Chatterbait Hook-up Problems

[BassFishingMachine]

Ok, I had a horrible experience with the chatterbait tonight, and I want to know if any of you guys also had this problem, or any possible solutions to fixing it.

So I'm casting a black/blue original chatterbait rigged with a GYCB Hula Grub as trailer along the sides of the lake. Bang I get a nice grab, I set the hook and the fish makes a few head shakes and hes gone. Ok.. big deal it happens. I start makin some more casts, nothin. Cast and cast again, and bang!, another fish on, again.. makes a few head shakes.. fish gone.. OK, now I'm startin to get a little P/O, but w/e it happens. I make a few more casts bang! Another fish on, a few head shakes, gone... OK NOW WTH! Make some more casts bang! another one, pops off before I can lift him.. I don't think this was a coincidence.. 4 fish.. all came unbuttoned..

Now all my hook sets were either right or left swipes, not straight up as you would set a jig. This is because its alot more easier to give a side swipe when fishing a chatterbait in my shallow lakes because this is the way you are holding the rod when working the bait, if I hold the rod tip in a position to give a straight upwards hook set the bait rides too close to the surface.

What do you think the problem was? Was it my right/left side swipes for hooksets (They were good hard hooksets).? Oh, I also noticed the hook on this chatterbait was not in a perfect "j" shape, it was just a TINY bit up, could this have been the problem? I tryed to bend into a better "j" shape, but its very difficult to bend, seems like the hook was made like this. Anyhow whats your solution? Can I use a trailer hook on a chatterbait? And if so, will the trailer hook screw with the action of the hulagrub? I love this black/blue chatterbait because it got tons of hits, but I can't use it if its not going to hook any of the fish.. I need some help!

[guitarkid]

I heard the hooks on the chatterbaits dull easily. But, I really do not know what the problem is that does sound kinda weird to me.

                     -tumnus

[fishbear]

I run trailer hooks on all my chatterbaits, a little less weedless, but I almost never miss a hookset.  

[BassFishingMachine]

But if im threading a hula grub onto the chatterbait, won't the trailer hook screw it up?

[burleytog]

Original Chatterbait = crap hook

Try the Strike King Pure Poison.

[fishbear]

But if im threading a hula grub onto the chatterbait, won't the trailer hook screw it up?

Thread it onto your trailer hook.

[flippincrazy]

I love chatterbaits. The hooks do need sharpened very often, like all hooks should be. The design of the bait and the heavy head gives the bass a lot of leverage to throw the hook. What line/rod are you using? I think chatterbaits have the best action, but gambler swimblades have amazing hooks and you won't loss many fish on them.

[BassFishingMachine]

I love chatterbaits. The hooks do need sharpened very often, like all hooks should be. The design of the bait and the heavy head gives the bass a lot of leverage to throw the hook. What line/rod are you using? I think chatterbaits have the best action, but gambler swimblades have amazing hooks and you won't loss many fish on them.

12lb Fluoro, 6,6 Medium/Heavy rod.

[SenkoShawn]

I HATE CHATTER BAIT.......

[Tokyo Tony]

Mr. Machine,

I am also a lover of the black/blue chatterbait. You asked if the trailer hook will mess with your hula grub trailer. It will unless you feel like re-rigging the trailer hook everytime you change your trailer, and checking the trailer after every cast to make sure it's not fouled.

Removing the trailer and using a trailer hook should solve your problem. I almost never use trailers on my chatterbaits and do pretty well on them.

By what you said though, that you had the bass on the hook but they were shaking off, it sounds like they're at least hooking themselves and not missing the bait altogether. Make sure the hook is sticky sharp and that you keep the pressure on him hard the whole time with the rod tip low. Like flippincrazy said, chatterbaits are head-heavy and can be thrown pretty easily, so you're almost better off horsing the fish in rather than playing her.

By the way, I don't know if you're into night fishing, but if you are, this bait is primo ;D

The Strike King Pure Poison is, IMO the best alternative to the original, but the action isn't as intense. For my $5 or $6, nothing beats the original Chatterbait.

edit: Just reread your post and you said the hook was bent out a bit. That could be your only problem.

[CWB]

Original Chatterbait = crap hook

Try the Strike King Pure Poison.

X2

Much better designed bait.

[retiredbosn]

IMO it was the side sweep hookset.  I caught my pb smallie on a black blue chatter.  I always set the hook straight up with jigs and chatters as I it sets the hook better and I loose a lot fewer fish that way.  I use a side sweep on crigs and cranks everything else straight up.  BTW I think the chatters are awesome.

[flippincrazy]

Set up sounds okay. Good hard hookset. And like Tokyo said horse the fish. Get them to the boat fast and don't let them turn at all. Sharpen hooks often.

[bassnleo]

IMHO your set-up sounds a little light.

I use a 6'9" Kistler jig rod and 30 lb braid. Although I agree that the Chatterbait hooks could be better, I keep them sharp and I almost never loose a fish. The bait has a big heavy hook and it's my theory that a heavy rod and line, and a hard hookset, helps bury that hook home thus reducing the number of fish that shake off. May I add that I catch both largies and smallies this way......

Just my .02!