How did everyone do?

[fishinwrench]

That's twice now that a chatterbait has done well in the Fall bash.  The guy that took 2nd last Fall is a customer of mine.  He is basically a crappie fisherman but threw a brown chatterbait around all his crappie piles and caught 3 fish that paid off.  

[slothman]

Don't mean to totally hijack this thread because I really enjoy reading about everybody's experiences. But I've never fished a chatterbait. How do you use one of those? Is it fished like a jig or like a spinnerbait or what?

[shrapnel]

22 minutes ago, slothman said:

Don't mean to totally hijack this thread because I really enjoy reading about everybody's experiences. But I've never fished a chatterbait. How do you use one of those? Is it fished like a jig or like a spinnerbait or what?

Yes. 

[fishinwrench]

More like a Spinnerbait or a Swim jig.  

I've had limited success with them when fish are suspended right under the docks, and I hear they are great on lakes with submerged grass.  I love fishing them cuz they feel cool as hell (thumpity thumpity thumpity) and you just kinda expect something to rip the rod out of your hand.   But I personally do way better with a swim jig and boot-tail trailer.   

I guess I just need to have a real good day with one so I can build more confidence in them.

[DADAKOTA]

Unlike a spinnerbait, the chatterbaits are not to good around wood.  I can fish a lay down with a spinnerbait just similar to a squarebill.  Lots of contact, up and over limbs, etc.  Chatterbait typically ends up hungup.  Got to give it plenty of clearance around wood.

[DADAKOTA]

Were the 1st and 2nd place fish weighed on the same scale?

[nomolites]

I believe both were weighed at Alhonna, as was the 4th place fish.  The lower end ruled.

Mike

[Seth]

2 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

Unlike a spinnerbait, the chatterbaits are not to good around wood.  I can fish a lay down with a spinnerbait just similar to a squarebill.  Lots of contact, up and over limbs, etc.  Chatterbait typically ends up hungup.  Got to give it plenty of clearance around wood.

Nutech makes a chatterbait that looks extremely weedless. I've not tried any yet though.

 

You could also try this with those clip on coils used on swimbait hooks.

[fshndoug]

I make chatterbaits.The chatterbaits in those pics need their blades bent to work  the best,more vibration

[Jmontgo1246]

2 hours ago, fshndoug said:

I make chatterbaits.The chatterbaits in those pics need their blades bent to work  the best,more vibration

What do you use to bend those blades?