chatterbaits

[50fisherman]

Fished a chatterbait today for the first time and had fair success considering I really didn't know what I was doing. Had on 2+ ld to the boat when it came unbuttoned and had another hugh bite that never did hook-uo. Was wondering if I shoud be using a trailer hook or if a trailer hook would be a problem with the plastic trailer on the bait? Any heklp would be appreciated

[ssaB_htuoM_egraL]

I have never needed a trailer hook after I sharpen the hook.  Sometimes right out of the box you may need to sharpen the hook on all Chatterbaits.  Good luck!!

[koko36265]

I have added trailer hooks to all of mine.... I have seen a big jump in hook ups also..... I usually do not fish them a lot but when I do I do fairly well with them... The biggest I have caught on them is a 6lb Large Mouth.... Couple of weeks later at about the same spot I caught a 5 and a half pounder...... Both time I was burning them as fast as I could on a ABU STX-HI..... I have caught fish that way and also fishing them a little slower... Kinda of like a jig but the only time I let it hit bottom is on the cast.. After that I let it sit for about 10 sec, then I reel up slack and give it a tap, tap, tap, then real in slack and repeat until out of the strike zone... Those are the 2 ways that have worked the best for me...

[koko36265]

O yeah I have found that if you are burning it and it stops vibrating set the hook...

[Marty]

I use trailer hooks on mine. A trailer hook used in conjunction with a soft plastic trailer is not a problem. However, based on other lures, a curly-tailed grub as a trailer interferes with the trailer hook, but the straight-tailed trailer on the Chatterbait and other lures does not interfere with the hooks.

[Sam]

SSAB is correct above.

You have to sharpen the hooks right out of the box.

I learned the hard way and I still can see that beauty jumping out of the water and throwing the Chatterbait on the Pamunkey River.

I also have been known to add a trailer hook.

Good luck.

[New Bass Man]

I don't find trailer hooks necessary.  I do sharpen my hooks.  

[dink]

I have had a homemade chatterbait tied on all Summer with mucho success.  One thing I started doing that increased my catch percentage was to modify the hookset.  Initially, I would set the hook with conviction (due to its likeness to a spinnerbait) and lose many fish during the fight.  I changed my hookset to one more like I would use for small crankbaits.  Once hit, I don't swing fast.... just put on some pressure and let the fish secure itself.  No hookset is 100% foolproof, but after this little modification my catch ratio has increased dramatically with these baits.