What Qualities make The Z-Man Jackhammer So Good ? 2024
ChrisD46 reply :
While the Z-Man Jackhammer is expensive ($16 - $18) - it is also very popular ... What are the qualities that make the Jackhammer so popular / so much better than other vibrating jig / chatterbaits ?
CroakHunter reply :
Quality hook and components, professional, Japanese and American social media, and weekend warrior hype.
fishwizzard reply :
The blade starts up faster the any of the other chatterbait I have tried. Whether that is important enough to justify the cost is subjective.
MassYak85 reply :
On 4/6/2019 at 11:18 PM, fishwizzard said:The blade starts up faster the any of the other chatterbait I have tried. Whether that is important enough to justify the cost is subjective.
This is the major thing I keep hearing. I've never used one but I can see the value in having the bets blade start-up, especially fishing slow, banging off cover, or lifting it off the bottom.
ww2farmer reply :
The center of balance on the head is key too. It stays down better than most. Nothing is more infuriating to me than a bladed jig that rises.....Strike King Rage blade I'm talking to you.
A-Jay reply :
A-Jay
aatwofour reply :
Like everbody else has already said. It doesn’t rise on you, great hook, great bait keeper, and it has a hand tied skirt. Still shouldn’t be $16 a piece though
Munkin reply :
On 4/6/2019 at 10:37 PM, CroakHunter said:Quality hook and components, professional, Japanese and American social media, and weekend warrior hype.
Agreed, still don't think it is worth what they charge but they do use good components.
Allen
Revival reply :
It makes your whole body vibrate...haha.
My friend just got his in, used it for the first time and caught 4. He is now a believer.
Bluebasser86 reply :
The pros tell you they are.
A-Jay reply :
On 4/7/2019 at 4:13 AM, Bluebasser86 said:The pros tell you they are.
Bass are doing a decent job as well.
At least for me.
A-Jay
webertime reply :
Every one I have hunts amazingly right out of the pack.
WVU-SCPA reply :
As I watch it run through the water today, I kept saying I'd eat that. The bass however did not.
As mentioned above, it starts on the first crank. If you get one compare it to others by starting your retrieve with a rod pump, you will notice a difference.
The value depends on the person.
detroit1 reply :
I aint buying it..(the instant start "advantage") and think there is something else, maybe the sound the blade makes crashing the head, or something. Bladed jigs (for me anyways) are a bait I throw past my target. If it takes 1 second to start thumpin'...I don't care. $10 would be more than I will pay for any bladed jig.
Bluebasser86 reply :
The fast start thing is silly unless the bass are eating it the instant it hits the water. I think the fact it stays down all depends on how and where you use it. I bend the blades on my baits to make them rise so I can fish them extremely slowly and in very shallow water without burning them. Very rarely am I fishing one deeper than 5' so I don't know if they'd even be of use for me if I'd have to fish it really fast to keep it off the bottom.
The bait has a quality hook, tied skirt, and wire bait keeper. I've never seen one in person in the water, only ever seen one out of the package. Just don't think I could get myself to spend that much on a bladed jig. Maybe I'll find one sometime to play with to see what the hype is about.
fishwizzard reply :
The blade start up matters if you yo-yo the lure or fish it on the bottom where it wil be constantly hitting cover and stopping. On a stright retrieve in open water it matters less.
Last BF I bought a pair if Jackhammers, a pair if Project-Zs, and a pair of Elites. I took them out with some Picassos and some football head/splitring chatters I already had. The Elites are cery very close to the Jackhammers and even had a wire-tied skirt, but I believe they moved to a plastic hub skirt on them. The JH would consistanly start up faster then the Elite but not by much. Both the JH and the Elite were way faster and more reliable then the rest.
My goal was to find a single chatter to use for everything but I think I am going to settle for two. The Football/Splitring ones have the worst start up and will “stall” if muck or grass fouls the connection, but they hunt very nicley and have by far the most powerful vibrations. I will use them for rocky bottoms where I want the improved deection and muddy water where I want max commotion. The second will be either the Jackhammer or the Elite, but further testing is needed to pick one over the other.
Logan S reply :
On 4/7/2019 at 12:29 PM, Bluebasser86 said:The fast start thing is silly unless the bass are eating it the instant it hits the water.
The fast starting blade is critical when you are fishing in/thru/around heavy grass, where you're constantly ripping or popping it free from grass. You'll have 10+ starts and stops on each cast many times, so starting up quick is really important. Fish often eat it right as you pop it free, so having it start back up right away gets more bites (IMO)....Even if it only takes a foot to get another chatter thumping again, that foot might take it out of the strike zone.
Depends on how/where you fish as to how important that fast start is. Around here, 90% of my chatterbait fishing is in 4' or less with heavy grass (tidal rivers) so it's critical for my fishing.
I've found that the JackHammer does seem to run deeper than most other models for the same weight...For me personally that means I don't use it as much since I'm usually fishing shallow, but it is a nice quality to have. The quality of construction is top notch. I don't think it's terribly overpriced for what you're getting, but there are other options that are also very good for cheaper.
iabass8 reply :
No idea why you're paying 16+$ for these. You can find them for $10.50-12$ from a ton of different places every day.
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/7/2019 at 10:46 PM, iabass8 said:No idea why you're paying 16+$ for these. You can find them for $10.50-12$ from a ton of different places every day.
Where at?
iabass8 reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 12:01 AM, NorthernBasser said:Where at?
All over. Easy to find on Google. If you want to buy a dozen+ at a time, you can get them on a few JDM sites for 9.90 and free shipping if you get enough. Plus, the JDM jackhammer has a ton more colors.
detroit1 reply :
Whatever works for you guys. I see no advantage for a bladed jig over a swim jig, swimbait, rattle or crank,or spinnerbait for shallow, weedy areas. Maybe for muddy water? Don't ring the bait monkey's bell...
NorthernBasser reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 1:39 AM, detroit1 said:Whatever works for you guys. I see no advantage for a bladed jig over a swim jig, swimbait, rattle or crank,or spinnerbait for shallow, weedy areas. Maybe for muddy water? Don't ring the bait monkey's bell...
punch reply :
They are really good at multiplying in my tackle box. I think I have 21 now.. it's best not to count them though.
On 4/8/2019 at 12:30 AM, iabass8 said:All over. Easy to find on Google. If you want to buy a dozen+ at a time, you can get them on a few JDM sites for 9.90 and free shipping if you get enough. Plus, the JDM jackhammer has a ton more colors.
Why do the JDM Models get the awesome gold blades?!
LxVE Bassin reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 2:38 AM, punch said:They are really good at multiplying in my tackle box. I think I have 21 now.. it's best not to count them though.
Why do the JDM Models get the awesome gold blades?!
I’m right behind you as I have 17 of them.
NorthernBasser reply :
I looked around with not much luck. Do you guys have a specific site you get these from for so cheap? I found a few but selection was pretty much one size with one or two colors.
Thanks.
Fishin Dad reply :
I looked and found two places. One sold them for $11.39, but couldn’t find much for shipping info. I may look again sometime and order a dozen and split em with my tourney partner.
Glaucus reply :
When I was at Bass Pro recently I saw them for $20 and audibly laughed. What a joke.
Dvo509 reply :
I just got bit by the monkey and bought a couple last week. Went with green pumpkin and black&blue. Also bought the Zako trailers from Yamamoto in the same colors. I had refrained from ordering any until they were right in my face and in my hands at our local outdoor show. I hope it was worth it.
Koz reply :
Personally, I'd have a hard time spending $20 on a chatterbait, especially since the original Z-Man chatterbait or the Elite just kill it in the places I fish.
The other evening I fished a nasty looking lagoon with chocolate milk water and tons of thick algae along the shoreline. The water was so stained that it obscure lures running at the surface. My favorite chatterbait combo is a green pumpkin chatterbait with a Havoc Pit Boss Big Texan trailer. In just over an hour I landed 2 5 pounders, a 4 pounder, and two just under 3 pounds plus a smaller one that flipped off. The only reason I stopped fishing that evening was because an aggressive gator took notice and chased me up the bank.
@$#&! also chased me out the next day after landing another one within the first few casts. I fished elsewhere for a few hours and when I came back the gator was still camped out there.
Anyway, as good as the Jackhammer may be I doubt it catches me more fish than the original or the Elite.
TBAG reply :
Off topic but what setup do you throw these on? I picked up a couple.
punch reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 8:52 PM, TBAG said:Off topic but what setup do you throw these on? I picked up a couple.
Basically anything you toss a spinnerbait on will work.
However there's an entire glass vs graphite debate for chatterbaits with plenty of corresponding threads.
TBAG reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 9:03 PM, punch said:Basically anything you toss a spinnerbait on will work.
However there's an entire glass vs graphite debate for chatterbaits with plenty of corresponding threads.
Cool, so my Dobyns 734c would work ok?
snake95 reply :
I'm a weekend warrior and still comparing a range of different bladed jigs.
No question it is a high quality bait with great components. It performs as advertised. I can see how the quality justifies the cost.
I tried out the Project Z last fall and found it starts up pretty darn fast too, and seems to be really well made. It certainly catches bass! It did great for me fished slow with a craw trailer.
By no means am I a connoisseur of bladed jigs.
However, at this point, I'm not convinced that I really need to switch out the Project Z's for jackhammers based on performance.
Hi-Powered Red Neck reply :
I just recently started fishing chatter baits. I'm pretty old school when it comes to my tackle selection. Lipless cranks, square bills, deep diving cranks, spinner baits, top water stick baits, buzz baits, and Texas rigged worms. I'm not really a fan of jig fishing, simply because, it seems like they hang up more than any other lure. If I take a half dozen fishing I'm luck to bring 1 home, but they definitely have their place. With all that semi off topic stuff said. I was watching a U tube channel (that I won't advertise for) the topic was the chatter bait. These guys are very informative and thorough. The Jack Hammer was his hands down favorite but went on to say all the z man chatter baits where fantastic. Well after watching I decided to pick up some and added a new weapon to my arsenal. I started fishing almost exclusively with chatter baits post spawn 2017 thru that summer. Had to try and prefect my game with them. What a versatile lure the chatter bait is, burn it over the flats like a lipless, reel it through cover like a spinnerbait or a square bill, jig it, ect. After I thought I had mastered the bait is when I decided to bite the bullet and buy a few Jack hammers. All I'd fished at that point was Z man originals and elite series. I can say that the hammers do start up faster but only marginally. I can't say they catch more fish. I can also say it hurts my feelings more when I break one off. They are built with better components, thats a fact. Are they worth almost twice the price, thats a question you have to ask yourself. This sport is pretty unique, you don't have to be good at it to enjoy it. Anyone can out fish anyone on any given day. Of course the Pros know more tricks and secrets. But, on the right day a kid with a Spiderman pole and a tiny torpedo can bust KVD's butt. The point I'm trying so long windily make, is you can spend a little or a lot. In the end it boils down to what makes you happy and confident. If that expensive lure inspires confidence then go for it.
Hawkeye21 reply :
If anyone is paying more than $15 for Jackhammers then they are not doing a very good job of shopping around. They are easily the best chatterbait I have used. I really like the chatterbair custom from TW but the Jackhammer is better. Not only does it start vibrating right away, it also will continue vibrating at a very slow speed which is important this time of year with the cooler water temps.
Choporoz reply :
I put a couple Jackhammers on order, but haven't received then yet.
I was talking with someone not long ago who had dozens of them and had been talking with Davey Hite about some pretty technical details. One thing I was told (and also heard elsewhere) was that there's a risk to losing them unless..... I'm not sure what...either making sure a line tie doesn't start to open up...or a split ring 'issue'.....? ??? Sorry I don't remember specifics...but if anyone has suggestions about how to 'maintain' these, or what to pay attention to....I'd appreciate it...
Though it may not matter, because I'll likely lose them to snakeheads long before I get a hardware 'failure'
sully420 reply :
The jackhammer is a quality bait and very effective but for me it's not worth the price. The original chatterbait is effective for me and the price is right. I don't like the idea of feeding 15$ baits to pike and musky. The 4$ original gets the job done and I can afford to have all the colors and weights I need and still lose some to pike.
As far as running depth I use line test to control depth usually 12lb sunline for deeper presentations and 16lb for shallow fishing. Shallow cover I usually fish it on a 7' mh jig rod and deeper I use a 7'6" mh cranking rod.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 5/14/2019 at 1:58 AM, sully420 said:The jackhammer is a quality bait and very effective but for me it's not worth the price. The original chatterbait is effective for me and the price is right. I don't like the idea of feeding 15$ baits to pike and musky. The 4$ original gets the job done and I can afford to have all the colors and weights I need and still lose some to pike.
As far as running depth I use line test to control depth usually 12lb sunline for deeper presentations and 16lb for shallow fishing. Shallow cover I usually fish it on a 7' mh jig rod and deeper I use a 7'6" mh cranking rod.
*Not to get off topic but found it interesting that a move by pros includes fishing chatterbaits on parabolic cranking rods to enable the bass to get the chatterbait into their mouths better allowing that chatterbait lip to lay flat before setting the hook thus getting a better hook set . Too fast of a rod without that little time delay apparently gives a poorer hook set on a chatterbait versus a more parabolic rod action like those used for crank baits . If that's the case - then chatterbaits are more akin to crank baits than they are to spinner baits or swim jigs ?
BoatSquirrel reply :
On 5/14/2019 at 6:49 PM, ChrisD46 said:Not to get off topic but found it interesting that a move by pros includes fishing chatterbaits on parabolic cranking rods to enable the bass to get the chatterbait into their mouths better allowing that chatterbait lip to lay flat before setting the hook thus getting a better hook set . Too fast of a rod without that little time delay apparently gives a poorer hook set on a chatterbait versus a more parabolic rod action like those used for crank baits . If that's the case - then chatterbaits are more akin to crank baits than they are to spinner baits or swim jigs ?
Good eye, ChrisD. There is a lot to be learned from watching guys catch fish on tv for a living. All of your best pro chatterbait guys—Evers, Ish, Jordan Lee, BHite—when they set the hook, you can see they all fish a parabolic, crankbait type rod with the CB.
My #2 fishing partner gives a clinic on how to lose fish with a CB every time he throws one, and it starts with the wrong rod. There are MANY applications for a MH fast rod but a chatterbait is not one of them.
Dens228 reply :
On 5/14/2019 at 6:49 PM, ChrisD46 said:*Not to get off topic but found it interesting that a move by pros includes fishing chatterbaits on parabolic cranking rods to enable the bass to get the chatterbait into their mouths better allowing that chatterbait lip to lay flat before setting the hook thus getting a better hook set . Too fast of a rod without that little time delay apparently gives a poorer hook set on a chatterbait versus a more parabolic rod action like those used for crank baits . If that's the case - then chatterbaits are more akin to crank baits than they are to spinner baits or swim jigs ?
That's an interesting bit of info. I may have to try that the next time out.
Choporoz reply :
Too many variables to make absolutist statements about gear for any lures. The lures, conditions and style that I fish chatterbaits lends itself extremely well to MHF rods with braid. The only hits that I miss are those that don't commit until inside three feet from the boat. I cannot manage the grass and wood well with a rod any slower.
sully420 reply :
I definitely notice a difference between rods when fishing CB's. I feel like a cranking rod is the way to go. A parabolic rod allows the bait a more realistic action when ripping the bait free of grass. As far as missing bites I don't that plays into what rod you use I think it's just easier to keep bass pegged on a parabolic rod than a fast rod.
I think I'm going to try a CB with a brush guard when I fish it on my mh fast rod and see if the guard helps keep fish pegged. Mono line could also work well when fishing a CB on a fast rod.
Harold Scoggins reply :
I can't go near a Jack Hammer without ripping the stock skirt off, tying a ventilated skirt with flashabou on and adding a turbo blade.
FryDog62 reply :
I personally prefer the Project Z with weedguard myself. I do go fairly heavy (1/2 & 3/4 oz) but don’t think the PZ floats up quite as much as the Jackhammer..
L a r r y reply :
I've been using the ZMAN ELITE chatterbaits and I can say that I do not see a whole lot of difference in them and the Jackhammer. The elites are now coming with wire tied skirts, they've always had a painted blade (i've not had any of mine lose color) and they snap and hook are excellent quality. The elites are more expensive than the original at a price point of $6.99 at TW and the jackhammers are $15.99-17.99. The one difference that I can see is that the blade is a little closer to the head, which produces a clicking noise while retrieved. I've yet to notice that the "elite" rises on retrieves, as I can either burn it or slow roll it and it stays down.
JUST MY .00000002
microotter reply :
On 5/25/2019 at 12:26 AM, L a r r y said:I've been using the ZMAN ELITE chatterbaits and I can say that I do not see a whole lot of difference in them and the Jackhammer. The elites are now coming with wire tied skirts, they've always had a painted blade (i've not had any of mine lose color) and they snap and hook are excellent quality. The elites are more expensive than the original at a price point of $6.99 at TW and the jackhammers are $15.99-17.99. The one difference that I can see is that the blade is a little closer to the head, which produces a clicking noise while retrieved. I've yet to notice that the "elite" rises on retrieves, as I can either burn it or slow roll it and it stays down.
JUST MY .00000002
Have you tried the Z-Man Project Z?
L a r r y reply :
On 5/25/2019 at 12:50 AM, microotter said:Have you tried the Z-Man Project Z?
I have not. Looking at the bulk of the skirt material, it never tickled me to have a big bulky skirt on a chatterbait. As I am normally fishing one around grass/timber/rocks, the bulk I prefer is just a bigger trailer.
A-Jay reply :
On 4/6/2019 at 10:36 PM, ChrisD46 said:While the Z-Man Jackhammer is expensive ($16 - $18) - it is also very popular ... What are the qualities that make the Jackhammer so popular / so much better than other vibrating jig / chatterbaits ?
I'd have to say that this is my favorite quality of the Z-Man Evergreen Jackhammer . . . .
A-Jay
Burke reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 9:11 PM, TBAG said:Cool, so my Dobyns 734c would work ok?
Yup and Fish on !
NorthernBasser reply :
Funny story. So a few days ago I'm out throwing the Jackhammer. I finally bit the bullet and bought a few after getting them on a good deal from Overtons.
As I'm bringing it close to the boat, this pike rising up and latches on. It was about 30-32". For a split second I'm thinking "ok, does he have the line in his mouth. If I hook him is he taking the bait with him". Well, I noticed some of the line was in fact in his mouth, so I just sat there, not setting the hook. I didn't wanna lose the bait. He eventually spit it and swam off.
Anyhoo, the bass weren't interested in any other bait that day (jig, t-rig creatures, Keitech, spinnerbait, square bill, jerk, ned). But they were hammering the Jackhammer. Now, was it because it was a Jackhammer and not a cheaper chatterbait? Eh, who knows. But I do notice a difference in the two in build quality and how it fishes.
Dogface reply :
On 5/25/2019 at 10:59 PM, NorthernBasser said:Well, I noticed some of the line was in fact in his mouth, so I just sat that, not setting the hook. I didn't wanna lose the bait. He eventually spit it and swam off.
There is some self-control!!
NorthernBasser reply :
On 5/26/2019 at 5:10 AM, Dogface said:There is some self-control!!
Oh it was tough. That thing was FAT too.
JediAmoeba reply :
Cabelas is charging $21 a piece for these bad boys. That's ridiculous for a jig with a blade.
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