Chatterbaits, what's the difference?
- Neil Ferris
- Oct 10, 2019
- 5 min read
The bladed jig, better known as the chatterbait, has gained a lot of momentum in the fishing world the last couple of years with no signs of slowing down. It has become a difference maker for me and has helped me tremendously over the last year. I had heard of a chatterbait, and I owned a couple, not really knowing what I had in my hand. I just thought that it was a different version of a spinnerbait, boy was I wrong.
The chatterbait is fished very much like a spinnerbait, but the effect and action that it gives is much different than that of a spinnerbait. A spinnerbait's blades spin, which gives it a nice flash as it cuts through the water column. A chatterbait's blade vibrates which causes the whole bait to vibrate a ton. This helps the chatterbait excel in dirty water when fish are using their senses to really key in on their food. I think this action drives fish wild at all times, and can really trigger that big bass to eat.
This spring, I really focused on refining my springtime fishing techniques. I definitely preferred flipping and pitching for that big bite, but knew that I had to become a more versatile angler. I did a ton of research over the winter about springtime fishing tips. The two main things I found that I was interested in was spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. So, I went to my local tackle store and stocked up on both. I got a couple different colors and looked for several trailer options and colors. I ended up deciding on a Zoom Super Fluke and Strike King Rage Twin Tail Menace. I ended up getting a lot of white trailers because of the color of bait in our area. I tied on a chartreuse and white chatterbait with the Twin Tail Menace on the back, and I was hesitant at first. It looked awfully big for early spring. But, I decided I would try it. I waited for the thaw and the first day that I could get out I did. I remember it was only like 45 degrees and the water had to have been pretty close to that as well. I picked up that chatterbait and started making long casts along the bank where I knew there was grass and brush. About 20 minutes in I was starting to get frustrated. But, I knew that it would take time. A few casts later I got hooked up, and I could tell that it was a good sized one. I got it in and it was a gorgeous fish! Just look at this beauty!
This fish weighed in just over three pounds. I ended up catching just one more that day that was about a pound and a half. I was very excited when I got home. Man that was a good fish. I went back out a day or two later and ended up hooking into my personal best at the time. A five pound, thirteen ounce beauty. I was ecstatic. The thing I learned this spring was slower retrieve, a little bigger profile, and the right combination will lead to bigger fish, maybe not as many bites, but the bites you get will be nice. Shortly after this, I went back to the tackle store and stocked up on all things chatterbait for the upcoming fall and next spring. The fall bite is finally here and I am going fishing in the morning. I have a chatterbait ready to go hoping for the same results I had this spring.
A lot of tips I have gotten from other fisherman is that the chatterbait is also money in the fall. The cooler water temps and the mode that the fish are in really make this bait a go to. The bass are feeding trying to get ready for winter and the profile and action of the chatterbait can really put those fish in a feeding frenzy. I generally make long casts where I know there is grass and brush for the fish to hide in and use a nice slow retrieve. Another big thing I learned this spring is to play around with the depth you run your chatterbait. If you aren't getting any strikes, let your chatterbait sink a little longer before you start your retrieve. If you can find what profile the fish want, the color, and the depth where they are sitting you will be in the money. Patience is key as well, like I said you may see your number of bites go down but your quality of fish will go up.
There are several different fishing brands out there that have chatterbaits, but my go to is the Z-Man chatterbait. I use the Z-Man Chatterbait exclusively for my chatterbaits and absolutely love the results. Z-Man offers many styles of the chatterbait from minis, Micro, the Freedom, but the three that I heard used the most, including myself, are the original, project Z, and the Jack Hammer. The original is just their original chatterbait that they have been selling for some time. I use these a lot and love them. They work well and get the job done. The project Z is a step up from the original. The project Z has a little longer skirt, similar to that of the Rip Jaw Lures Summer Shad Series Spinnerbait, giving it a great shad series profile. It also has a little nice components making up the bait. The final one is the Jack Hammer. This is the most expensive style of chatterbait, and a lot of people have been talking about whether it is worth it or not. The Jack Hammer is the highest quality chatterbait that Z-Man has and was one of the most anticipated baits to hit the market. They have upgraded hooks, skirts, and more to help it hook more fish. Is it worth it? I am under the belief that any bait is worth it when thrown in the right time with the right combination. I think the chatterbait is one of the most valuable baits out there and I am willing to pay what I need to because I have seen the results myself.
To throw my chatterbaits I use an Enigma Atomic 29 Cranking Series Rod in 7'4 Medium Heavy. This give me the ability to make those long casts, have a good back bone to hook those fish, but also gives me the right taper to learn into the hook set without ripping the bait out of their mouth. I use a 6.6:1 Enigma E-CAST EC-150 Baitcasting reel. This helps me keep that retrieve at the right pace without fishing it too fast. I use 15 pound P-Line Floroclear line, I like the floroclear cause its tough enough to go through the brush, hook the big fish, and it also is clear helping with the presentation. I definitely recommend P-Line for all your fishing set ups.
One of the main things that has help me is leaning into the hookset rather than a big hookset. This is key because it keeps your from pulling the bait out of the fish's mouth. When I feel the pressure of a bite I just lean and pull my hands back sinking that hook in. You will hook a high number of fishing doing that. The feeling is very much like a swimbait, the fish are going to come smash this bait, so don't give a giant hookset.
Below I will put links for all the equipment we talked about so you guys can find it. Get out there and try a chatterbait this fall! You won't regret it!
Enigma Atomic 29 Cranking Series Rods:
Enigma E-CAST EC-150 Baitcasting Reel:
P-Line Floroclear:
Z-Man Chatterbaits:
Jack Hammer- https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z-Man_Evergreen_Chatterbait_Jack_Hammer/descpage-ZEJACKX.html
Get them in bulk at Tournament Tackle!!
Jack Hammer (Single)- https://www.tournamenttackle.com/Z-Man-Chatterbait-Jack-Hammer?manufacturer_id=39
Strike King Twin Tail Menace Grub (Trailer): https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Rage_Twin_Tail_Menace_Grub_8pk/descpage-SKRTTMG.html
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