Dedicated Chatterbait Rod: Yes or No?

[MontclairDave]

Just bought a G. Loomis IMX-Pro 844 as an all-around rod for 1/2 ounce+ baits. It’s relatively soft tip and unique moderate(ish) action makes me think this would be a great rod for bigger chatterbaits (plus a ton of other uses). So, do I really need another rod that is more dialed in for chatterbaits? I assume the glass/composite chatterbait crowd will say yes. But maybe the MBR action approximates that?

 

I fish out of a yak so space for rods limited to 3-4, tops.
 

Thanks!

[softwateronly]

I throw a 1/2oz jackhammer on a 904.  You absolutely will "catch" with the mbr action.  It's special imo.

 

scott

[A-Jay]

Fish it and find out.

A-Jay

[Jmurphy87]

The 844 will work perfectly for the chatter baits. The mbr action does a lot of things good. I have used mine for everything under the sun and it just gets it done without a problem. I think that you will be set up perfectly with the rod.

[MediumMouthBass]

4 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

So, do I really need another rod that is more dialed in for chatterbaits? I assume the glass/composite chatterbait crowd will say yes. But maybe the MBR action approximates that?

Yes. No. Chatterbaits are unlike most lures, it all depends on the person, and how they like to fish them. Whereas most lures and baits everyone just uses the same old rod, thats the standard.

 

Personally i hate glass rods, and moderate rods too. I love fishing most crankbaits and chatterbaits on the same 7'3" MH F rod i use for everything else. I can cast easier and farther, and its just more comfortable for me, and feels tailored to the way i fish. I feel like a glass rod would ruin my experience with how i fish both baits. 

Other guys will only feel right fishing a chatterbait on a specific glass rod, or one with a soft tip because they need the road to have that load.

Try the rod out, only you will be able to tell if its good enough for you, or not.

4 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

I fish out of a yak so space for rods limited to 3-4, tops.

 

4 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Just bought a G. Loomis IMX-Pro 844 as an all-around rod for 1/2 ounce+ baits.

 

I too fish out of a kayak, can take 12 rods, but only take 4. I found that each round being able to do multiple things good was more important than bringing double (if not triple) the amount that could only handle 1 technique great. As you stated, it was for an all around rod. Sounds like that could do a few things really good.

[Brian11719]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Fish it and find out.

 

what works perfectly for one person might be a completely different fit for someone else...but that said I use a KD735cb for chatterbaits, lipless crankbaits, and spooks...I've also heard you can throw regular crankbaits with it (so I suppose my vote would be no).

[casts_by_fly]

Fish it and see if it’s what you like, but only carrying 4-5 rods means each rod better be good at more than one thing unless you’re on a bite where you only need 4-5 lures all day. It happens some times. In late march and early April I will invariably have a chatterbait tied on around here so not the worst idea. If the rod does other stuff through the year then great. If not, then you’ve got a 10-month yard casting rod. 

[Mojo Bass]

I do not think a “dedicated” chatterbait rod is necessary. Especially fishing out a kayak I’d fish it on one of your more “versatile” rods and I’m sure you’ll be just fine. Now if you’re a boat guy with tons of storage space fill your boots and go technique specific for every rod. That’s just my 2cents for you being a kayak guy. 

[T-Billy]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Fish it and find out.

A-Jay

👆This is the correct answer. The only way to find out if that stick works for you is to go fish it.

 I'm personally in the heavy power, moderate action and braid camp. I landed there after trying a bunch of different setups. The braid gives me solid hooksets at long distance, and the mod taper keeps 'em pinned. I lose a lot of fish throwing a CB on faster rods, but some others don't seem to have that problem. 

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I can't speak for others, but no other technique specific rod was as needed or produced as dramatic and positive results as when I got a dedicated Chatterbait rod.   As a side huge bonus, it terms out the chatterbait rod I bought was just as brilliant for basically any kind of moving bait.   

 

So don't struggle with letting fish take that extra second to get the bait fully in their mouth, but I did.    I absolutely needed a slow glass tip to allow fish to eat the bait fully.     

 

Others in this thread are right though, before you do anything, might as well make sure you don't like or do like the current rod you intend to throw them on before making any decisions.  

[Blacktail 8541]

I really like my 844 glx for chatterbaits as well as spinnerbaits and buzz bait. It is also suitable for fishing compact jigs. I fish it with braid. When the grass gets heavy I prefer to step up to a Doybns 836 glass. 

[DogBone_384]

18 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

So, do I really need another rod that is more dialed in for chatterbaits?

That’s like asking your significant other if she needed a bigger diamond …

 

Find out for yourself by buying more rods and trying them. I tried a few different rods until I found a 7’3” Kistler KLX MH/MF in ‘20.

[T-Billy]

8 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

no other technique specific rod was as needed or produced as dramatic and positive results as when I got a dedicated Chatterbait rod.    

Well said, and I couldn't agree more. It was a frustrating search for me, but well worth the effort and $$$. The nighttime chatterbait bite that goes down starting when the water gets up to about 70 in late May/Early June, is my favorite way to catch them, followed closely by pitching the thick stuff.

[MontclairDave]

11 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I can't speak for others, but no other technique specific rod was as needed or produced as dramatic and positive results as when I got a dedicated Chatterbait rod.   As a side huge bonus, it terms out the chatterbait rod I bought was just as brilliant for basically any kind of moving bait.   

 

So don't struggle with letting fish take that extra second to get the bait fully in their mouth, but I did.    I absolutely needed a slow glass tip to allow fish to eat the bait fully.     

 

Others in this thread are right though, before you do anything, might as well make sure you don't like or do like the current rod you intend to throw them on before making any decisions.  

Which glass-rip rod did you get? 

[ike8120]

My chatterbait rod is a 7' M/F

[Bankbeater]

The rod I use is mh/f, but I use it for all of my heavier moving baits.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If you're really into chatterbaits then a purpose built rod may be worth looking into.  Its not like it would only be good for a chatterbait. 

Im not crazy about glass or softer tipped rods when fishing a chatterbait aggressively.  I like a 7'3 or 7'4 F rated from 1/4 or 5/16-1oz. could be MH or heavy or H depends on the company.  I dont have issues keeping them pinned with a F graphite rod and InvizX.  I tried a couple MH/MF that didnt have enough power in the mid section IMO.   

[Bluebasser86]

That's a technique that doesn't need a specialized rod to get by. There's rods that are better for it than others, but lots of rods will work and that one should be fine.

 

Only 3-4 rods in the yak though? I have a hard time keeping it under 10 in mine 🤣

[txchaser]

MBR is a winner on chatterbaits, unless you are really ripping it out of the grass hard, in which case it's too floppy. 

As said earlier, fish it and find out.