Chatterbait is a specific type of bladed jig that is a very popular bass fishing lure. It attracts bass in the water in any kind of environment.
Bass behaves differently in a different season so chatter bait is only a versatile lure that can be worked in different ways. They create enough vibration in the water to attract bass and their color provides a great flash to spark an aggressive bass.
Chatterbait has a blade out in front and when the blade runs through the water, the blade moves right and left so it creates vibration and covers enough water. Sometimes a chatter bait is rolled like a spinnerbait.
Tips and Guides on How to Fish a Chatterbaits
There are tactics to fish chatter bait in a different season. In this article, we will cover all of that.
The Best Chatterbait Setup
Best Rod for Chatterbait
The chatter bait rod should have a medium or heavy power rating. If you have to fish chatter bait in thick weed beds then the rod should have enough power and action.
Also if you are using single hooks and ¾ ounce chatter bait, choose a fast action rod. For deep and open water fishing, choose a moderate action rod. For large chatter bait or a chatter bait with a big trailer, use a bladed jig rod that has moderate action.
A 7-foot medium action rod is absolutely perfect for chatter bait. The rod could be made from glass or graphite.
Chatterbait Reel and Line
6,8 to 1 reel is perfect to slow line the bait but burning it will be difficult. Use a 17-pound fluorocarbon line to put a lot of pressure on the fish. It is very effective in clear water. For stained or dirty water, use a 30 lb braided line.
Chatterbait Weight
A ½ oz chatter bait is best for keep it down in the water. They can go 6 to 8 feet deep and move freely. 3/8 or ¼ oz chatter baits are best for down in the grass. They can ride at least 10 feet deep.
Chatterbait Color
Different chatter bait color works in a different season. Although the color also depends on the setting. The color should be realistic that presents effectively to the bass. Black and blue color skirt of chatter bait work great in low light and murky water.
In the spring or when the sky is cloudy, this color reflects very well. It is good for the staple of bass fishing. Green pumpkin is a versatile color that you can use all year round. Green pumpkin contrast with the dark green trailer so it looks very natural.
Bluegill bait is best for catching largemouth fish. For cool water, red crawfish works great with the red color scheme. Pearl swimbait is very effective in summer. Do not miss to throw the chatter bait when you see any shad flickering on the water.
Chatterbait Trailer
Chatterbait is very easy lures to use. There is some popular chatter bait trailer that works very effectively in fishing. Some of them are,
Z man Jackhammer Chatterbait: This is an expensive trailer but very effective. It has a custom hook so the action will be right and the fish will staying on. It also has a cover made from stainless steel. When the bass hits the trailer, it vibrates continuously but does not impede the action. The trailer does not have much resistance and does not drag much on the water.
Strike King Rage Blade: It’s made from heavy wire and the blade is connected to the weight. The head is integrated so it can roll slowly at a lower depth. If you use a heavy medium rod, then this trailer is for you to work best.
13 Fishing the Jerk: This is a soft jerk bait that enhances the moving power and can be rigged weightless on the hook. It can also be used in swim jig, vibrating jig, and many more.
Split Tail Grubs: This trailer added some length on the jig so the action will be more effective than before. The presentation will be best in clear water and vegetation because it sparks through the grass. The beginners should use this trailer.
Flukes: This trailer works great in all the season especially when the bass is on shad. It has a great gliding action to make the shad flicker on the surface.
When Should You Throw a Chatterbait?
You can fish chatter bait at any place but rocky and brush areas should be avoided. They are effective in a covered area. Some of the best place when you should throw chatter baits are,
Shell Bed
Schools of bass are mostly heading this area in the summer. Just throw a chatter bait at the bottom so it can ride in the bed sell. Continue the process until the fish hit it.
Docks
If you see any kind of grass around the dock, throw the chatter bait on there as the bass will be nearby feeding and you should not miss the chance. Do not use a swimbait style trailer to keep the chatter bait under the docks. The bladed jig should be at the top of the water.
In Weeds and Grass
Chatterbait is easily sliding at the vegetation. Use a single hook and throw them to catch spinners or crankbaits. Even if the grass is 6 feet long, the chatter bait can be fish in the top.
Wood Target
This is the best area for laydowns and stumps. The bladed jig works great without snagging here. Dirty and clear water is another good place to throw the bladed jig.
Chatterbait Fishing Techniques
Bass is mostly active in shallow water. Although they are very predictable all year round, but chatter bait is very effective for them. There are some techniques you can apply to find bass. Such as,
- Slow Rolling: Slow rolling means you have to keep the bait down in the water and reel the bait as slowly as possible. In this way, the blade will vibrates ups and downs, left to right so the bass will react to it. See the chatter bait where it running. If it is close to the surface, use the havier jig and put a little big action so you can retrieve it softly. Just roll them around the rock pile or weed bed.
- Ripping: Bass sometimes are lazy to hit the bait. They just walk, see, and do not react to it. In this situation, you can try the ripping. Just rel the chatter baits slowly to take it at the top of the cover. This slow movement will attract the bass when they see bait at the top of the grass. The bait will work almost the same as lipless crankbait.
- Burning: Burning means the rolling will be fast so reel the chatter bait quickly so the blade could vibrate more under the water. Although the strike could be violent.
- Pop and Reel: Wait for some time so the lure can sink at the bottom. Now pop it quickly with your rod and retrieve it slowly. Repeat this technique couple of times. Using craw trailers will be effective here.
- Hopping the Bottom: Slowly throw the chatter bait on the water so it can hops or jumps. When the bass is in deep water, this technique will attract them. Also, it is effective in any season.
- Match the Hatch: Choose natural color lures for clear water and bright color for dirty water. It should be matched with the hatch otherwise bass will know it a trap.
- Shaking: Shake your rod ups and downs and retrieve slowly so the jig can move all around and jump erratically. If the chatter bait moves at the tall grass, bass will surely go for it.
How to Fish a Chatterbait in Summer
Fishing chatter bait in the summer is quite easy. They are an outstanding bait for summer fishing and you can use them in any location. In the summer, the bass is most active so when you throw the chatterbot, they won’t take much time to hit it. If you are in shallow water, their vibration attracts fishes to come to the place and hit.
The bait presentation should be natural and before the cast, notice fish behavior. First, use a long trailer to see if the bass hit the bait. If they are not, then change the trailer and use a short version of it. If the trailer does not work, then do no use trailer.
Z man chatter bait is versatile lures so you can use it in the summer. It can swim side to side, crawl slowly, ripped or burn at the bottom or just below the surface, which is very effective in summer fishing. Use ¼ oz shad/blue or green/pumpkin chatter bait and retrieve fast when the fish behaves aggressively.
But if they are inactive, use a slow retrieve. Cast near to any vegetation and green healthy weed area. Bass are love to stay in those areas in the summer. When the chatter bait moving on the grass, fish will attack as soon as they can. Just shake it and pause.
How to Fish a Chatterbait in Cold Weather
In winter, use a big bulky plastic chatter bait because catching fish in the winter will be tricky. When the water temperatures decrease, fishes go to the deeper water. Bulkier chatter bait has a lot of sensitive moving areas so it can go slow but with a lot of action.
It will be better if you trim half of the skirt so it won’t create much tension in the water. Just slowly move it to see its natural action that creates the blade of chatter bait.
First of all, look for baitfish in the water because you will find big fish near the baitfish. If the area is not icy, look for the fish at least 12 feet deep.
The fish has a different behavior pattern. Look for the area that has structure, or another cover because fish use those areas for the ambush. In winter, mimicking a craw or bluegill will be dark and easily hide in the grass so the darker color won’t be a problem.
The bait presentation should be matched with the thinner line so it can go deeper in the water and won’t create any water resistance. Before inserting it in the hook, you can remove one side of the arm so it will get a good style and natural body roll.
If you want to create more sensitivity, bend the blade around the chatter bait. It helps to lift slowly. If you want to make a long cast, check the line if it is slow down instantly. This way it can contact the bottom and the bait will sink progressively.
How to Fish a Chatterbait in the Spring
After the winter season, water temperature increases, and fish start to leave the deeper area. In the spring, the fish again strike aggressively. Go to the shallow water and choose the area of submerging wood and rook. Bass tends to rest themself in those areas. Use 3/8 ounce chatter bait and 4-inch trailer to get at least 3.1/2 pound bass. This way chatter bait will retrieve slowly and swim over the bottom. The color selection should be also accurate and you will get successful days on the water. ¼ ounce chatter bait also works great in the spring.
How to Tie on a Chatterbait
Chatterbait has some little trailer on it that you can put something in there. Use a paddle tail swimbait on the trailer. You do not have to rip it or cut it, just insert it there. It will make a difference in action and strikes.
Just rip it off and run it into the trailer. Tying the Palomar knot is also easy. Just insert it in the chatter bait and tie it around. Run it one time then run it back and make a loop and cover it through the line.
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