Chatterbait Vs Rattletrap 2024

jmoore020965 reply :

Are there times when you find a rattletrap works better or worse than a chatterbait? They seem to do basically the same thing, only the chatterbait is jig based so it's going to be more versatile and lifelike in many ways. What about those two compared to regular crankbaits? I just don't see much of a use for regular crankbaits anymore, since rattletraps and chatterbaits can be worked at any depth. Thoughts?

Sam reply :

Never thought about comparing the Chatterbait and a lipless crankbait as I use both at different times of the year.

I throw a lipless crankbait in the spring and fall in all bodies of water.

I throw the Chatterbait in the summer on rivers.

Since there are no rules in bass fishing that must be followed, and depending on where you live and the waters you fish, either bait can produce strikes at any time and anywhere.

Both baits can be fished under identical conditions so give them a shot and see which one produces the most strikes. And remember you can fish a Chatterbait over pads and surface grass while you cannot fish a lipless crankbait over pads and surface grass. Since both make lots of noise they are used in stained and dirty water.

Regular crankbaits have their place in your arsenal. The square bills are designed to be pulled over and through wood; crankbaits are used to find deeper holding bass; the colors are used to mimic forage at different depths and times of the year; some make noise while others are silent for different applications; and crankbaits are also used as search baits to find the bass.

The guys will be adding their input to this post so please read what they add.

Just remember, you have to experiment with all types of baits until you find the "pattern." You can use these two baits as search baits along with a crankbait or by themselves.

Please let us know how you do with your experiment.

You can use the lipless and Chatterbait like a crankbait

jmoore020965 reply :

I guess one factor I didn't consider is that there is a difference between "diving" as a crankbait does and "falling" as a rattle/chatter does. A crank bait has high fast action on the downward dive while the chatter/rattle just more or less flutters down and has the high fast action on its way back up towards your rod. This, honestly, is the only reason I could see choosing a crankbait over a chatter or rattle.

And beyond that I can't see why you would choose a rattle over a chatter because like you said, you can bring a chatter over anything. So often you're constantly throwing your search baits at and past all kinds of brush, cover, banks, weeds, etc, I just can never ever justify throwing on a hard bait with two treble hooks instead of a soft/jig-type bait that has basically the same noise level and action. Plus you can switch out the colors and profile ona Chatterbait without retying. Plus the soft body will always have more action. It just seems like an obvious choice to me, but that's why I'm reaching out to see what you guys think.

I know you're saying let the fish decide but I'm speaking in more of a theoretical sense, as I don't have time try everything, I'me trying to eliminate redundancy.

jmoore020965 reply :

And some guys might say that the treble hooks will help you hook more fish but guys with more experience will mostly argue against that- you lose so many fish on treble hooks but on a big jig hook such as on a chatterbait you rarely lose fish once they're fully hooked. Seems like the trebles just help you hook more cover.

Senko lover reply :

I can throw a chatterbait in places where I would be a little more hesitant to throw a ratltrap. A chatterbait is a little quieter than a Trap, although it has more vibration and flash.

Good question, I really don't know the answer!

gardnerjigman reply :

I don't think they are even on the same spectrum of techniques.

NathanW reply :

If you don't see the use for regular crankbaits anymore because the existance of Traps and Vibrating jigs I suggest you get better at crankbait fishing. At least get to that novice level of crankbait fishing because at that point you will clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages of a regular crankbait.

jmoore020965 reply :

Gardnerjigman they are clearly very similar baits- loud vibrating swimming baitfish. I'm just curious what situations would make you guys want to pull out a crank vs trap vs vibrating jigs. (Other than "I tried it and the fish took it so I kept fishing it lol")

NathanW I can come up with plenty of disadvantages but only one advantage that I listed above- the fact that cranks have the most action on the way down instead of the way up. That being said I'm curious to know if there's any jig based lures that have that diving wobble like a crank. Maybe if you bent the chatterbait blade down just right. I'm also curious about what advantages and disadvantages you would list personally. I guess another crankbait advantage is that it floats when you stop, which can have the appearance of a dying baitfish.

Senko lover provided some interesting insight that a trap is louder than a chatterbait, but it has more flash and vibration. So maybe in muddier water at times when the fish are more active, a chatterbait would shine?...

One thing (I think) I know about bass hearing is that the high frequency sounds (such as from the rattling) are non-directional for a bass, but they alert the fish that something is near and tends to stir them up. The low frequency sounds/vibrations (such as a crankbaits wobble or a Colorado blade) are directional, so they help a fish locate prey and strike accurately in low visibility situations.

So less HF sounds and more LF sounds (such as in a chatterbait) could maybe help the bass *find* the lure in dirty water, especially with the added flash of the blade, but without the added rattle to stir them up it might work better when they are already active.

So the question begs, any tips on making the chatterbait rattle louder with less vibration and less flash? If you could control all three of these variables then I would have a hard time justifying the use of a trap over a chatterbait.

It may seem silly, but I'm the type of guy who appreciates efficiency. If I can have a jig based solution instead of hard bodied lures I'm going to do it- it's a no brainier. A whole box of hard bodied lures give you the basically same number of options that a handful of jig components can give you, but the jigs will be weedless, soft-bodied, flavored, and customizable on the spot for different colors, actions, profile, etc, just by changing out the trailer or skirt.

I'm not saying you guys are wrong in suggesting that I should just "fish it all until I know everything." But on a forum with the most knowledgable guys in the world, I think we could get a strong conversation about the lure theory going here. It kind of kills that conversation to dismiss it to "just go fish them until you don't have that question anymore."

jmoore020965 reply :

Look at it this way- if you had a sinking hard lure that didn't vibrate or rattle, you would probably never use it over a swim jig. That is where my line of thinking starts, and I'm trying to follow it down the line to different hard bodied lures and see how much it holds up. I'm not suggesting *necessarily* it holds up all the way to this convo, but on some level it does, and I'd like to see some seasoned vets' input on specific advantages and disadvantages.

gardnerjigman reply :

K.I.S.S.....

jmoore020965 reply :

Haha that's true- and in the end that's my goal. Maybe that means different things for you and me. For you it means take the information as it's presented to you. For me it means simplify the system as much as possible by eliminating redundancy and inefficient designs in every area possible. Yes this requires more thought and theory, but that's what I get stoked on so I don't mind. Regardless, both of us are attempting to keep it simple, just with different definitions of what simple means. I'm also only a few years into serious bass fishing, so I'm trying to understand as much as possible. This type of analyzing helps me understand.

Fishes in trees reply :

For me - two different baits - two different purposes - kinda. A lipless crank - rattle trap style bait (although I never use Rattle Traps) for me, its purpose it to run over the tops of whatever grass/vegetation is available - at a pretty rapid pace. Early spring - it might be 2 feet deep. Late fall - same thing. In-between, whatever depth the grass is, I want a bait that I can pull pretty fast over the top of the grass. If the grass is topping out 2 feet below the surface in 8 feet of water, I still use the trap to tick the tops of the grass. Once grass gets matted over or otherwise gets too thick - trap don't work for me.

A chatterbait, I will use interchangeably with a spinnerbait. Some days the fish prefer one over the other. I've gotten more multi species action of the chatter bait. I've caught 3 channel cats in the 5 lb range on a chatter bait in 3 to 5 feet of water. Never had a catfish hit a spinner bait. For me, if the pattern involves bumping a lot of stumps, a spinner bait works better for me than a chatter bait. But that seems to be a day to day thing for me. JMO

Jon G reply :

Totally different baits just because they make noise does not make them similar...

iabass8 reply :

Two entirely different baits that excel in different situations.

J Francho reply :

I use them both for fishing. That's where the similarity ends.

jmoore020965 reply :

I just cannot imagine how any of you guys can say that a chatterbait is all that different from a lipless crank. Its not just about the noise, its about the side to side action, the fact that its representing a baitfish, and yes, its noisy.

I'm not saying they're exactly the same and they work exactly the same in the same situations. I'm saying they have a very similar side to side action, they both make a fair amount of HF and LF noise, and I have no clue what situations one would work better over the other. That's why I'm asking.

As far as fishability is concerned, the chatterbait wins out every time for me because of the upward turned single hook (I'm always throwing my search baits into the gunk, I can't imagine fishing any other way.)

...It's a simple question- *when would you* choose rattle trap, *when would you* choose a chatterbait. If you guys would seriously never consider them to be useful in the same situations, then which situations would each excel in for you?

jmoore020965 reply :

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUSTOM-MADE-DEEP-DIVING-CHATTERBAITS-BIGBASSBAITS-NET-FISHING-LURE-CHATTERBAITS-/181741515728

I just did a search for "diving chatterbait" to see if there was a good solution to get more action on the downward dive, such as in a standard crankbait, and I happened to come up with this ebay listing.

",BRAND NEW CUSTOM HAND PAINTED AND MADE PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT WINNING CHATTERBAITS-DEEP DIVERS.THE HOTEST BAIT EVERY SERIOUS FISHERMEN IS USING HERES THE SECRET INSTEAD OF THOWING DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS ALL SUMMER SWITCH TO A HEAVY MODEL DEEP RUNNING WEEDLESS SUPER SHARP CHATTERBAIT.CHOSE BETWEEN 3/4 OR 1 OUNCE IN FOUR DIFFRENT COLORS

WE ARE PRO GUIDES FISHING THE FAMOUS LAKE GUNTERSVILLE AND THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR USING OUR DEEP RUNNING CHATTERBAITS AND WE ARE CATCHING GIANT BASS EVERY DAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS BAIT DEEP!!!!!

.We are on the lakes everyday andnot only USE these baits but we have Bassmaster elite pros throwing them."

Not saying that vendors won't lie, but I don't think I'm the crazy one here. If heavy chatterbaits work as well as deep diving cranks, then it would make sense that a standard chatterbait will work as well as rattle trap. Obviously there are differences, but I cannot agree that they are "two completely different baits with completely different uses."

beagle 25 reply :

On 8/5/2015 at 6:14 PM, jmoore020965 said:
And some guys might say that the treble hooks will help you hook more fish but guys with more experience will mostly argue against that- you lose so many fish on treble hooks but on a big jig hook such as on a chatterbait you rarely lose fish once they're fully hooked. Seems like the trebles just help you hook more cover.

yeah it amazes me how those 6 hooks will get wrapped up in everything except a basses mouth

Jon G reply :

Chatterbaits are usually fished with a slow steady retrieve while lipless cranks are usually burned, yo-yo'd, killed, and ripped and popped hard.

You are saying that they are the same do to noise and action. If that were the case almost all the lures we use "are the same"

jmoore020965 reply :

So you don't think that a lipless crank is more similar to a chatterbait than say a jerkbait or texas rig?

PS I have had a ton of luck burning, yo-yoing, starting and stopping, etc with a chatterbait. It seems fish ALSO like it slow, more-so than a trap, and my theory for that is it has more lifelike action and appearance, so when you slow a trap down, the fish get a good look at it, and aren't as interested. That's just my experience though.

jmoore020965 reply :

Look at it in the water- it's not just "action"- it's the same action as a trap or crank. Side to side swimming action. Those are the only two classes of bait that offer that same action. Seriously guys? I think I'm about to give up on this with you guys.

PS I never said they were the same, I just said they have many similar elements.

deep reply :

My head hurts.

deep reply :

P.S. Try a scrounger.

jmoore020965 reply :

Scroungers are close but their action is more of a vibrating barrel roll. They don't "swing" side to side so much as "rotate" side to side which doesn't move nearly the same amount of water as a crank or chatterbait' side to side swing. Kind of a "finesse" cranking jig.

Consider this- so many people consider a chatterbait to be interchangeable with a spinnerbait. Why? It stands to reason that a chatter bait has a lot more in common with a crankbait. Is this theory completely lost on all you guys?

Jon G reply :

I'm really lost now on what you are trying to explain......

jmoore020965 reply :

I just want to know if they're so different, when would you use the two? Other than fishability reasons (treble hooks vs jig hook etc.)

You guys are acting like this isn't a valid question.

J Francho reply :

Your acting like you're the only one with a valid answer. If you feel like what you think is right, go with it. It doesn't mean everyone else has to jump onboard with your theory. What your saying *sounds* like your comparing a bird to a dog as pets. You can argue that they fill the same purpose, but you're not going to get too many to say they are the same.

jmoore020965 reply :

If you can't see the similarities, I would personally prefer you not participate in this conversation. A chatterbait is clearly the closest jig-based alternative to a crankbait that exists (unless you can name one closer). If you can't see that you're not looking.

jmoore020965 reply :

I'm asking. Not arguing. No one has explained when or why a fish might prefer one over the other, just that they will.

jmoore020965 reply :

But if you can't enter the conversation at least *acknowledging* their similarities, no, we're not going to have a productive conversation

Jon G reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 9:35 AM, jmoore020965 said:

I just want to know if they're so different, when would you use the two? Other than fishability reasons (treble hooks vs jig hook etc.)

You guys are acting like this isn't a valid question.

That's a great question. We were confused because you were rambling about how a chatterbait is like a lipless crank, a crank, and a lot of other baits and when we tell you it's not you say we are wrong.

The way a bladed jig and a lipless crank fish in the water are totally different. A fish tends to strikes a lipless crank due to the noise while a bladed jig tends to get bit more do to the vibration then anything else.

I fish a bladed jig pretty much anywhere except heavy slop in any condition year round. I fish a lipless crank mainly in grass flats in the fall and spring.

FWIW the bladed jig has been my number one search bait for the past 3 years and this year alone it has gotten me at least 50% of my bites this year.

jmoore020965 reply :

I take that back- I am arguing with the people who say there aren't similarities. I did not suggest that anyone wasn't allowed to express their thoughts, just that I personally, would rather they not. Clearly they have similarities. More similarities than most lures. If you cannot acknowledge that, then I probably won't listen to your opinion because they simply do have many similarities. If you disagree with that starting point I don't find your opinion to be credible.

J Francho reply :

Lol, I'll take the hit on my credibility. Have at it.

Jon G reply :

No offense but everyone here has told you they really are not similar. Can you admit that maybe your initial observations are wrong? There's nothing wrong with that. Anyways I have stated my opinion on that they are not similar and this is clearly not going anywhere since you just want someone to agree with you and won't accept any other answer answer to your question.

jmoore020965 reply :

Jon G, let's start with this, they're both great search baits. Yes?

You say you would use a vibration jig anywhere anytime. So does this include in grass flats in the fall and spring? If you're looking at a grass flat in the fall or spring, and you've got a vibration jig, and a rattle trap right in front of you. One rod. What goes through your mind when deciding between the two? At this point I assume it's the rattling, that would make you want to choose a rattle trap. So is there a reason you only use a rattle trap in spring and fall that you know of? Is the rattling too much noise in other seasons? I just want to get into the meat of the theory here, because I genuinely enjoy it.

Guys- I'm not trying to be a ******, I'm just trying to pick your brain, starting with what I know to be true. I know that cranks, traps, and chatters are the only 3 baits *I've ever used* that have that much horizontal side to side wobbling/vibrating action. This is true. If that doesn't make them at least "similar" then we must have different definitions of the word.

I know that all three are great search baits for active fish.

Of course they're different. I never ever disagreed with anyone's point that they will each work better in certain situations, I only disagreed with people who blatantly overlooked the above true statements.

jmoore020965 reply :

If someone asked you, what baits represent a vibrating/swimming baitfish, what answers could give them other than:

Crankbait

Rattle trap

Chatterbait

Scrounger jig

Paddle tail soft plastic/other vibrating soft plastics

The scrounged and soft plastics don't have nearly as much action, so that leaves the top 3. I'm *not* saying that means they're the same bait, but it doesn't get much more similar than that.

jmoore020965 reply :

If someone asked you, what baits represent a vibrating/swimming baitfish, what answers could give them other than:

Crankbait

Rattle trap

Chatterbait

Scrounger jig

Paddle tail soft plastic/other vibrating soft plastics

The scrounged and soft plastics don't have nearly as much action, so that leaves the top 3. I'm *not* saying that means they're the same bait, but it doesn't get much more similar than that.

blckshirt98 reply :

They both have a tight side to side wobble but the Rat-L-Trap is more of a "what the hell was that that just swam by my face I'm gonna eat it" type of reaction bait while the chatterbait is more of a "what's that thing heading my way I'm gonna go check it out" kind of bait. The chatterbait has the flaring skirt, and usually a plastic trailer, so it's just a "larger" presentation and usually fished slower or with more variation. The Rat-L-Trap to me has always been a rip it in at the right depth and hope the quick flash and vibration triggers a bite. I like to think of it more like a squid vs a sardine.

J Francho reply :

What something represents to me is irrelevant to whether a bass decides to strike a bait or not.

A-Jay reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 10:15 AM, jmoore020965 said:

I am arguing with the people.

I did suggest that anyone wasn't allowed to express their thoughts.

I personally, would rather they not.

Clearly I won't listen to your opinion.

I don't find your opinion to be credible.

Hello and Welcome to the Bass Resource Forum ~

After reading through this thread - I fixed your response above to reflect my perspective regarding it.

btw - Making a final judgement on "Credibility" on this Information LOADED Forum after one day of membership may counterproductive to getting the most out of the site.

A-Jay

deep reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 12:39 PM, jmoore020965 said:

If someone asked you, what baits represent a vibrating/swimming baitfish, what answers could give them other than:

Crankbait

Rattle trap

Chatterbait

Scrounger jig

Paddle tail soft plastic/other vibrating soft plastics

The scrounged and soft plastics don't have nearly as much action, so that leaves the top 3. I'm *not* saying that means they're the same bait, but it doesn't get much more similar than that.

Please explain how a crankbait or a rattle trap or a chatterbait is similar to a *vibrating/swimming* baitfish (other than the general shape, that is).

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 10:21 PM, deep said:
Please explain how a crankbait or a rattle trap or a chatterbait is similar to a *vibrating/swimming* baitfish (other than the general shape, that is).

This is why I give up.

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 2:49 PM, blckshirt98 said:
They both have a tight side to side wobble but the Rat-L-Trap is more of a "what the hell was that that just swam by my face I'm gonna eat it" type of reaction bait while the chatterbait is more of a "what's that thing heading my way I'm gonna go check it out" kind of bait. The chatterbait has the flaring skirt, and usually a plastic trailer, so it's just a "larger" presentation and usually fished slower or with more variation. The Rat-L-Trap to me has always been a rip it in at the right depth and hope the quick flash and vibration triggers a bite. I like to think of it more like a squid vs a sardine.

Thank you! Ive heard and read everyone suggesting to slow roll the chatterbait on the bottom, but honestly 80% of my chatterbait fish have come from me running it like a wake bait near grass edges, burning it/bulging it for that reaction strike. So maybe that's why my perspective on chatterbait fishing is different from others.

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 9:38 PM, J Francho said:
What something represents to me is irrelevant to whether a bass decides to strike a bait or not.

Okay, next time you throw a white popper into a school of shad on the surface, tell yourself that.

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 10:06 PM, A-Jay said:

Hello and Welcome to the Bass Resource Forum ~

After reading through this thread - I fixed your response above to reflect my perspective regarding it.

btw - Making a final judgement on "Credibility" on this Information LOADED Forum after one day of membership may counterproductive to getting the most out of the site.

A-Jay

A-Jay sorry but you're wrong. I honestly expressed *my own opinion* that if you can't acknowledge the glaring similarities (that doesn't mean they're the same!!) then you're either not looking or you're confused. Either way, *personally* I find those people's contribution to the conversation pointless, and *personally* would not like them to crowd the conversation. I had only hoped that they would take that piece of information and simply stay out of the conversation at their own will, but I know I can't stop them against their will. If I had suggested they weren't *allowed* to contribute I would be nuts, and wrong.

I am arguing with people who say they don't have *similarities* because clearly they do. Some people have entered the conversation acknowledging them, others have entered the conversation denying them. I get it if you would never use them in the same situation, but that doesnt mean they don't have some common important attributes. There are literally people saying they don't have common attributes at all, and those are the people who I can't help but say "you're wrong" to.

A-Jay reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 11:32 PM, jmoore020965 said:

A-Jay sorry but you're wrong. I honestly expressed *my own opinion* that if you can't acknowledge the glaring similarities (that doesn't mean they're the same!!) then you're either not looking or you're confused. Either way, *personally* I find those people's contribution to the conversation pointless, and *personally* would not like them to crowd the conversation. I had only hoped that they would take that piece of information and simply stay out of the conversation at their own will, but I know I can't stop them against their will. If I had suggested they weren't *allowed* to contribute I would be nuts, and wrong.

Am I arguing with people who say they don't have *similarities* because clearly they do. Some people have entered the conversation acknowledging them, others have entered the conversation denying them. I get it if you would never use them in the same situation, but that doesnt mean they don't have some common important attributes. There are literally people saying they don't have common attributes at all, and those are the people who I can't help but say "you're wrong" to.

Alrighty then.

I'll say to you that Disagreement is not the same as Disrespect.

You have yourself a good day and enjoy the forums.

A-Jay

J Francho reply :

I rarely think about what I throw as much as what got bit. It's why I throw a black senko to the fish that just missed my white popper. Whether the fish thinks it's the bait it injured or not matters little. I just culled into the money, while you're deciding whether to throw a trap or a chatterbait.

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/6/2015 at 11:52 PM, J Francho said:
I rarely think about what I throw as much as what got bit. It's why I throw a black senko to the fish that just missed my white popper. Whether the fish thinks it's the bait it injured or not matters little. I just culled into the money, while you're deciding whether to throw a trap or a chatterbait.

So you don't get as stoked on the theory of why it works as I do. Fine. Have fun "culling into the money" while I have fun thinking and learning about lure theory.

Have you noticed that a white senko fails in that situation, or do you just throw black because you usually use black senkos?

K_Mac reply :

Jmoore020965 the problem many of us are having is that you've come to some nontraditional conclusions based on your limited experience, and you are unwilling to accept any input that doesn't support them. You acknowledge that there is great wisdom and experience on this site, yet seem only interested in convincing us that you've discovered a simple truth that we've managed to miss.

The truth is sometimes bass will crush a rattltrap and not take a second look at a chatterbait. They will sometimes kill a deep diving crank and ignore anything else. There are other times when a chatterbait over grass will out produce anything else, or a slow rolled spinnerbait or chatterbait will work better than a crank. The point is many of us have spent thousands of hours on the water to try to figure this out. If you want to discuss these things we are happy to do so. If you are here to teach us about things you think you know, good luck.

jmoore020965 reply :

On 8/7/2015 at 12:30 AM, K_Mac said:

Jmoore020965 the problem many of us are having is that you've come to some nontraditional conclusions based on your limited experience, and you are unwilling to accept any input that doesn't support them. You acknowledge that there is great wisdom and experience on this site, yet seem only interested in convincing us that you've discovered a simple truth that we've managed to miss.

The truth is sometimes bass will crush a rattltrap and not take a second look at a chatterbait. They will sometimes kill a deep diving crank and ignore anything else. There are other times when a chatterbait over grass will out produce anything else, or a slow rolled spinnerbait or chatterbait will work better than a crank. The point is many of us have spent thousands of hours on the water to try to figure this out. If you want to discuss these things we are happy to do so. If you are here to teach us about things you think you know, good luck.

Look- I never said they were the same bait and I never said they would work in the same situations. I just *want to know *how they are different*, and *what specific situations* one would excel over the other.

I have gotten a few helpful answers, but the vast majority have answered the questions like this-

Q:How are they different?

A:Everything

Q:When would you use one over the other?

A:In different situations

Logan S reply :

On 8/7/2015 at 12:40 AM, jmoore020965 said:

Look- I never said they were the same bait and I never said they would work in the same situations. I just *want to know *how they are different*, and *what specific situations* one would excel over the other.

I have gotten a few helpful answers, but the vast majority have answered the questions like this-

Q:How are they different?

A:Everything

Q:When would you use one over the other?

A:In different situations

K_Mac reply :

On 8/7/2015 at 12:40 AM, jmoore020965 said:

Look- I never said they were the same bait and I never said they would work in the same situations. I just *want to know *how they are different*, and *what specific situations* one would excel over the other.

I have gotten a few helpful answers, but the vast majority have answered the questions like this-

Q:How are they different?

A:Everything

Q:When would you use one over the other?

A:In different situations

buzzed bait reply :

well as far as what i think was your original question.... i would still use "regular" cranks in addition to chatterbaits or traps for a few reasons. Most importantly for me is that i have ZERO floating/suspending chatterbaits or lipless cranks.... important for me when trying to work the bait more slowly and in heavier cover.... not to mention i can really dial in my depths depending on whether i use a squarebill, medium diver or deep diver.

Senko lover reply :

jmoore020965, I'm expecting this thread to get locked pretty soon. So, I have an idea. If none of us can help you with this topic, and you're so frustrated with our responses, how 'bout just go out and test it for yourself? I love testing things on the water, it makes my day so much more fun. I'd love to hear what you find about throwing one vs. the other.

Good luck with your search.

And BTW: At BR we're all about learning and sharing knowledge. Please don't let the way this thread has gone shape your view of our forums. A little more openmindedness to your approach, and you'll learn a ton.

I've just started to throw chatterbaits myself, and am gaining confidence in them. I prefer them to Rat'LTraps, in fact, the only time I throw Rat'LTraps is in early spring, where a red lipless crankbait kills them, in fall, and occasionally for night fishing. Once in a blue moon, I'll pull them out. But I fish chatterbaits more.

It's not a clearcut answer, I've just found that lipless crankbaits work better in some scenarios and chatterbaits work best overall.

With lipped crankbaits, they are a specific depth lure for me. Not a count down, all depths type of bait: I throw them to target a specific span of water and I throw different ones depending on conditions and cover in the area.

And here's one for the thread: When would you throw a swim jig vs. a chatterbait?

Logan S reply :

ETA...Irrelevant now.

Edited August 7, 2015 by Stratos20SS

jmoore020965 reply :

I was honestly just being silly and trying to emphasize how grateful I was that you took the time to answer the question. I didn't expect a thankful dirty joke to offend the person I was thanking.

jmoore020965 reply :

So in your experience the chatterbait and rattle trap will both excel in grass, but the crank will excel in any cover. Any theories as to why? Also, any theories as to why the trap stops working for you after early spring but the chatterbait stays strong?

poisonokie reply :

On 8/5/2015 at 9:42 PM, gardnerjigman said:
I don't think they are even on the same spectrum of techniques.

no, and I don't think you should be so quick to discount cranks. I'll throw a crankbait before a trap or chatterbait any day. You can stir up the bottom with them or knock them around on structure and still float them over snags. They are very versatile and shouldn't be compared to substituted with lipless cranks

Catt reply :

How are they different?

Chatterbaits attracts bass by vibration, side to side motion of the skirt and/or trailer.

Rat-L-Traps attracts bass by vibration & sound

What specific situation would one excell over the other?

Rat-L-Traps are extremely deadly in the coldest waters of winter.

NathanW reply :

JMoore when you get good at fishing you are going to look back at this post in embarrassment. What are the advantages of a crankbait?

It gets into the strike zone quickly and stays in the strikezone. The faster you reel the better it stays down. At depths greater than like 5 foot a Trap or jig will not stay on the bottom efficiently. A crankbait deflects off of bottom cover and structure much better than a trap and better than a bladed jig in most cases. A crankbait can be fished at depths of up to 20 foot EFFICIENTLY. Yes you can cast out a blade, sew a quilt while while you are waiting it to get to the bottom, and then SLOWLY reel it back to the boat in a way that probably eliminates any action the blade might have. A crankbait is easier to unsnag from rock and most brush then either lure when fishing at depth. A Crankbait stirs up the bottom and attracts fish.

I am sure there are other advantages that I am missing but its funny that the one you listed probably is the least relevant to anyone who is any good a cranking.

blckshirt98 reply :

On 8/7/2015 at 2:56 AM, NathanW said:

It gets into the strike zone quickly and stays in the strikezone. The faster you reel the better it stays down. At depths greater than like 5 foot a Trap or jig will not stay on the bottom efficiently. A crankbait deflects off of bottom cover and structure much better than a trap and better than a bladed jig in most cases. A crankbait can be fished at depths of up to 20 foot EFFICIENTLY. Yes you can cast out a blade, sew a quilt while while you are waiting it to get to the bottom, and then SLOWLY reel it back to the boat in a way that probably eliminates any action the blade might have. A crankbait is easier to unsnag from rock and most brush then either lure when fishing at depth. A Crankbait stirs up the bottom and attracts fish.

If you're unsure of the differences just get a lipless, a chatterbait, and a few cranks (squarebill, medium diver, deep diver) and reel them in at various speeds. I don't have the most experience here with all of the baits but from what I've noticed(in broad general terms) in the limited time I've thrown all three -

Chatterbait:

Slow Reel - can be fished slower than lipless/billed cranks and maintain it's vibration/bait integrity. The skirt will still pulse, the trailer will still move, the vibration element will still vibrate. Can maintain a set depth in the water column by figuring out how fast you need to reel on your setup to keep it at a desired depth without having it rise/fall in the water column. Can fish different depths by finding it's fall rate and counting down until it hits the desired depth.

Fast Reel - Will basically go in a straight line to your rod tip, if you reel it fast enough you can skim it just under the surface or even on the surface as a topwater/buzzbait of sorts.

No Reel/Kill The Bait - sinks, and depending on the make/model may have an attractive fall with a fluttering blade.

"Jigging/Pulling" the rod - you can make the chatterbait do neat things either off the bottom or mid swim.

I think the chatterbait is the most versatile of the three as you can fish it effectively at different speeds and different depths, it's still appealing on the fall, you can bounce it off the bottom. It's somewhat weedless as there's no dangling treble hooks to hang up.

Lipless Crank (RatLTrap, Aruka Shad, LV500):

Slow Reel - Maintains depth, keeps a nice tight flickering side to side action.

Fast Reel - Maintains depth, just faster, keeps a nice tight flickering side to side action.

No Reel/Kill The Bait - sinks, generally to get it to the bottom or to desired depth.

"Jigging/Pulling" the rod - can rip it off the bottom and let it fall down.

A lipless crank I think of using to mostly burn through the water after you find the depth you want, whether it's targeting suspended bass or working weedlines/tops of grass, etc. More of a searchbait where you can control speed/depth/etc.

Billed Crankbait (squarebill vs deep dive vs etc such a big variation and another subject altogether):

Slow Reel - Maintains depth. Wider wobble than a lipless, with some cranks designed to have a very wide/erratic scattering baitfish pattern.

Fast Reel - Maintains depth and action of the slow reel, just faster.

No Reel/Kill The Bait - Floats to the surface. Depth is controlled basically by the bill of the bait, and the bait is meant to dive. You can control the speed of the retrieve but depth is engineered into the lure.

"Jigging/Pulling" the rod - Doesn't do much.

Lipped crankbaits, like squarebills, will be better to bounce off or near structure, like rocks and stumps. Or if you want something to stay in contact on the bottom and stir up a lot of commotion you can get something with a larger lip and crank it so the plastic lip is digging into the bottom and stirring up dirt/sand/etc as you pull it in. Lipped crankbaits have been made to do a million things but they all (as far as I know) start in the floating position and are designed to dive on the reel in, something a chatterbait or lipless won't do.

Kind of a generic rushed post, maybe other people can chime in and add some better details.

gardnerjigman reply :

On 8/7/2015 at 2:24 AM, poisonokie said:
no, and I don't think you should be so quick to discount cranks. I'll throw a crankbait before a trap or chatterbait any day. You can stir up the bottom with them or knock them around on structure and still float them over snags. They are very versatile and shouldn't be compared to substituted with lipless cranks

Ease up and put your grown up pants back on. I didn't do punt cranks at all. We destroyed smallmouth yesterday and my number 1 bait was a 1.0 squarebill.

I simply said that they are nowhere near the same bait. That's my opinion, and seems most everyone else's. I don't care what you throw more, like more etc, my point is they aren't the same. Comparing the two is apples to oranges.

I find the OP, and 95% of his replies to be extremely condescending, and that sucks for him. Loads of information on this forum, with great people, but if say his experience will be bleak as long as he acts like the only brain in the room.

Gardnerjigman out...

A-Jay reply :

A-Jay

J Francho reply :

That clown is totally photoshop'd.

poisonokie reply :

On 8/8/2015 at 5:08 AM, gardnerjigman said:

Ease up and put your grown up pants back on. I didn't do punt cranks at all. We destroyed smallmouth yesterday and my number 1 bait was a 1.0 squarebill.

I simply said that they are nowhere near the same bait. That's my opinion, and seems most everyone else's. I don't care what you throw more, like more etc, my point is they aren't the same. Comparing the two is apples to oranges.

I find the OP, and 95% of his replies to be extremely condescending, and that sucks for him. Loads of information on this forum, with great people, but if say his experience will be bleak as long as he acts like the only brain in the room.

Gardnerjigman out...

i was agreeing with you.

massrob reply :

Wow that got out of control quickly. Haha fun read.

Senko lover reply :

On 8/8/2015 at 6:54 AM, J Francho said:
That clown is totally photoshop'd.

Didn't you know, that's AJay underneath all that paint?

MichBassMan reply :

Chuckling at myself here, I can't believe I read this whole thing.

desmobob reply :

On 8/9/2015 at 4:46 AM, MichBassMan said:
Chuckling at myself here, I can't believe I read this whole thing.

+1. Somebody put this thread out of its misery! ;-)

Tight lines,

Bob

Glenn reply :

And scene...

6120

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