Replacing snaps on Chatterbait Mini Max?

[FryDog62]

I am changing out the much maligned stock snaps on 6 Chatterbait Mini Max lures that I have. I have some new 1.5 Decoy Egg Snaps and have changed a couple out with 4 to go.
 

They are a BUGGER to put on! I have managed, using a hemostat to pull the open end through, but am concerned about damaging them in the process.
 

There has to be a better way. Anyone have good/best practices that have worked for them? 

[Dwight Hottle]

Try these. Straight end to thread at a different angle.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Hyper_Welded_Quick_Snaps_6pk/descpage-OHQS.html

[FryDog62]

They look good, but of course just bought a bunch of the Decoys...

[Kev-mo]

So you're unhooking both sides of the snap so you can maneuver through both holes on blade? Or something to that effect? I think those egg snaps are rated pretty high for strength. As long as you're not overly stressing the wire you should be fine.

[Fishin Dad]

Fry dog, are the snaps bending/breaking or affecting the action?   I have heard this, but have caught some BIG pike on those and not had a problem.  Just curious if/why I should swap mine out too.  

[FryDog62]

I think I saw it on this site too, but at least one other site have heard of more than a few breaking. I was in Florida this winter and had one literally break (not bend out) in grass. That was enough for me knowing that I’m coming back to the land of snot-rockets and scud-missiles! 

[Fishin Dad]

Haha 10-4.   I might have to switch mine out then.  I might have to grab some of the Owners Mr. Hottle recommended to try if the Decoys are a pain.  Thanks.  

[Hawgfinder]

Well wth shouldn’t have to change out the snaps zman supposed to reputable company it’s not like the mini max is the original and now I’m ticked I bought a pile of mini max and I have to worry about crappy snaps when I’m engaged with a 5-6 bass. Was excited now distraught with Wisconsin fishing finally underway. Seems like a lot of companies short changing on quality to save a few bucks or pennies. Jerks

[FryDog62]

Agreed, just noticed reviews on TW are critical of the snaps too. I think I speak for most that we would pay the extra nickel for a decent snap. Would still be able to buy 2 Mini Max for the price of one Jackhammer. And there are many days the bite size lure will outfish its big brother. 

[Fat Ika]

This is funny. I just went on BR to ask how to do this. My 1.5 Decoys came in 3 days ago. First 2 attempts were a disaster. Warped 2 Decoy 1.5s on 2 different attempts. 

 

I'll have to try these out. I'm not sure what pound rating is the correct size? 26, 33, or 60 #?

[FryDog62]

Yes my first 2 weren't good... but the next 4 went on much better once I figured out best angles to thread the clip on.  My OCD required me to go back and re-do the first two. Pretty much mangled a thumb nail in the process, I'll have to hitch hike with the other hand for awhile lol.  

[Fat Ika]

Last year, I used the mini max on a Dobyns 735 CB Glass with straight 12# Yozuri Hybrid copoly. No snap issues. This year, I've been using the mini max on a Powell Endurance 7'2" medium glass spinning rod with straight 20 # braid or 20# braid-10# Yozuri Hybrid leader. Drag set fairly light, no issues with bass, until getting a 30" pike hitting/landing about 5 yards away from my position. Could be braid users maybe?

[FryDog62]

I was using 15 lb flouro mostly this past winter, but admittedly was probably not using the best rod for the technique (limited rod space when traveling). Am switching to a Zolo Dream and 12 lb fluoro for the smaller 1/4-3/8 oz chatterbaits. I do have a Chatterbound rod for 1/2-3/4 oz chatterbaits and 1/2 oz spinnerbaits (awesome rod btw) but that is with 17 lb fluoro and too heavy for the Mini Max. So it gets its own dedicated rod this year because I think the smaller bladed jig can be that good at times... just needs a beefier snap that's up to the task!

[Dwight Hottle]

@Fat Ika 

I use the 33lb or 60lb .

[Scott804]

They’re probably saving all the good snaps for when they release the new 25$ mini jackhammer…

[Tony Christian]

I was able to do it, you have to bend the wire a little bit to get it through and then close it up, I seriously scratched up the blade but it is still a fish catcher.

[Bluebasser86]

I've just started making my own version and have been using a #2 duolock snap. It fits pretty easily in the blades I have but maybe they're not quite the same as the Minimax blades. The holes are small and very close together and still managed to get them through pretty easily. 

[FryDog62]

11 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I've just started making my own version and have been using a #2 duolock snap. It fits pretty easily in the blades I have but maybe they're not quite the same as the Minimax blades. The holes are small and very close together and still managed to get them through pretty easily. 

Thanks, good to know the duolock fits well.  The other question is if it allows full movement of the blade like the original snap, albeit brittle it does allow good vibration (which is key with the smaller blade). 

[Bluebasser86]

13 minutes ago, FryDog62 said:

Thanks, good to know the duolock fits well.  The other question is if it allows full movement of the blade like the original snap, albeit brittle it does allow good vibration (which is key with the smaller blade). 

I just built these last last night and they swam really well with the duolock. I haven't fished the actual Minimax but I think these are really similar in size and everything. 

[waymont]

These are the best I've tried so far. They are very strong. I fish the MiniMax a ton, and have caught lots of bass and pike on them. I haven't had one open on a fish, but two times after popping it out of a snag the bait came back with the snap open.

 

Size one

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nishine_Lure_Works_Nishine_Original_Snap_20pk/descpage-NLWS.html

[txchaser]

On 5/10/2023 at 8:06 AM, Tony Christian said:

I was able to do it, you have to bend the wire a little bit to get it through and then close it up, I seriously scratched up the blade but it is still a fish catcher.

I've replaced 30+ jackhammer snaps with one similar to OP. You have to put the snap through the hole then push the wire all the way through and lay the snap almost parallel to the blade. Then push down and in, until the small bend on the end of the wire goes through the second hole.

 

Scratches the blade pretty much every time, but that's how I know you have the whole snap pushed down far enough to get that little wire bend in the second hole.

 

 

[Fat Ika]

On 5/9/2023 at 3:25 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Try these. Straight end to thread at a different angle.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Hyper_Welded_Quick_Snaps_6pk/descpage-OHQS.html

Thanks again for the Owner snap recommendation. Stupid easy to put on the mini max. 

[FryDog62]

5 hours ago, Fat Ika said:

Thanks again for the Owner snap recommendation. Stupid easy to put on the mini max. 

This…

 

I was out on the water for our fishing opener 3 days ago and 2 of the Decoy snaps I put on bent out. Anything you have to semi-mangle to put on isn’t good.
 

I replaced them today with the Owner Snaps that Dwight recommended and caught bass and the occasional pike.  Easy to put on, no bend outs, much better! 

[Eleet31]

On 5/9/2023 at 3:25 PM, Dwight Hottle said:

Try these. Straight end to thread at a different angle.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Hyper_Welded_Quick_Snaps_6pk/descpage-OHQS.html

What size hyper weld do you typical use for the mini max? #1 or 1.5?

[FryDog62]

48 minutes ago, Eleet31 said:

What size hyper weld do you typical use for the mini max? #1 or 1.5?

I have been using 1.5 and so far flawless…