

Been through a few myself. I recently found what I’m confident is the "one” and I found it of all places in my own closet, a rod I put away a few months ago, go figure. It's got a taper that can bomb casts and prevent slack with enough power to set the hook especially at distance. My biggest dilemma has been losing fish on the initial jump due to either slack and/or not getting the hook buried especially on distance hooksets.

[T-Billy]

2 hours ago, Bass Rutten said:

My biggest dilemma has been losing fish on the initial jump due to either slack and/or not getting the hook buried especially on distance hooksets.

I hear ya. Long distance hooksetting power is one reason I throw them on braid. It also makes it easier to clear grass from the bait.

5 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

I have never fished a chatterbait.  I picked up a few to try.  Sounds like one of these rods should work: B-Hittay, OG Tatula 7'2" MHR, HMG 7'2" Med-MedFast (3/8-1 oz.), or Smallmouth 6'10" MH-MF seeing has how many of you prefer a slower action than Fast.  Adding a Fast action rod into the equation opens up a lot of possibilities, but I'm guessing a Hammer or Falcon would be near the top for MHF rods.

 

Which rod would be your first choice from the above list for 3/8-1/2 oz. chatterbaits?  I'm willing to try more than one in a side by side comparison.  Your favorite reel ratio?

B-Hittay or Tatula for sure from those listed. I like a 7 speed for them, but will use an 8 when fishing shallow grass. They follow, grab it, and swim toward you sometimes. It's important to be able to pick up line quickly.