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.
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!
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!
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.
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’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 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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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 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
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'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 TH-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!
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
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.
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!!!
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 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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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 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!
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.
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 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.
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
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!!!
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!
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.
Great video as always. You spoil us. Love the mini with the 3.5 Spunk Shad. I have yet to try throwing these into wood. Oh, well! Missile is also making Spunk Shads so some different colors but I think only in the bigger sizes.
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!!!
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.
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
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.
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, Mr Balzz! Favorite Chatterbait technique would be slow rolling a 3/4 Oz off deep (10' in FL) hydrilla lines. Give it a reel rip every now and then. Hold on!
Great video man! You are one of the You Tubers that has helped me rebuild my knowledge and arsenal for bass fishing so thank you! I am going to put more time when the season opens up here in Ontario Canada, which unfortunately is not till June for Bass, to use a CFL football chatterbait. I picked up a few last season on sale to use like your comment of a wobblehead. Unfortunately my New Fish and Ski boat came 2 weeks late and I had to rig all the electronics myself so did not have the time to put the work in on thr CFL chatterbait but it should be awesome this season! Thanks for the great content! Pete
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
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.
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.
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.
Another banger video! I'm about to put a couple of 3/8 oz Z-Man 5/0 Eye Strike Chatterbaits to work, and slip a GAMBLER BIG EZ on it in Florida Five-O. Going after some snook and big bass over here in Jupiter! Starting to fish chatterbaits and will be getting some of those chatter-minis in the lineup too.
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 TH-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’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👍😜🍀🎣🍀
You are so on the money with this video Mikey. Spunk Shad is all I use,all sizes, all colors I've found the 1/2 oz Jackhammer in white with the 6.5 Ghost white Spunk Shad is my big fish lure for all seasons. The Mini with the 3.5 Spunk catches numbers and occasionally a bigun. I've yet to buy a Stealth Blade as I don't fish clear water very often. Great video Mikey how's Bogs?
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 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 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!
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’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.
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 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..
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!
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!
I really enjoy they way you explained How you use your baits. I fish Chatterbaits alot. I usually fish then with a stop n go. If not working this I'll burn it & stop part way Bach.
I just got my new SLX in the mail today. I hadn't used the older version so I don't have any to really compare it to, but it casts really well on my first trip out. I'm using it for Chatterbaits as well in the 6:3:1. I was using a 7:1:1 reel but my ADHD doesn't let me slow down and I end up missing bites. I'm using 17lb Sunline Assassin but I think I'm go down to 15.
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 🎣💪🏽
I’m in Western Pennsylvania and the Lakes I fish I’m always using the 3/4 ounce chatter bait! I’m gonna have to try the mini. Hope I’m lucky enough to be picked to have your chatter package sent to me!
I fish highland reservoirs, so bouncing off rocks and limbs is the ticket. I sure wish this video had come out last week before our derby 🤷🏼♂️ Great tips and I am going to be putting em to use 👊😎
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
I had the pelican getaway pedal kayak for about a year and it is thinner material then most hdpe yaks but it's still stout. I beached it in rocks all the time and it had scratches but it held up well. The rails are just riveted on but they're on good. I loved my pelican but ended up getting a prop drive perception crank for 1k so I couldn't pass it up. Awesome yak you got there and I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.
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.
AWESOME VIDEO BROTHER, the chatter bait has became one of my high confidence Lures, I have ordered several of the mini max and can’t wait to put them to use but up till then I have use the crosseyes mainly and like it a lot especially around wood
Great information thank you. I just started trying the little Chatter Bait last year in the Local River here in Virginia and there’s a lot of Rocks and just slow creeping it across I’ve had it smacked dozens of times but no catches to Log yet, still Optimistic though. Stay safe my Friend Semper Fidelis
I know you said you're not a fan of fishing it on 12 lb, but I found with 12 lb fluorocarbon the blade move at a lot slower retrieve. Works really well when I'm pulling along the bottom on the Susquehanna River. 14 lb fluorocarbon doesn't even want to work for it doing that, it's too heavy of a line and I have to move the ChatterBait mini faster
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.
Best trailer I ever found was the Yoto Worm. Karl's Baits - I think it's a proprietary brand for his "Club". It's pretty basic but it will work when nothing else seems to do it for them. The whippy little tail doesn't last long though.
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 them is rippin through grass. Although I’ll have to try the new crank style sometime
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!
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!
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.
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’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 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!
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
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
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 am a bank angler with the grandson. Love throwing a chatterbait as a search bait. Covers water and comes through most cover!!
Tight lines!!!
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!
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 TH-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!
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 👍
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.
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!!!
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 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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
Awesome video … just bought the trailers, already had the mini. I like the mini better than the jackhammer!
Love all your videos!
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 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!
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.
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 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.
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
Hog framer spunk shad are great trailers for The chatterbaits. The action they put off. My number 1 trailer
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!
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!!!
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!
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!!
I’ve caught giants on isolated wood cover with the jackhammer. Love the videos and tips!
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.
I love the jackhammer but haven’t tried the mini. The out of the box thinking is what you do best Mikey!!!
Great video as always. You spoil us. Love the mini with the 3.5 Spunk Shad. I have yet to try throwing these into wood. Oh, well! Missile is also making Spunk Shads so some different colors but I think only in the bigger sizes.
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!!!
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.
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
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.
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.
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've been doing this with the ChatterBait mini for 2 years now. Good advice
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
Great video, Mr Balzz! Favorite Chatterbait technique would be slow rolling a 3/4 Oz off deep (10' in FL) hydrilla lines. Give it a reel rip every now and then. Hold on!
Love the crosseyez, they start up almost as fast as the jack hammer and are great in cover
Great video man! You are one of the You Tubers that has helped me rebuild my knowledge and arsenal for bass fishing so thank you! I am going to put more time when the season opens up here in Ontario Canada, which unfortunately is not till June for Bass, to use a CFL football chatterbait. I picked up a few last season on sale to use like your comment of a wobblehead. Unfortunately my New Fish and Ski boat came 2 weeks late and I had to rig all the electronics myself so did not have the time to put the work in on thr CFL chatterbait but it should be awesome this season! Thanks for the great content! Pete
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
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.
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??
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 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.
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
Another banger video! I'm about to put a couple of 3/8 oz Z-Man 5/0 Eye Strike Chatterbaits to work, and slip a GAMBLER BIG EZ on it in Florida Five-O. Going after some snook and big bass over here in Jupiter! Starting to fish chatterbaits and will be getting some of those chatter-minis in the lineup too.
I love fishing it around Lilly pad steams. Thanks for the great information.
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 TH-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’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👍😜🍀🎣🍀
You are so on the money with this video Mikey. Spunk Shad is all I use,all sizes, all colors I've found the 1/2 oz Jackhammer in white with the 6.5 Ghost white Spunk Shad is my big fish lure for all seasons. The Mini with the 3.5 Spunk catches numbers and occasionally a bigun. I've yet to buy a Stealth Blade as I don't fish clear water very often. Great video Mikey how's Bogs?
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 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 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!
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’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.
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 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..
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!
Great video. I like fishing rivers around big boulders. Smallies hammer the JH.
Mini max for sure! Chartreuse and white! Good video buddy
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
I really enjoy they way you explained
How you use your baits. I fish Chatterbaits alot. I usually fish then with a stop n go. If not working this I'll burn it & stop part way Bach.
I just got my new SLX in the mail today. I hadn't used the older version so I don't have any to really compare it to, but it casts really well on my first trip out. I'm using it for Chatterbaits as well in the 6:3:1. I was using a 7:1:1 reel but my ADHD doesn't let me slow down and I end up missing bites. I'm using 17lb Sunline Assassin but I think I'm go down to 15.
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 🎣💪🏽
I’m in Western Pennsylvania and the Lakes I fish I’m always using the 3/4 ounce chatter bait! I’m gonna have to try the mini. Hope I’m lucky enough to be picked to have your chatter package sent to me!
I fish highland reservoirs, so bouncing off rocks and limbs is the ticket. I sure wish this video had come out last week before our derby 🤷🏼♂️ Great tips and I am going to be putting em to use 👊😎
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
I had the pelican getaway pedal kayak for about a year and it is thinner material then most hdpe yaks but it's still stout. I beached it in rocks all the time and it had scratches but it held up well. The rails are just riveted on but they're on good. I loved my pelican but ended up getting a prop drive perception crank for 1k so I couldn't pass it up. Awesome yak you got there and I'm looking forward to seeing it in action.
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.
AWESOME VIDEO BROTHER, the chatter bait has became one of my high confidence Lures, I have ordered several of the mini max and can’t wait to put them to use but up till then I have use the crosseyes mainly and like it a lot especially around wood
Great information thank you. I just started trying the little Chatter Bait last year in the Local River here in Virginia and there’s a lot of Rocks and just slow creeping it across I’ve had it smacked dozens of times but no catches to Log yet, still Optimistic though. Stay safe my Friend Semper Fidelis
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.
Thanks for the tips. I use the chatterbait many ways and situations. Did not throw a mini yet though. I will soon though.
I know you said you're not a fan of fishing it on 12 lb, but I found with 12 lb fluorocarbon the blade move at a lot slower retrieve. Works really well when I'm pulling along the bottom on the Susquehanna River. 14 lb fluorocarbon doesn't even want to work for it doing that, it's too heavy of a line and I have to move the ChatterBait mini faster
I like slow rolling shallow n giving it a couple quick pops pause let it fall then start reeling it again. Thanks brother
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.
Bro the way I love to fish that bait is from the back deck of your boat. Tight lines homie.
Best trailer I ever found was the Yoto Worm. Karl's Baits - I think it's a proprietary brand for his "Club". It's pretty basic but it will work when nothing else seems to do it for them. The whippy little tail doesn't last long though.