Hey man, something I've learned is if your fishing the 1/2 oz around wook and or Rock if you change the trailer from the swimbait style bait to craw style bait such as a rage craw it helps tremendously in helping me stay un snagged. The two arms helps the chatter bait from rolling in its side and keeps the bait running straight. Just my 2 cents worth. Thanks for all the videos. Stay safe out there on and off the water. Semper Fi from an old Marine
Yea using a craw style that has a flat body really helps it from rolling on it side. And the slobberknocker is the best in wood imo.. and learned last weekend it seems like the thundercricket goes through rip rap much better because it's pivoting head let's the head just go up and over rocks rather than getting pinned on it
I went from 2 seasons ago never catching a fish on a chatterbait, to it being a total confidence bait for me now. I forced myself to use it more late 21 and early 22 and now it's a go to bait for me
Same! I’ve catch fish here and there but this year I finally popped for a jackhammer (green back shad 1/2oz) and have been crushing them! Caught 4 out of the 5 keepers in a tournament last week with a buddy on n it
@John Lee to some degree. A big part was learning the conditions and areas it works best and then continuing to use it in those areas and times until I caught a few fish and learned how the bite felt. After getting that initial boost of confidence I just kept building from there.
My favorite way to fish a chatterbait is at night. In the spring I will put a 5” black suicide shad on a black/blue jack hammer or original & bomb that sucker across flats with gravel or chunk rock. It’s such a great method at night, nobody talks about it much!
Good chatterbait video thanks I've been using chatterbait's since they came out and I'm not to proud to admit I learned something about the chatterbait today. 👍
I play mostly BFS, and gotta say the chatterbait flashback mini is one of my favourite baits to throw. Caught my PB peacock on it at 9lbs. For a lure at just 3 grams, that's a double thumbs up in my book!
Definitely plan on jigging this in about a week up north. Using the vibration of the blade on the hop to help them find it, and my floating natural chatter trailer to entice them to eat. Gonna have to fish this method too!
7:10 when you said everybody is out.... OMG you are NOT kidding!! The day after the cold front moved out and the temp went back up... It was like a major bass tournament on my lake.. And that was a Thursday! Friday was nuts as was Sunday (Sat was nasty windy and cold). I may be fixing the dock, but I am watching to see what they are using... Then I do something else!! Looks like I need a few minis!
I started slow, rolling a chatter bait over rocks a couple of falls ago. I have been doing that with a spinner bait, and thought why not. I had a lot of success because I just don’t think they see it. Thanks for the tips. Always appreciated.
I'm new to chatterbaits and a bank fisherman , thanks to the videos like this my learning curve will be much shorter. Now it's off to the baitshop to pick up some mini chatterbaits. Thanks again
Absolutely love a Chatterbait, and I have one tied on at all times year round. I throw everything from the Originals, to the Jackhammers, Thunder Cricket, and Mini Max. I mainly throw either a 3/8oz or a 1/2oz in 3 colors, Blue Gill, Green Pumpkin, or White. Favorite way to fish them is ripping through grass or bringing them down grass lines.
I’m up in Minnesota… the way I fish my chatter baits is rolling through the grass, and letting it drop in the pockets. Similar to a jig. Gets mega bites up here.
Kinda like you had touched on! My favorite reason I toss a chatterbait is because it is a spinnerbait/ crank bait but also a jig. I will cruise around using it as a search bait but I can also flip it as a jig around certain cover and hop it. Love that I don’t have to stop and switch rods or anything.
If I’m fishing around wood then I’m going to use the Z-man crosseyez chatterbait since it’s got the hook guard that keeps it from getting hung up. But I fish a lot of jackhammers down here In FL and the spunk shad is my favorite trailer to use too. Missile baits also makes some dope colors in the spunk shad.
Here up north I thought I'd give snapping a mini chatterbait a go (w/ a bootless trailer), the same way we snap tubes. Because of the resistance, it quickly became more of an aggressive double-hop. Easily my favourite way to trigger larger smallmouth bites on the bottom. I can speculate it's because of the larger profile and how much slower the bait falls, but it works. Basically like hopping a slower-moving jig.
I'm a re-emerging fisherman and I've been going to every pond, lake and stream I can get to. Been loving watching your vids and all of the great content on UA-cam. I had never fished a chatterbait before this year and I picked a couple of the basic chatterbaits and a few of the elites... been wanting to snag the mini max. Regardless, I have caught bass every outing which is AWESOME. The techniques I use are generally letting it sink and then using a low sweeping motion to engage the chatter blade, then letting it drop while I reel the slack in, then I repeat the process. I also will double twitch it and reel fast to pick up the slack. It has been working wonderfully. Thanks for the tips bro!
This is a very comprehensive video. Without a doubt, one of the Very Best on YT. I have been using various Chatterbait models (Jackhammer, Crossezes, Freedom CFL, etc) on the bottom and had a lot of success. The seem to love the red and black/blue Berkley craws on the bottom. GREAT Video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the 411. I use the Z-Man mini max, Jack Hammer, Stealth and the Big Blade. I pair all of them with hogfarmer spunk shad, sometimes with Yamamoto Cowboy and Zako.
Hey Bog! I noticed you doin’ your yoga spread-eagle while Mikey was casting…lol. I’ve used a 5” grub as a trailer on a mini. Stealth blade is cool too. Just picked up some HogFarmer Spunks for the mini and Stealth.
Love the chatterbait! I used to retrieve it straight in same speed. I found I get way more bites changing up speed and have a slight twitch now and then. Bites came way more consistent. Love the videos bro!!!
I use the mini in black and blue with green pumpkin straight tail trailer ... so versatile indeed and catch nice ones pop like a jig and get that little blade flash...BANG! Great vid!
I just recently put a Chatterbait to the test on a drop off grassbed in Florida. Counted down till contact with the beds & reeled in slowly with rod tip pops on grass contact. Caught over 40 for the day with 4 or 5 at 5lbs to 6lbs. Great way to control the sink rate is to switch up between a paddle tail or not & the length of the trailer. Subscribed & liked...looking forward to more classes!
I'm a huge fan of the new Slobberknocker and have caught some bigs on it. Either a fluke trailer or the Berkley PowerStinger, which was made to be a bladed jig trailer, is about all I use. Limits the drag on the blade and really gives that bait some next level action.
Are you using fluorocarbon for them? Some people say it's hard to keep down. I've been making my own variations of vibrating jigs for years. I use different Do it Molds to make the heads. I use their open eye underspin insert for the line tie portion, connected to spinner bait hooks before pouring the lead. No split rings necessary to attach the blade and they're made from hard heavy gauge SS wire, so I haven't had any issues with them opening up on me. When I do notice a particular design not staying down, I just use straight Fluorocarbon. Seems to do the trick.
@@secretbassrigs Fluoro or braid, it doesn't matter, although I usually use fluoro. A bladed jig wasn't designed to have a boot tail trailer. They create too much drag which inhibits the darting and hunting action of the bait.
@@LowBrowFishing true. I hear rigging the boot tails upside down does solve the issue though. I personally forego the skirts and like to use 6 inch boot tails rigged the standard way on mine, 3/8 and up Arrow Head 90° line tie jig heads. The arrowheads have the line tie closer to the nose. Maybe I've been fishing them in an unconventional way, but I get a lot of bites. So how wrong could that really be? LoL
Caught my 1st chatterbait fish last year & been excited to start fishing them more this year. Finally getting nice weather around here to get out. Great video
Thanks for the video, my favorite way to fish a chatter bait is bouncing it off the bottom. Pull it up 3' and let it flutter back down. In Michigan we have a lot of natural lakes with tons of weeds, so the chatter bait will get hung up in the weeds. The fish see chatter baits zipping across the tops of the weeds but I don't think they see many down in the weeds bottom bouncing in their face. I do this mostly with a Zako trailer and it seems to work for me.
I fish it like a jig most of the time with a speed craw trailer. If I find fish busting the surface I will burn/stop. Love these baits and I have at least 1 tied on all the time. Great videos.
I have been using the smaller profile chatters for a while now and they just seem to be more versatile. I'll pick up about a foot or two off the bottom to a 45 degree then kill it and it just wobbles ever so slightly. Something about that dying effect. The technique works well in that 5-10ft range. Cheers man, great video.
Good advice in this video, thanks. I like to use the mini, but a heavier one with a spinning blade attached on to the bend of the hook. Thos way, I have action down as well as on the retrieve
I love the chatterbait! Got one in a Lucky Tackle Box shortly after they came out and had no idea what to think of it lol. A few years later I had been adding it in and bought a few more...in no time my son and I were out and had one of our best days ever bot throwing chatters. I like using a Zako/Razr Shad trailer or the spunk shad style. Being a bank anglermy best results are using a fast/slow alternating cadence with long casts parallel to or about 45 degree to the bank. My biggest fish have all come clipping (casting across) corners in large ponds. Thanks for the the great info as always!
Thanks for the useful tip on the mini. I fish river pools, cut banks and wood where the smaller profile will be handy. Holding a bait in current on or under targets will be easier. Thanks a bunch!!!
Great video! I haven't tried the mini yet, but my favorite chatterbait is the crosseyez in 3/8. I like the weed guards on it. I use a zoom fluke as my trailer and I fish it like a jig in laydowns and around trees. In open water i like to do a slow roll with erratic jerks like a jerk bait. It catches big fish!
Awesome vid bro! Just started fishing with the Mini yesterday. Did pretty good with it. I usually like to rip through the grass. Gonna use some of these tips Thanks man.
Great video. I have been fishing a chatterbait for several years now using a varying retrieve to provoke a strike. I recently started playing with a yo-yo type retrieve similar to a lipless crank and had some success with it. I simply cast it out out, let it fall to bottom, then give it two (2) quick rod pumps. I imagine a craw on the bottom popping up then swimming off. After the rod pumps I allow the bait to fall on a semi-slack line, rinse and repeat. I use the for craw or green pumpkin colors when doing this. Give it a try and see if it works for ya.
A few years ago when the St Johns River here in North Florida had eel grass, the chatterbait was the defining bait for a great bag!! Now that the grass is totally non-existent, wood and docks are my go to places to use the bait. I also have had decent catches around ledges where the river runs in the 4-6’ range and drops off to around the 10-15’ ranges, using it similar to a jig. Thanks for the advice and keep ‘em coming!!!
Great video Mikey! My favorite was to fish a chatter is in heavy grass and pulling it through like a jerk bait. I’ve had good luck pausing the bait after freeing it though a grass patch.
I love the chatterbait! A lot of times I fish with senkos but I fish the chatterbait a little different than what I’ve seen others.. I’ll cut my 5” senko to about 3.5 inches and work it like a worm. I’ll dead stick it quite often and because of the larger profile compared to just a senko, the big fish love it!
Jackhammer is my favorite vibrating jig here in TX. Use a DOBYNS 735CB Glass & a 7 speed Shimano Chronarch MGL with 18# Sunline Sniper. The perfect setup in my opinion. Watching this video I guess I will be buying a few Mini’s!
Thank you! Between a weightless senko setup and this chatterbait setup I think I can find a perfect balance. I’ve been needing a new combo, and now I know what I’m looking for.
Here's one to try for you. Couple falls ago I picked up a heavy jackhammer, 3/4 oz and a 1.25 oz with a spunk shad, got in some deeper water 10 -12 ft on a migration route and burned it (Upper Mississippi River guy). Lots of guys catch fish burning crankbaits, but this is another tool to try. My biggest fish of the day all came on this technique. I would also think this could work on the ledges as well, but I don't live down there to try it.
Pond fishing I’m usually mixing it up cranking mid column to bouncing slowly around the bottom. Definitely appreciate the Mini and Mini Max’s in pressured water too.
I fish predominantly ponds and do have some luck. Thank you for these ideas. Looks like I just need to keep experimenting more with chatter baits. Appreciate the video.
That’s great news. One of my biggest issues with the chatterbait is that I fish a lot around wood. I’ll have to give the mini a go. Awesome video, man!
Living in central Florida I have good luck ticking the grass and getting reaction strikes. As always, very informative and innovative ideas coming from Mike. Love the channel
I’ve been using the CrossEye Chatterbait and the MiniMax for bottom bouncing and they’ve both been working,especially this spring has been cold and warm and cold again here in the Raleigh NC lakes…. You are giving up some great tips👍😜🍀🎣🍀
My preferred way to fish a Chatterbait is on a brand new Bass boat with a loveable grey pit Bull and this guy I watch on UA-cam. When I can’t do that, I throw it on a 7”2’ MH mod rod with my Lews ProTi reel. I have dine very well with the Chatterbait in my neighborhood ponds.
I made a commitment to use the chatterbait more this year. I have only caught one bass on one, but I never threw them much. Last year, I was determined to catch more jig and spinnerbait fish, which I did. This year is all about the chatterbait.
Mikey great video I usually fish a 1/2 Oz Jakehammer on 12lb braid . I will give this mini a try on lighter rod. ST Lawrance smallies will probably love it. Thks.
I've always thought smaller chatterbait and weight meant it will come up more in the water column. Thanks for sharing that tip and experience! 💯 My favorite way to use a chatterbait is definitely bumping it on branches/cover. Gets that reaction bite everytime there's a fish nearby.
I actually use the z man micro chatterbait for catching big brown trout in my local rivers. I also bend my hooks a little just like you mentioned. Skirtless with a Berkley 2 1/2 inch split tail with a little scent on the tail. They absolutely smash it, some of the best reaction bites I've ever gotten in my life. I prefer the gold blade over the silver but they both work I just wish the blade was just a little heavier a little thicker for a harder chatter but I love them
A chatterbait was one of the first bait I really gained confidence in. I typically try to keep it just of the bottom. Popping the tip of the rod occasionally made a big difference in the number of bites I get. You can catch them with a straight retrieve but once you start imparting some erratic action it completely changes things.
Great vid as always! I like to fish a 3/8 oz chatterbait nice and slow through the shallows with a lunker city swimbait rigged upside down or flat. This method produces my biggest bass every spring.
The action on those spunk shad is awesome underwater footage is crazy,, I'm glad I seen that video you made about the mini max and spunk shad because that is what got me to try them now there's no turning back! Thanks again bro!
The chatterbait has been a go to bait for me the three sesons. I've yet to try a jackhammer so hopefully I can reel soon. I really like your videos so keep them coming.
I like throwing the mini max because I can throw it anywhere I want and not be afraid to get snagged because it’s not $20 like a jackhammer! Put a spunk shad on any vibrating jig and it comes to life has some wild darting actions. I’ve caught multiple 5 plus pound fish on it the last few week here in Texas..
It’s still not a confidence bait for me, but I’ve been fishing a Jackhammer with either a Hog Farmer Spunk Spunk Shad or a Gambler Komodo trailer. I’ve also used the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon and the Yamamoto Zako as trailers. Although I have not started my new season up here in the north, I’m committed to being more successful using a bladed jig.
Chatter bait is so versatile that it’s just incredible how many different things you are able to do with it.. my favourite probably is fishing it over and around cover. Great video, will get a mini soon..! 🤙🏼🕶️✨
Big fan of the bladed jig. I have it tied on one or two rods year around. I fish a grass lake so it’s a no brainer. Great vid Mikey. Tight lines brother
Mike... these minis went on sale for $5, so I bought a bunch of them and don't feel hesitant to throw them in the thick of things. The amount of bites tossing them in deep cover, versus the edges, a whole different ballgame!
I just picked up a couple mini's for river fishing. I do a lot of river fishing in summer and chatterbait custom was my go to bait. Still experimenting with trailers I really like the Big Bite Baits Swimon but I picked up 6 colors of the Hog Farmer Spunk shad.
I’m fairly new to chatterbaits but am trying to learn as much as I can at the moment. I learned a few things from this video so thank you! Hopefully I can get good and show off some skills on my channel as well. Tight lines!
My favorite way to fish a chatterbait is jigging it in prespawn. Just counting days here in MI till we get that water temp up on the inland lakes. Thanks for the informative video. Gained a new subscriber today friend. Tight lines and cheers!
I enjoy using it in lay downs but in that case I use a craw style trailer to keep it flat over limbs, missile partnered up with hog farmer to make some other colors of the spunk shad
Awesome video 👍🏽👍🏽 I’ve been fishing the chatter bait like a jig or a spoon letting it hit bottom then pulling my rod tip up and it vibrates then letting fall back down. Thanks for the tips 🎣💪🏽
Great video as always! I like fishing the chatterbait or bladed jigs everywhere. Find fish with it. So many ways to fish this bait, it's hard to narrow down. Probably most of the time reeling with a pop or 2 or change in cadence. Sometimes reel then let fall then pop up and/or reel in steady!
Hey Mike the mistake I was making with a chatterbaait is using a gear ratio that was to fast. I'm going to get a Lew's 6.8 gear ratio . Man I'll tell you Mike I've been really enjoying your channel. I always hit the like button and I will always support your channel it's just excellent information. There's alot of things you tell me that the other channels don't tell me. Thanks again for teaching me how to become a better angler. GOD bless you and your family and my buddy bogs.
I’ve fished the thunder cricket, slobber knocker and the jack hammer and the Thunder cricket is my favorite. I don’t like how aggressive the vibration is on the jack hammer but i gets the job done.
I love the Mini Max, I have others but the mini max is my go to. I got one of each major colors and now I'm gonna order multiple ones, also I only use a spunk shad on a mini max
up until 2020 i had no clue what to do with a chatter bait, now I love slingin it over emergent weeds with confidence, I'm just starting to get into trailers with it.
My favorite way to fish a Chatterbait is skipping under docks and banging them into dock posts on the way out. Hitting the posts gets some vicious reaction bites! I'll definitely try this with the mini this season!
Chatter bait is 1 of my go to's. I love that and a spinner bait. I like to twitch the chatterbox as I reel it back to me. Or sometimes I will just kill it and let it sink. And that's usually when I get the hook up. It's usually on the fall when I kill it. Again one of my favorite baits. And probably my most confident baits in my eyes. Chartreuse and white. Love the video Mikey
I like fishing a jack hammer in the grass, and rocks. I have been using a super fluke with great success, but will start using the Spunk shad this spring. I have so many different technics that I want to use like free rigging, mopping, and I love swimbait fishing.
Oh heck yeah the spunk shad really gives the chatterbait a different dimension,I'm pretty set on the jackhammer I'm that kind of guy "if they stop eating the jackhammer I'm probably just not fishing it the way they want it."😂
Hey man, something I've learned is if your fishing the 1/2 oz around wook and or Rock if you change the trailer from the swimbait style bait to craw style bait such as a rage craw it helps tremendously in helping me stay un snagged. The two arms helps the chatter bait from rolling in its side and keeps the bait running straight. Just my 2 cents worth. Thanks for all the videos. Stay safe out there on and off the water. Semper Fi from an old Marine
Heck of a tip. I’ll have to give that a try.
The Gambler Komodo works as well for this.
Yea using a craw style that has a flat body really helps it from rolling on it side. And the slobberknocker is the best in wood imo.. and learned last weekend it seems like the thundercricket goes through rip rap much better because it's pivoting head let's the head just go up and over rocks rather than getting pinned on it
@@coopsaquatics8051👍
I went from 2 seasons ago never catching a fish on a chatterbait, to it being a total confidence bait for me now. I forced myself to use it more late 21 and early 22 and now it's a go to bait for me
isn't it cool how that process works with learning a new bait!
@@mikeybalzz absolutely!
Same! I’ve catch fish here and there but this year I finally popped for a jackhammer (green back shad 1/2oz) and have been crushing them! Caught 4 out of the 5 keepers in a tournament last week with a buddy on n it
@@HoosierHooksetter did you change the way you fished it to make the difference?
@John Lee to some degree. A big part was learning the conditions and areas it works best and then continuing to use it in those areas and times until I caught a few fish and learned how the bite felt. After getting that initial boost of confidence I just kept building from there.
My favorite way to fish a chatterbait is at night. In the spring I will put a 5” black suicide shad on a black/blue jack hammer or original & bomb that sucker across flats with gravel or chunk rock. It’s such a great method at night, nobody talks about it much!
I am a bank angler with the grandson. Love throwing a chatterbait as a search bait. Covers water and comes through most cover!!
Tight lines!!!
Good chatterbait video thanks I've been using chatterbait's since they came out and I'm not to proud to admit I learned something about the chatterbait today. 👍
I play mostly BFS, and gotta say the chatterbait flashback mini is one of my favourite baits to throw. Caught my PB peacock on it at 9lbs. For a lure at just 3 grams, that's a double thumbs up in my book!
I have always avoided lay downs with chatterbaits. So, I am glad to hear that there is a chatterbait that is able to go through them. Thanks!
Definitely plan on jigging this in about a week up north. Using the vibration of the blade on the hop to help them find it, and my floating natural chatter trailer to entice them to eat. Gonna have to fish this method too!
7:10 when you said everybody is out.... OMG you are NOT kidding!! The day after the cold front moved out and the temp went back up... It was like a major bass tournament on my lake.. And that was a Thursday! Friday was nuts as was Sunday (Sat was nasty windy and cold). I may be fixing the dock, but I am watching to see what they are using... Then I do something else!!
Looks like I need a few minis!
I started slow, rolling a chatter bait over rocks a couple of falls ago. I have been doing that with a spinner bait, and thought why not. I had a lot of success because I just don’t think they see it. Thanks for the tips. Always appreciated.
My favorite way to fish them is rippin through grass. Although I’ll have to try the new crank style sometime
I'm new to chatterbaits and a bank fisherman , thanks to the videos like this my learning curve will be much shorter. Now it's off to the baitshop to pick up some mini chatterbaits. Thanks again
Absolutely love a Chatterbait, and I have one tied on at all times year round. I throw everything from the Originals, to the Jackhammers, Thunder Cricket, and Mini Max. I mainly throw either a 3/8oz or a 1/2oz in 3 colors, Blue Gill, Green Pumpkin, or White. Favorite way to fish them is ripping through grass or bringing them down grass lines.
I’m up in Minnesota… the way I fish my chatter baits is rolling through the grass, and letting it drop in the pockets. Similar to a jig. Gets mega bites up here.
I love slow rolling a chatter bait and waiting for the roof to get pulled out of my hands!!! Your videos have opened my eyes to so many trailers. Ty
Kinda like you had touched on! My favorite reason I toss a chatterbait is because it is a spinnerbait/ crank bait but also a jig. I will cruise around using it as a search bait but I can also flip it as a jig around certain cover and hop it. Love that I don’t have to stop and switch rods or anything.
Yeah it's super versatile especially this little mini one!
Your favorite season is....?????
Is this a guessing game??
If I’m fishing around wood then I’m going to use the Z-man crosseyez chatterbait since it’s got the hook guard that keeps it from getting hung up. But I fish a lot of jackhammers down here In FL and the spunk shad is my favorite trailer to use too. Missile baits also makes some dope colors in the spunk shad.
Here up north I thought I'd give snapping a mini chatterbait a go (w/ a bootless trailer), the same way we snap tubes. Because of the resistance, it quickly became more of an aggressive double-hop. Easily my favourite way to trigger larger smallmouth bites on the bottom. I can speculate it's because of the larger profile and how much slower the bait falls, but it works. Basically like hopping a slower-moving jig.
I'm a re-emerging fisherman and I've been going to every pond, lake and stream I can get to. Been loving watching your vids and all of the great content on UA-cam. I had never fished a chatterbait before this year and I picked a couple of the basic chatterbaits and a few of the elites... been wanting to snag the mini max. Regardless, I have caught bass every outing which is AWESOME. The techniques I use are generally letting it sink and then using a low sweeping motion to engage the chatter blade, then letting it drop while I reel the slack in, then I repeat the process. I also will double twitch it and reel fast to pick up the slack. It has been working wonderfully. Thanks for the tips bro!
This is a very comprehensive video. Without a doubt, one of the Very Best on YT. I have been using various Chatterbait models (Jackhammer, Crossezes, Freedom CFL, etc) on the bottom and had a lot of success. The seem to love the red and black/blue Berkley craws on the bottom. GREAT Video. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the 411. I use the Z-Man mini max, Jack Hammer, Stealth and the Big Blade. I pair all of them with hogfarmer spunk shad, sometimes with Yamamoto Cowboy and Zako.
Hey Bog!
I noticed you doin’ your yoga spread-eagle while Mikey was casting…lol.
I’ve used a 5” grub as a trailer on a mini. Stealth blade is cool too. Just picked up some HogFarmer Spunks for the mini and Stealth.
The baits a staple in the arsenal, as soon as the ice is off the water till summer time. There’s never a bad time to have it tied on
Love the chatterbait! I used to retrieve it straight in same speed. I found I get way more bites changing up speed and have a slight twitch now and then. Bites came way more consistent. Love the videos bro!!!
I use the mini in black and blue with green pumpkin straight tail trailer ... so versatile indeed and catch nice ones pop like a jig and get that little blade flash...BANG! Great vid!
I just recently put a Chatterbait to the test on a drop off grassbed in Florida. Counted down till contact with the beds & reeled in slowly with rod tip pops on grass contact. Caught over 40 for the day with 4 or 5 at 5lbs to 6lbs. Great way to control the sink rate is to switch up between a paddle tail or not & the length of the trailer. Subscribed & liked...looking forward to more classes!
I'm a huge fan of the new Slobberknocker and have caught some bigs on it. Either a fluke trailer or the Berkley PowerStinger, which was made to be a bladed jig trailer, is about all I use. Limits the drag on the blade and really gives that bait some next level action.
Are you using fluorocarbon for them? Some people say it's hard to keep down.
I've been making my own variations of vibrating jigs for years. I use different Do it Molds to make the heads. I use their open eye underspin insert for the line tie portion, connected to spinner bait hooks before pouring the lead. No split rings necessary to attach the blade and they're made from hard heavy gauge SS wire, so I haven't had any issues with them opening up on me.
When I do notice a particular design not staying down, I just use straight Fluorocarbon. Seems to do the trick.
@@secretbassrigs Fluoro or braid, it doesn't matter, although I usually use fluoro. A bladed jig wasn't designed to have a boot tail trailer. They create too much drag which inhibits the darting and hunting action of the bait.
@@LowBrowFishing true. I hear rigging the boot tails upside down does solve the issue though. I personally forego the skirts and like to use 6 inch boot tails rigged the standard way on mine, 3/8 and up Arrow Head 90° line tie jig heads. The arrowheads have the line tie closer to the nose.
Maybe I've been fishing them in an unconventional way, but I get a lot of bites. So how wrong could that really be? LoL
@@secretbassrigs If you get bites, then that's what really matters!
@@LowBrowFishing 👍
Caught my 1st chatterbait fish last year & been excited to start fishing them more this year. Finally getting nice weather around here to get out. Great video
Thanks for the video, my favorite way to fish a chatter bait is bouncing it off the bottom. Pull it up 3' and let it flutter back down. In Michigan we have a lot of natural lakes with tons of weeds, so the chatter bait will get hung up in the weeds. The fish see chatter baits zipping across the tops of the weeds but I don't think they see many down in the weeds bottom bouncing in their face. I do this mostly with a Zako trailer and it seems to work for me.
I fish it like a jig most of the time with a speed craw trailer. If I find fish busting the surface I will burn/stop. Love these baits and I have at least 1 tied on all the time. Great videos.
I have been using the smaller profile chatters for a while now and they just seem to be more versatile. I'll pick up about a foot or two off the bottom to a 45 degree then kill it and it just wobbles ever so slightly. Something about that dying effect. The technique works well in that 5-10ft range. Cheers man, great video.
Good advice in this video, thanks. I like to use the mini, but a heavier one with a spinning blade attached on to the bend of the hook. Thos way, I have action down as well as on the retrieve
I love the chatterbait! Got one in a Lucky Tackle Box shortly after they came out and had no idea what to think of it lol. A few years later I had been adding it in and bought a few more...in no time my son and I were out and had one of our best days ever bot throwing chatters. I like using a Zako/Razr Shad trailer or the spunk shad style. Being a bank anglermy best results are using a fast/slow alternating cadence with long casts parallel to or about 45 degree to the bank. My biggest fish have all come clipping (casting across) corners in large ponds. Thanks for the the great info as always!
Thanks for the useful tip on the mini. I fish river pools, cut banks and wood where the smaller profile will be handy. Holding a bait in current on or under targets will be easier. Thanks a bunch!!!
Great video! I haven't tried the mini yet, but my favorite chatterbait is the crosseyez in 3/8. I like the weed guards on it. I use a zoom fluke as my trailer and I fish it like a jig in laydowns and around trees. In open water i like to do a slow roll with erratic jerks like a jerk bait. It catches big fish!
Add the mini to your tackle lineup.....you will not be disappointed.
Like the fluke as a trailer also. Wanting to try the crosseye.
It works very well in grass and wood cover, it pulls right through with ease and I think the orange eyes add a little something different to the bait
Awesome vid bro! Just started fishing with the Mini yesterday. Did pretty good with it. I usually like to rip through the grass. Gonna use some of these tips Thanks man.
I picked up a few Mini Chatterbaits last week. Can't wait to give them a rip. I to love fishing Chatterbaits with a Spunk Shad.
Great video. I have been fishing a chatterbait for several years now using a varying retrieve to provoke a strike. I recently started playing with a yo-yo type retrieve similar to a lipless crank and had some success with it. I simply cast it out out, let it fall to bottom, then give it two (2) quick rod pumps. I imagine a craw on the bottom popping up then swimming off. After the rod pumps I allow the bait to fall on a semi-slack line, rinse and repeat. I use the for craw or green pumpkin colors when doing this. Give it a try and see if it works for ya.
Just started trying a mini,, but my favorite is the OG zman with a fluke!! I’m a pond fisherman and this setup works great for me!!
A few years ago when the St Johns River here in North Florida had eel grass, the chatterbait was the defining bait for a great bag!! Now that the grass is totally non-existent, wood and docks are my go to places to use the bait. I also have had decent catches around ledges where the river runs in the 4-6’ range and drops off to around the 10-15’ ranges, using it similar to a jig. Thanks for the advice and keep ‘em coming!!!
Great video Mikey! My favorite was to fish a chatter is in heavy grass and pulling it through like a jerk bait. I’ve had good luck pausing the bait after freeing it though a grass patch.
I love the chatterbait! A lot of times I fish with senkos but I fish the chatterbait a little different than what I’ve seen others.. I’ll cut my 5” senko to about 3.5 inches and work it like a worm. I’ll dead stick it quite often and because of the larger profile compared to just a senko, the big fish love it!
Jackhammer is my favorite vibrating jig here in TX. Use a DOBYNS 735CB Glass & a 7 speed Shimano Chronarch MGL with 18# Sunline Sniper. The perfect setup in my opinion. Watching this video I guess I will be buying a few Mini’s!
Thank you! Between a weightless senko setup and this chatterbait setup I think I can find a perfect balance. I’ve been needing a new combo, and now I know what I’m looking for.
Im knew to bass fishing but i have been trying to learn how to skip it so im watching your video on how to skip one. Tight lines brother!
Here's one to try for you. Couple falls ago I picked up a heavy jackhammer, 3/4 oz and a 1.25 oz with a spunk shad, got in some deeper water 10 -12 ft on a migration route and burned it (Upper Mississippi River guy). Lots of guys catch fish burning crankbaits, but this is another tool to try. My biggest fish of the day all came on this technique. I would also think this could work on the ledges as well, but I don't live down there to try it.
The new mini max has been working well for me also. I have been doing like you and fishing it like a crank bait. Thanks for the tips
Pond fishing I’m usually mixing it up cranking mid column to bouncing slowly around the bottom. Definitely appreciate the Mini and Mini Max’s in pressured water too.
3/8 mini chatt is my #1 always carry 2 of each color! To me it gives off the exact vibration as the stealth blade! Great vid bro!
I've been doing this with the ChatterBait mini for 2 years now. Good advice
Hog framer spunk shad are great trailers for The chatterbaits. The action they put off. My number 1 trailer
I fish predominantly ponds and do have some luck. Thank you for these ideas. Looks like I just need to keep experimenting more with chatter baits. Appreciate the video.
That’s great news. One of my biggest issues with the chatterbait is that I fish a lot around wood. I’ll have to give the mini a go. Awesome video, man!
Yeah you'll be really surprised how clean it runs nothing's perfect but it's a lot better than a jackhammer
Living in central Florida I have good luck ticking the grass and getting reaction strikes. As always, very informative and innovative ideas coming from Mike. Love the channel
I bend that tab on the top back a bit, which helps it push the bait down on a straight retrieve. Really helps keep it down!!
I’ve been using the CrossEye Chatterbait and the MiniMax for bottom bouncing and they’ve both been working,especially this spring has been cold and warm and cold again here in the Raleigh NC lakes…. You are giving up some great tips👍😜🍀🎣🍀
My preferred way to fish a Chatterbait is on a brand new Bass boat with a loveable grey pit Bull and this guy I watch on UA-cam. When I can’t do that, I throw it on a 7”2’ MH mod rod with my Lews ProTi reel. I have dine very well with the Chatterbait in my neighborhood ponds.
I made a commitment to use the chatterbait more this year. I have only caught one bass on one, but I never threw them much. Last year, I was determined to catch more jig and spinnerbait fish, which I did. This year is all about the chatterbait.
I love fishing it around Lilly pad steams. Thanks for the great information.
I’ve caught giants on isolated wood cover with the jackhammer. Love the videos and tips!
Nice little tip on bending the hook slightly in on the Mini 👍 . Thanks Mikey
Ripping through and over grass has been my favorite way to catch them on a chatter bait🤠🤙🏻
Mikey great video I usually fish a 1/2 Oz Jakehammer on 12lb braid . I will give this mini a try on lighter rod. ST Lawrance smallies will probably love it. Thks.
I've always thought smaller chatterbait and weight meant it will come up more in the water column. Thanks for sharing that tip and experience! 💯
My favorite way to use a chatterbait is definitely bumping it on branches/cover. Gets that reaction bite everytime there's a fish nearby.
I actually use the z man micro chatterbait for catching big brown trout in my local rivers. I also bend my hooks a little just like you mentioned. Skirtless with a Berkley 2 1/2 inch split tail with a little scent on the tail. They absolutely smash it, some of the best reaction bites I've ever gotten in my life. I prefer the gold blade over the silver but they both work I just wish the blade was just a little heavier a little thicker for a harder chatter but I love them
A chatterbait was one of the first bait I really gained confidence in. I typically try to keep it just of the bottom. Popping the tip of the rod occasionally made a big difference in the number of bites I get. You can catch them with a straight retrieve but once you start imparting some erratic action it completely changes things.
Great vid as always! I like to fish a 3/8 oz chatterbait nice and slow through the shallows with a lunker city swimbait rigged upside down or flat. This method produces my biggest bass every spring.
The action on those spunk shad is awesome underwater footage is crazy,, I'm glad I seen that video you made about the mini max and spunk shad because that is what got me to try them now there's no turning back! Thanks again bro!
The chatterbait has been a go to bait for me the three sesons. I've yet to try a jackhammer so hopefully I can reel soon. I really like your videos so keep them coming.
Thanks for another great video. I like ripping the chatter out of the grass, seems to work well in my local lakes. Thanks again keep up the good work.
I like throwing the mini max because I can throw it anywhere I want and not be afraid to get snagged because it’s not $20 like a jackhammer! Put a spunk shad on any vibrating jig and it comes to life has some wild darting actions. I’ve caught multiple 5 plus pound fish on it the last few week here in Texas..
It’s still not a confidence bait for me, but I’ve been fishing a Jackhammer with either a Hog Farmer Spunk Spunk Shad or a Gambler Komodo trailer. I’ve also used the Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon and the Yamamoto Zako as trailers. Although I have not started my new season up here in the north, I’m committed to being more successful using a bladed jig.
Chatter bait is so versatile that it’s just incredible how many different things you are able to do with it.. my favourite probably is fishing it over and around cover.
Great video, will get a mini soon..! 🤙🏼🕶️✨
Love the crosseyez, they start up almost as fast as the jack hammer and are great in cover
Big fan of the bladed jig. I have it tied on one or two rods year around. I fish a grass lake so it’s a no brainer. Great vid Mikey. Tight lines brother
I love the jackhammer but haven’t tried the mini. The out of the box thinking is what you do best Mikey!!!
Mike... these minis went on sale for $5, so I bought a bunch of them and don't feel hesitant to throw them in the thick of things. The amount of bites tossing them in deep cover, versus the edges, a whole different ballgame!
that was my biggest surprise - how clean it runs thru cover you could never throw a jackhammer thru.
@mikeybalzz fishing , surprisingly better than the cross-eye ones with the wire guard. Keep up the great content man!
I just picked up a couple mini's for river fishing. I do a lot of river fishing in summer and chatterbait custom was my go to bait. Still experimenting with trailers I really like the Big Bite Baits Swimon but I picked up 6 colors of the Hog Farmer Spunk shad.
I’m fairly new to chatterbaits but am trying to learn as much as I can at the moment. I learned a few things from this video so thank you! Hopefully I can get good and show off some skills on my channel as well. Tight lines!
My favorite way to fish a chatterbait is jigging it in prespawn. Just counting days here in MI till we get that water temp up on the inland lakes. Thanks for the informative video. Gained a new subscriber today friend. Tight lines and cheers!
I enjoy using it in lay downs but in that case I use a craw style trailer to keep it flat over limbs, missile partnered up with hog farmer to make some other colors of the spunk shad
Awesome video 👍🏽👍🏽 I’ve been fishing the chatter bait like a jig or a spoon letting it hit bottom then pulling my rod tip up and it vibrates then letting fall back down. Thanks for the tips 🎣💪🏽
Great video as always!
I like fishing the chatterbait or bladed jigs everywhere. Find fish with it. So many ways to fish this bait, it's hard to narrow down. Probably most of the time reeling with a pop or 2 or change in cadence. Sometimes reel then let fall then pop up and/or reel in steady!
I like slow rolling shallow n giving it a couple quick pops pause let it fall then start reeling it again. Thanks brother
Great video, Glad I stocked up on Minis over the winter.
Hey Mike the mistake I was making with a chatterbaait is using a gear ratio that was to fast. I'm going to get a Lew's 6.8 gear ratio . Man I'll tell you Mike I've been really enjoying your channel. I always hit the like button and I will always support your channel it's just excellent information. There's alot of things you tell me that the other channels don't tell me. Thanks again for teaching me how to become a better angler. GOD bless you and your family and my buddy bogs.
I’ve fished the thunder cricket, slobber knocker and the jack hammer and the Thunder cricket is my favorite. I don’t like how aggressive the vibration is on the jack hammer but i gets the job done.
Awesome video … just bought the trailers, already had the mini. I like the mini better than the jackhammer!
Love all your videos!
I love the Mini Max, I have others but the mini max is my go to. I got one of each major colors and now I'm gonna order multiple ones, also I only use a spunk shad on a mini max
Yes I totally agree yo-yo ing off the bottom is a great way to fish this chatterbait. I hope the come out with more colors in this mini max.
I feel like I have fished them all expect the mini! Going to change that soon hopefully!
Thanks for sharing
up until 2020 i had no clue what to do with a chatter bait, now I love slingin it over emergent weeds with confidence, I'm just starting to get into trailers with it.
My favorite way to fish a Chatterbait is skipping under docks and banging them into dock posts on the way out. Hitting the posts gets some vicious reaction bites! I'll definitely try this with the mini this season!
Chatter bait is 1 of my go to's. I love that and a spinner bait. I like to twitch the chatterbox as I reel it back to me. Or sometimes I will just kill it and let it sink. And that's usually when I get the hook up. It's usually on the fall when I kill it. Again one of my favorite baits. And probably my most confident baits in my eyes. Chartreuse and white.
Love the video Mikey
Thanks Mikey, I like in the spring using it like a blade bait.
I love fishing it around laydowns and early grass.
I like fishing a jack hammer in the grass, and rocks. I have been using a super fluke with great success, but will start using the Spunk shad this spring. I have so many different technics that I want to use like free rigging, mopping, and I love swimbait fishing.
Great info on the Mini. Still trying to get more confidence in the chatterbait , my partner does well on them, but I'm still learning the bite.
Love fishing chatter baits in grass cover, slays🎣
I'm in Florida so I like to fish it in cover. I use to fish the weedless one from zman for awhile. Great videos by the way. What up Bog
Oh heck yeah the spunk shad really gives the chatterbait a different dimension,I'm pretty set on the jackhammer I'm that kind of guy "if they stop eating the jackhammer I'm probably just not fishing it the way they want it."😂