Are chatterbaits worth investing in??

[The Rooster]

Are chatterbaits productive lures??  I've seen a bunch of these around here for sale, usually on clearance, and I'm guessing it's cause they don't sell well here.  Looks like a jig with a square blade attached to the head.  How do you use it??  I'm reluctant to try one, especially since I have nearly zero experience with a jig anyway.  

[Wayne P.]

A few years ago some tournaments in Florida were won using them. After that, the supply depleted so fast that some were being sold for $100+. They have since been copied by several lure companies and individuals. It was credited with a second place in the Bassmaster's Classic when held on the Kissimmee chain of lakes. Most of the bass I caught yesterday were with it. It's less of an "investment" than most of the Japanese made baits and large swimbaits. It's the right tool for certain conditions, just like most baits. Some touring pros have their boats wrapped with the Chatterbait brand.

Most, as I do, use it like a spinnerbait. It can be fished a lot slower and has an incredible vibration unmatched by any other lure type.

[Rob G.]

You do not have to have any jig experience to fish these.  The basic chuck and wind technique works well sometimes.  Chatterbaits have their time and place, not doubt in my mind.

[jrhennecke]

I tried them and didn't really care for them.  However like anythng else give em a try.  They may be just the ticket on your water.

[tkite16]

I've had a few good days at Lake of the Ozarks around boat docks fishing it like a jig .  I'd let it fall and pick it up till I felt the vibration then I'd sit it back down.  Worked well like this.

[TopDog]

You do not have to have any jig experience to fish these.  The basic chuck and wind technique works well sometimes.  Chatterbaits have their time and place, not doubt in my mind.

Agree!  You cant go wrong with having one or two in your box.  Last year we had a couple of good days with a black and blue fishing for smallies.

[GitRDoneIke23]

You do not have to have any jig experience to fish these. The basic chuck and wind technique works well sometimes. Chatterbaits have their time and place, not doubt in my mind.

Agree! You cant go wrong with having one or two in your box. Last year we had a couple of good days with a black and blue fishing for smallies.

They have a place in my tackle box!!! I have a few of 'em and they've put me on bass. I'd say try a couple out.

[FishTank]

I have a couple and have done just OK with them.  I have better luck with a good old fashion spinnerbait.  They are fun to fish though.

[GobbleDog]

My fishing partner brought a chatterbait to our last outing.... I'd never see one before.  Ugly looking bait.  I won't throw it.

[Fish Man]

get yourself a booyah boogie bait. these things never let me down and are extremly versitile as far as what conditions you can throw them in. ive had them work in the middle of both summer and winter and seem to be able to catch somthing more times than not, one of my more productive lures, one to to watch tho is to make sure after you get hung up or catch a fish that the clip that holds the body to the blade hasnt come loose  

[LCpointerKILLA]

I like them alright. I think a Single-colorado spinnerbait is more productive, but yes chatterbaits work.

[Tokyo Tony]

Yes, they're worth it.  They've become one of my go-to baits, especially for nightfishing.

Many different retrieves work, but my most productive to date is slow-rolling it along the bottom and ticking any structure/cover and pulsating it.  Sometimes when a fish hits it, you'll just feel the vibrations stop.  Othertimes, they just nail it.

[Other.]

I really like chatterbaits. Worth having them.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I haven't had spectacular success with them, but I will say this, when they hit, they rip the rod out of my hands.

Falcon

[HesterIsGod]

All Chatterbaits are is spinnerbait substitutes.

[mynameis....andimabassaholic]

i throw chatter baits in a river system that is filled with shad, i take off the skirt and trailer, and put a fluke on, works well for me

[ohiobassmaster93]

i have a few but my favorite one is the karu version...i haven't had a chance to actually fish it but i tried it rite after ice out just to use it and it had the best vibration and the skirt is better then some of the other brands

[dave]

A tool just like any other lure.  They certainly will catch fish.  Not a  "substitute" for any bait.  Just another tool in the tool box.

[burleytog]

Investing?  ;D

If you're buying, steer clear of the inferior dull hooks of the Chatterbait.

Out of the 'substitutes', the Strike King Pure Poison is the best of the lot.  Quality hook, quality blade, quality oval split rings.

[The Rooster]

Well I say investing because when I buy I usually don't just get one or two.  I have over 50 spinnerbaits as it is.  

What I can't figure out about these things is when rigging, does the blade go back over the head, or does it point forward and downward like a crankbait lip??  And another reason I haven't tried them yet is cause the blade does attach in a way that looks like it could come undone easily.  I'd be always worried it would cause me to lose a fish.  I'm not much on "gimcrack" gadgets.  To me this looked like a jig that somebody slapped a hunk of metal on top of and called a new lure.  If that's all it was, I could easily make some out of jigs instead of buying them new.  And I can also look at a spinnerbait or buzzbait in the package and readily see it's inherent action, but this chatterbait I just can't tell that it will do all that much in the water.

[Grey Wolf]

Simple , if you are that unsure about them  , don't invest in them.

[dave]

Well I say investing because when I buy I usually don't just get one or two.  I have over 50 spinnerbaits as it is.  

What I can't figure out about these things is when rigging, does the blade go back over the head, or does it point forward and downward like a crankbait lip??  And another reason I haven't tried them yet is cause the blade does attach in a way that looks like it could come undone easily.  I'd be always worried it would cause me to lose a fish.  I'm not much on "gimcrack" gadgets.  To me this looked like a jig that somebody slapped a hunk of metal on top of and called a new lure.  If that's all it was, I could easily make some out of jigs instead of buying them new.  And I can also look at a spinnerbait or buzzbait in the package and readily see it's inherent action, but this chatterbait I just can't tell that it will do all that much in the water.

Tie to the clip,  cast and retrieve.  The blade is on top.  You will have no doubt about the action when you retrieve it.  You will feel it all the way to your elbows.   Just get one or two and try them.   I know guys that now use them as their primary search baits.  Some people like them,  some don't.

[BassFishingMachine]

I feel pretty much the same way as brent, although I'll add in the list a jig, so if you have a jig/spinnerbait and buzzbait you don't need a chatterbait.

I bought one of these baits in the Booyah version, boogie bait I think it was called, anyway the hook on the thing had a bump imprinted on it about a dot behind the hook point, I had to file the bump off, and the hook still wasn't anything "quality" sharp.

I caught a few fish on the bait but nothing worth bragging about, I feel a spinnerbait/jig can easily replace this bait. Although I have heard a black/blue one works well at night, not enough to get me to buy another though.. Unless these things go on sale for 2-3 dollars a peice I won't be buying another.

[EastTexasBassin]

I took the skirt and trailer off of mine and put a Lake Fork Tackle live magic shad on it instead.  I use it more like a crankbait/swimbait for bass hanging out around deep water structure.

I think I only caught one fish on it the way it came in the package.  Many other anglers have had more success with a fluke, paddle tail, or some other shad imitation on it.

[Evan Pease]

X2 on the Pure Poison

90% of the people around here throw tandem spinners, buzzbaits, hoolapoppers, and some type of worm, I use the chatter style because it gives them a new bait to look at.