Chatterbait Bass 2024
Bankbeater reply :
I bought some chatterbaits when they first came out, didn't have any luck with them, and they have been pretty much on the bottom of the bait list over the years.
I went out Saturday morning to walk the bank on a pond that I haven't fished yet this year. The temps were in the mid 40's, and the water was ice cold to the touch. There was a green pumpkin chatterbait in my tackle box so I tied it on and added a green pumpkin/blue trailer. I cast out into the deep part of the pond and was slow rolling the bait back when I hooked a 3-09 bass. It was the only one of the day. I'm definitely going to have to use chatterbaits more when I fish.
Catch and Grease reply :
Nice fish! Yeah I wanna get more into chatterbaits as well...
Bluebasser86 reply :
They're an extremely effective tool that I think a lot of fishermen don't understand how to use properly. I started out trying to fish them like a spinnerbait and have very limited success. While they are a little similar and the two work in the same general areas, I use them differently and at different times than I do a spinnerbait. You catching that bass in cold water proves one of the common misconceptions wrong that they're a warm water bait only. Keep fishing them and they will continue to reward you 
jbw252 reply :
Congrats - nice fish. So many lures and so little time... I gotta try some chatterbaits!
BammerBass reply :
Nicely done. Bass fishing, like mathematics, often has alternate ways to get answers/results!! But id defi itely prefer bass fishing any day!!
MIbassin reply :
On 12/1/2014 at 8:26 PM, Bluebasser86 said:They're an extremely effective tool that I think a lot of fishermen don't understand how to use properly. I started out trying to fish them like a spinnerbait and have very limited success. While they are a little similar and the two work in the same general areas, I use them differently and at different times than I do a spinnerbait. You catching that bass in cold water proves one of the common misconceptions wrong that they're a warm water bait only. Keep fishing them and they will continue to reward you
Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!
Jtrout reply :
For some reason a chatterbait was one of the first baits I picked up when I started bass fishjng and I caught my PB and a bunch of others since then. I like white ones with a matching paddle tail swimbait or blue gill color with a matching paddle tail swim bait. Sometimes If the swim baits are to big I bite the heads off.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/2/2014 at 4:26 AM, MIbassin said:Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!
Spinnerbaits for me are a more clear water or faster retrieve bait or when fish are feeding on smaller baitfish. I fish my bladed jigs extremely slowly, just fast enough to keep the blade vibrating, even bumping the bottom if possible. In lakes that see lots a spinnerbaits, a bladed jig is a good replacement. They also shine in stained or dirty water or around vegetation because the strong vibration helps the fish hone in on the bait.
There are times I will fish them faster (over vegetation for example), but 9 out of 10 larger bass I catch on them will be during a very slow retrieve. I've had good success with them using a stroking or pumping retrieve, letting them settle to the bottom then lifting the rod quickly before letting it settle again.
I think 2 of the biggest mistakes I see guys make with bladed jigs are, 1. fishing them too fast and 2. not recognizing a bite. Like I said, I like to fish them slowly. The issue then becomes that a big bass can lazily swim up to the bait, inhale it while maintaining a similar pace, then spit the bait out without it ever feeling much different. I can't count the number of big fish I've caught on them where it felt just slightly different. Sometimes it feels like the blade has quite working, other times like I've caught a leaf or piece of weeds. I think the common notion is that since it's a moving bait the strikes will be vicious, which they certainly are at times, but more often than not they're much more subtle than I think most fishermen expect. I first realized this by fishing clear water and actually seeing bass strike my bait and noticing that I felt very little despite the bait being almost completely inhaled on a couple occasions. I thought back and realized I'd felt similar strikes lots of times before but never realized they were strikes. Once I started setting the hook on those little bumps and when the blade just wasn't vibrating as hard, I was amazed how many fish I was catching that I didn't even know were there before.
Lastly, it's always possible that they just aren't a good tool in the areas you're fishing them. If you fish anywhere with stained water and vegetation though, I'm 100% certain there is a time when they will shine for you.
roadwarrior reply :
I have had great luck this year with a white skirt and white Rage Structure Bug trailer.
Another suggestion is fishing the Chatterbait skirtless with a Cut-R trailer. For a much
slower presentation the Rage Blade rules!
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 12/2/2014 at 4:26 AM, MIbassin said:Could you maybe run through some of the differences between them and spinnerbaits and where you use each one? I have not caught a single bass on a chatter bait and i want to because i know they catch lots of big bass!
I generally fish a chatterbait around grass. I choose to fish a spinnerbait around grass as well, but less than the bladed jig. I prefer a spinnerbait around other types of cover, and when they're is more light penetration.
*Hank reply :
Nice man I have caught one yet on a chatterbait but hope to get one soon.
Felixone reply :
On 12/2/2014 at 3:46 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Sometimes it feels like the blade has quite working, other times like I've caught a leaf or piece of weeds.
Thank you very much for this. I don't know why but chatterbaits are one of the lures I really wanted to work for me, but all I have caught on them are pickerel. Honestly I had kind of given up on them. However, after reading this I realized that I too might be missing a bunch of strikes. I couldn't even begin to guess how many times I have fished them and on retrieve felt something similar to what you describe. It makes me wonder how many fish I have missed. I have plans to head out for a couple hours tomorrow so I will definitely give them another shot. Even though it hasn't been successful yet in regards to bass I also use similar retrieve techniques. Some times I will just slowly reel in just fast enough to get the blade just barely moving, other times I will do a fast retrieve. The retrieve I use the most though is the "pumping" style you mentioned. I typically raise the rod tip up just far enough I feel a small "buzz" from the blade before letting it settle again. I will reel the slack line in as it sinks back down.
MikeinFresno reply :
Two times Ive had strikes on the first cast with them. Both times it was the lift and fall retrieve. Both times a failed to get the hook thru the lips. I came to realize with the larger thicker wire hook I needed to use a heavier rod to pinch it thru the lip.
BassinBobSmith reply :
All good info guys. But something I've also noticed is that when the wind is blowing and the water choppy the spinnerbait will generally outfish the chatterbait shallow, whereas when its clear and calm the chatterbait seems to be the better of the two.
I like a Zoom Swimming Fluke as a trailer probably 80 percent of the time, normally use the 3/8 - 1/2 ounce bladed jigs, going back and forth between Z-Man and Rage Blade. The Rage Blade does seem to be more resistant to hanging up though, maybe because the weight is on the bottom of the blade and not behind it. I also keep a lot of different skirts in the boat and change them to match the conditions when I need to.
Fish them, have faith in them, and they'll catch fish. Took me a while before I started using them and I regret not jumping on the bandwagon when it first rolled out
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/9/2014 at 9:23 AM, BassinBobSmith said:All good info guys. But something I've also noticed is that when the wind is blowing and the water choppy the spinnerbait will generally outfish the chatterbait shallow, whereas when its clear and calm the chatterbait seems to be the better of the two.
I've found the opposite of this to be true, normally I do better with a spinnerbait than a bladed jig when it's calm and clear. Just shows the importance of experimenting and finding what works best in each situation and location.
Choporoz reply :
Add me to the list of those without confidence in a bladed jig. I think I've given them a reasonable shot, but perhaps not always as slow as possible. I have gotten a few strikes, but have had zero hook-ups. I have tried blue, white/red, green/brown, red, white.....tried the zman trailers, flukes, grubs, finesse worm trailers.....all with same lack of success. I'll probably give them another shot in the spring, but I'm close to abandoning them altogether.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/9/2014 at 10:45 PM, Choporoz said:Add me to the list of those without confidence in a bladed jig. I think I've given them a reasonable shot, but perhaps not always as slow as possible. I have gotten a few strikes, but have had zero hook-ups. I have tried blue, white/red, green/brown, red, white.....tried the zman trailers, flukes, grubs, finesse worm trailers.....all with same lack of success. I'll probably give them another shot in the spring, but I'm close to abandoning them altogether.
Not fishing the Zman one are you? I never could hook a fish with that junk hook either.
riverbasser13 reply :
The last time I was in Wal Mart I picked up a white 1/8th oz z man chatterbait. It was in the dollar bin so what the heck. It's been the only bait producing for me in the ponds I fish. There are better ones out there though so I've upgraded, but the bladed jig/chatterbait is definitely in my game plan now. Great tips by bluebasser also, I'll be setting the hook a little quicker from now on.
AK-Jax86 reply :
Nice bass
I didn't read any responses but if you use a chatterbait with some type of paddle tail swimbait it works real good. I like the Havoc 3.5" ones I forget the actual name of the bait but it's a swimbaits with a paddle tail. Bass here in North FL are tearing them up
Choporoz reply :
On 12/10/2014 at 3:44 PM, Bluebasser86 said:Not fishing the Zman one are you? I never could hook a fish with that junk hook either.
Yes. All but one were zman chatterbaits. I did get a Rage Blade this summer and tossed it a number of times. I will admit that I was probably not giving it an honest try since I'd pretty much given up on bladed jigs by then.
roadwarrior reply :
(1) Try the Rage Blade using a white Rage Structure Bug rigged horizontal (flat).
(2) Remove the skirt and fish the Rage Blade with a Cut-R trailer (tail down).
The Rage Blade is designed to fish slow. Try to tick the bottom on retrieve
and pop it occasionally. This is a presentation I was taught by The Master.
Choporoz reply :
Interesting. Thanks! I never considered a Structure Bug for a trailer -- just seems like more bulk than I generally consider.
And....I'm not positive about the white....I trust you and all...and will give it a try....but it is definitely not a confidence color for me here in VA. Maybe one day a year I'll get some hits on a white Senko, but little confidence in anything else white -- even those great looking pearl Super Flukes (chart. tipped tail) don't get it done for me.
The Cut-R trailer certainly sounds like a winner. Not all that different a look than when I cut off tore-up head of Cut R's and put them on scrounger head. Winner.
roadwarrior reply :
You don't need to buy any white bugs, just send me your
address in a PM and I will mail you a few.
-Kent
MassBass reply :
I think this cold season is the niche that will make the rage blade shine. I am looking to give my rage blade another try; but during spring and summer my Zman baits downright outperformed the rage blade.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 12/11/2014 at 4:20 AM, roadwarrior said:(1) Try the Rage Blade using a white Rage Structure Bug rigged horizontal (flat).
(2) Remove the skirt and fish the Rage Blade with a Cut-R trailer (tail down).
The Rage Blade is designed to fish slow. Try to tick the bottom on retrieve
and pop it occasionally. This is a presentation I was taught by The Master.
I'd never tried a Bug sideways and one day I tried it out of desperation when I forgot my trailers in the truck and got my tail bit off. Pulled my Bug off my T rig and proceeded to putting the smack down on them with the vertically rigged Bug. A Havoc Pitboss works well too but the Rage has a lot more action without creating as much lift.
gardnerjigman reply :
I like the rage menace on them too. Smoke shad color
ww2farmer reply :
I owe WNYbassman props for turning me on to bladed chatterbait style lures. I was always a spinner-bait guy before. Now the chatterbait,and the swim jig have all but replaced the spinnerbait for me.
retiredbosn reply :
I noticed s few have already mentioned this but it is important. Not all chatterbaits are the same, Z-man's hooks are just plain horrible. All isn't lost though, sharpen the hook and also close it a little. Most Z-man hooks actually have an almost imperceptable outward bend., near the barb. Makes it hard to hook up and very difficult to keep the fish buttoned.
Charlie Hicklin reply :
i had quite a bit of luck this year with a chatterbait...ive been planning on trying the rage blade but haven't bought any yet.. i don't like the way most others work though.. for me the original chatterbait can be fished slower/deeper and is easier to keep the blade vibrating... these work good by just using them sort of like you would a spinnerbait but they really work great when you slow them down and are just skipping over the top of the bottom or grass.. i consider it like trying to imitate a fast crawdad and not a baitfish... most spinnerbaits are used to imitate baitfish... i think where some people have no luck is trying this with the chatterbaits.. they'll work like that sometimes but for me the best way is to use a color that looks like a crawdad and fish them in and around cover almost like you would a jig and over the top of grass and just off the bottom... i know some people use spinnerbaits in the same way by slow rolling them but ive never been a big spinnerbait fan... i use crankbaits and chatterbaits for most of my fishing..
Ozark_Basser reply :
Chatterbaits are awesome baits. I make my own with bio silk and silicone skirts mixed in on an arky head. The bait will actually hunt like a crankbait if you throw one with an arky head with no trailer.
Wayne P. reply :
On 12/13/2014 at 12:01 PM, retiredbosn said:I noticed s few have already mentioned this but it is important. Not all chatterbaits are the same, Z-man's hooks are just plain horrible. All isn't lost though, sharpen the hook and also close it a little. Most Z-man hooks actually have an almost imperceptable outward bend., near the barb. Makes it hard to hook up and very difficult to keep the fish buttoned.
The Z-man Chatterbait is also available with GOOD hooks in the Elite and Pro versions.
If you bend the hook any (close it a little) on the junk version, it will make it a lot weaker.
mikekurinka reply :
My top 4 fish all on chatter baits. Play with the trailer and you can almost always catch something on it. I think of it as a swim jig not spinner bait. Slower, more stop and go, or in the same cover you throw an arkie jig it's chatter bait. Speed,edges of weed beds,sparse cover, steady retrieve use spinnerbait. Gambler big ez as trailer is going to catch you a road for sure. I always change the snap (where you tie your line ) to a larger size. It here than that it is by far my most confident lure I have
mikekurinka reply :
Other*
MacDaddyFishin reply :
Nice fish! Like it was posted above I only use a chatterbait in stained water and slow roll it. Bumping the bottom and getting that blade to vibrate. It works really well for me in grassy areas.
Jazzybass reply :
I've hade some luck vs spotted bass using a white/chartreuse bait with either a 3 1/2 inch white fluke with sparkles or a plain white 3 inch grub.
JLeon77 reply :
I've caught a ton of fish on a chatterbait. Definitely a confidence bait for me. You can always feel the blade vibrating which helps me detect bites.
bbodkin reply :
They are my trust lure. Used craws, lipless cranks, square bills, worms, spinnerbaits, and flukes with no luck. Ten minutes with a chatterbait and I caught this nice bass
I love chatterbaits. Zman is horrible quality but they are the most effective for me. D&M is more high quality but don't produce as much.
bbodkin reply :
Same here. Chatterbaits on a slightly windy day, sun not showing, looks like it's about to pour, that's the most effective time for me.On 12/9/2014 at 12:27 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I've found the opposite of this to be true, normally I do better with a spinnerbait than a bladed jig when it's calm and clear. Just shows the importance of experimenting and finding what works best in each situation and location.
SFL BassHunter reply :
Wow glad I came upon this. I picked up a chatterbait for the first time this weekend at basspro. I will keep all this info in mind when I go out and use it.
Smokinal reply :
On 1/6/2015 at 8:55 AM, bbodkin said:Same here. Chatterbaits on a slightly windy day, sun not showing, looks like it's about to pour, that's the most effective time for me.
Funny you mentioned this; I had a stupid good day on a blk/blue chatterbait during a horrible downpour of a day. Fish were very active and the jig was working pretty well so I thought I'd try a faster moving, similar bait and that was the ticket.
Gotfishyfingers? reply :
Chatter baits are definitely part of my arsenal. One thing I prefer is to throw it on a smaller gear ratio instead of a high speed one.
Jtrout reply :
The chatterbait was one of the first lures I used as I was getting into bass fishing. I caught my PB on a white one with the stock trailer. Now I have tons of them my best producing is the bluegill color with a gold blade and a fluke on the back. There is a pond nearby where all the visitors feed blue gills with bread and I seen big bass acting like sharks swiping at them so I threw the bluegill color behind the school and whacked them.
shanksmare reply :
I am a big fan of chatterbait type lures. I use them quite a bit and have had very good success with them. They are not a magic lure, if the bass are not in a chasing mood then they like most reaction type baits can be a tough sell.
I have noticed that the trailer can make as much or more of a difference than the make of bladed jig you are using. A paddletail swimbait will give you a much different action than a fluke type bait. The combinations are endless and each will give you a slightly different action.
Yesterday while fishing a Bagley version of the chatterbait I noticed something I had never thought of before. I had taken the skirt off the CB and was fishing it with a Hybrids Flurry trailer (a 3# paddle tail). I noticed that the CB was running slightly to one side. A careful inspection of the trailer indicated that I had been put it on slightly off center. However on a slow retrieve the bait would "hunt" at the slightest twitch. When I rerigged it straighter it was difficult to get it to "hunt" at all. Interesting!
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