Chatterbaits

[Sore Thumbs]

I was wondering how many people use Chatterbaits on TR in here. I have always used spinnerbaits. They also have chatterbaits made by Phenix that are dark colors with dark blades and use swim Senko or craw type trailers. Has anyone used these Phenix Vibrator Jigs? If so how do you like them and how do you fish them. Are chatterbaits able to be fished in a lot of brush? Do they get hung up easy? Sorry if I sound like a rookie I'm just trying to diversify my arsenal if there is a need for it. Thanks for any input folks.

[Ealy]

I was wondering how many people use Chatterbaits on TR in here. I have always used spinnerbaits. They also have chatterbaits made by Phenix that are dark colors with dark blades and use swim Senko or craw type trailers. Has anyone used these Phenix Vibrator Jigs? If so how do you like them and how do you fish them. Are chatterbaits able to be fished in a lot of brush? Do they get hung up easy? Sorry if I sound like a rookie I'm just trying to diversify my arsenal if there is a need for it. Thanks for any input folks.

I doubt you'll find many people using Chatterbaits on Table Rock. Don't get me wrong Chatterbaits have won their share of big tournaments around the country, but not here. Those baits seem to excel when fished around shallow grass or lily pads. The extra noise and vibration helps bass key in on where the bait is. Table rock is clear enough EVERYWHERE that more subtle baits are needed. Expanding your arsenal is great, but there are plenty of proven baits and techniques published for The Rock to keep you busy. Trust me if you aren't catching them out there it isn't because you aren't throwing a Chatterbait. Table Rock is tough enough as it is, don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to! Check out the articles page and you'll find info on every viable technique related to Table Rock Lake.

[Sore Thumbs]

I doubt you'll find many people using Chatterbaits on Table Rock. Don't get me wrong Chatterbaits have won their share of big tournaments around the country, but not here. Those baits seem to excel when fished around shallow grass or lily pads. The extra noise and vibration helps bass key in on where the bait is. Table rock is clear enough EVERYWHERE that more subtle baits are needed. Expanding your arsenal is great, but there are plenty of proven baits and techniques published for The Rock to keep you busy. Trust me if you aren't catching them out there it isn't because you aren't throwing a Chatterbait. Table Rock is tough enough as it is, don't make it any harder on yourself than you have to! Check out the articles page and you'll find info on every viable technique related to Table Rock Lake.

I should have worded my question differently. I am fishing in a tournament at Lake Eufala next weekend and was just trying to get some general knowledge about them. The reason I asked in the Table Rock Forum is because they are the only Forum group that seems to have people that actually have something to add and I value you guys opinion. As for what to use on TR I agree with you. If anyone thinks these will work at Lake Eufala let me know. Sorry for the misleading question.

[rps]

At Eufala I used to use blades - almost exclusively. If I had to fish there right now, depending on water color, I would fish large blade willow with smaller Indiana in either black or yellow blue green skirt. I would look for places to pull the bait right to cover and kill it. I would also have a buzz bait I didn't have to burn to keep up.

[steveearle]

I have used the Phenix blade so let me give you some advice....They work well BUT....I first used them night fishing LOZ 2 years ago--black/blue with a black swim senko. I practiced with it Friday night, threw it in the tourney Saturday night, then cut it off. When I woke up Monday and looked in the boat the hook was already rusted. Although the Phenix works well it has a BRONZE hook...They are very susceptable to rust...With some hard looking I found a better bait...Assuming your not against internet orders (which I doubt you are based on the Phenix conversation). Revenge bait company makes a bladed jig that is phenominal. Great blade, great head, great colors, awesome hook (very sharp Chrome coated)....I buy them on Tackle Warehouse...the shad is a great color, they have good black hues for night, awesome bluegill color, and very good chart shad color...Give em a look...As for TRock, you'll have to ask others....

[MstStudent10]

If color isn't your determining factor, I don't think you can go wrong with the Z Man's Chatterbait. I've used them a ton this year, both down in TX and the MO lakes. Fished stump fields at Fork and caught 4 bass over 7.5 in less than a day. Those crazy FL strains were wrapping me around stumps and everything, the bait held up amazing, and I haven't yet had to sharpen the hooks. If I want another color, I just buy different skirts and put them on, and mix and match with various trailers. It is cheaper too if you just buy different colored skirts and change them out than to buy a ton of different colored chatterbaits. As far as trailers, I've found Zoom Speed craws to work best for me, usually in just the pearl white. The claws on speed craws flap and thump erratically on a straight faster retreive.

Here's what I've learned this yr from them... If there's grass and/or a decent amount of other vegetation in a lake, Chatterbaits Rule. Hands down. Also, if you ever swim a jig or the conditions are right for swimming a jig (around boat docks or other things and bass are chasing your jig back or hitting it while you are reeling) and it is also really windy, chatterbaits can sack em, even in the lakes around here. They are obviously in the mood to hit a swimming jig, and with really windy conditions I think the chattering makes it easier for the bass to hone in on it...Plus I think that chatterbaits just flat out piss bass off. I have also had pretty good luck with them up the rivers and creeks around here, such as at Stockton, LOZ, and yes...Table Rock. Whether or not the sun is out, if you have wind and dirty water, chatterbaits have produced. Fishing them a lot like a square bill around cover and lay downs can pay off. I've caught alot back in creeks in dirty water just by randomly getting on a flat and fanning casts all around me in the wind.

Overall around here I've found that conditions are best for a chatterbait when it's windy and there's dirty water, with the exception of the "swim jig scenario" and "vegetation" scenario, where water quality hasn't really mattered, but wind still has always been a key.

[Sore Thumbs]

Thanks guys for your input. That helps a lot.

[T-RockJaws]

For what it is worth... 99% of my fishing is done on Table Rock and yes, I do keep a couple of chatter baits on hand. Mainly black with a blue fleck and I like to use a craw trailer. I do not use them very often, but there are times in both the spring and fall when I like to throw them. For me, I like to slow roll them back to the boat while letting them "clank" on the bottom. I know that is not the traditional way to fish one, just something that seems to work well for me durring certain conditions.

[Tfsh4bass]

I have done very well with chatterbaits (I call mine Crazy Jigs) on the area lakes regardless of how clear the water is...I recommend a trailer hook though because I have a ton of fish at Table Rock just swipe at it. The bait really triggers some bites but sometimes hard to hook up...I have had some great days though as most of the fish I hook up with are good ones.

[steveearle]

I have had the originals (Z-Man) actually oxidize (the hook) while still in the pack...These were the ones being sold about 4 years ago...Don't know if they changed the hooks or not...I know of a retail store that sent all of there's back...They do have more now....Whatever works, but I got as far away from them as possible...After the problem with the originals, I played with nearly all, and the Revenge is the highest quality I have found by far...Just my $02..