Are you new to the world of bass fishing or the lure known as a Chatterbait? Do you want to learn a new and easy way to tie these baits on, thus allowing you to quickly get back into the fishing action? If so, you have come to the right place. In this article we will briefly define the lure known as a Chatterbait, outline some of the advantages of using the bait, and show you a step by step method for tying on one of these baits that will truly make the fish go wild.
What Is a Chatterbait?
A Chatterbait is a type of lure or jig that is used in fishing. Specifically, it is a type of lure or jig that is used mostly in bass fishing, with a unique shape and many different features. Today, a Chatterbait can refer to the original “Chatterbait” that first bore this name, or other baits that are similar in style, shape and function.
Originally developed by the Z Man Company, a Chatterbait is one that combines the flash of a spinner bait, the vibration of a crank bait and the snag resistance of a jig into a single fishing lure. The patented blade design of the Chatterbait creates an intense vibrating action which is known to attract fish. It is this vibrating action that is seen as the key to this incredible bait—the reason it consistently entices explosive reaction bites when bass fishing. One of the advantages of the Chatterbait is that it is completely “weedless” (won’t get caught up in the weeds) because the hook always remains in the upright position. This enables anglers to throw the bait into heavy cover where fish are known to live and feed.
A very versatile jig, the Chatterbait can be worked in shallow or deep water and in a variety of ways. Some anglers may opt to remove the skirt and trailer from the Chatterbait and try a soft plastic jerk bait on the end instead. This combination is known to work great on schooling fish. And when fish are holding close to the bottom of the lake or pond, you can try to add a spider jig or creature bait. This will allow you to hop, bounce or swim the bait around deep cover for a vibrating, deep water assault.
A Chatterbait is essentially a bladed jig—a jig with a blade attached to the top. For reference, a jig has two parts: a lead sinker (or head) with a hook and a soft body molded around the hook or a skirt made of metal or plastic foils. The sinker, usually made of some type of metal, typically lead, weighs the hook down while the soft body or skirt deceives the fish into thinking it is food. Jigs are designed to move vertically, as opposed to spinner baits which move horizontally, mimicking the movement of a small fish or prey. Jigs stay more at the bottom unless you roll the spool.
A Chatterbait is basically a hybrid between a jig, spinner bait, and a crank bait. They resemble the sinker and body of a jig, have the metal blade found in spinner baits, and boast a vibrating motion to attract fish, which is a characteristic of a crank bait. Most professional anglers on the bass circuit now carry some form of a Chatterbait in their tackle box.
The Advantages of Using a Chatterbait
One of the great things about a Chatterbait is that it features a unique hexagonal (six-sided) blade on top of the head and a vibrating motion that is made by the blade once it is propelled through the water and hops off the head of the jig and reverses itself quite violently. Since most of these hexagonal blades are silver in color, the pivoting of the blade in the water produces a very bright “flash,” which attracts the attention of nearby fish. Moreover, the vibration of the jig creates consecutive pulses in a short time without requiring the angler to pull the line—something that cannot be done with other lures.
The vibrating and flashing features of a Chatterbait, then, are ideal for fishing in muddy or murky waters where soil debris obstructs the natural light. According to fisherman who regularly fish in deep cover, where these conditions primarily exist, Chatterbaits are absolutely advantageous for fishing these situations.
Here are just a few more of the advantages of using a Chatterbait:
Drives Bass and other Big Fish Wild
The jerky, vibrating movement of the Chatterbait, as we alluded to earlier, will mimic the movement of wounded prey when pulled through the water. This, in turn, drives the bass wild as they believe they now have access to an easy meal. Even more, the flashing created by the pivoting blade scatters short, thrusting beams of light in all directions, making the bait intensely visible to all fish.
Deflects Debris
The blade of the Chatterbait isn’t just for flashing purposes. The semi-sharp blade also deflects debris and prevents the bait from being snagged by weeds and bushes.
Facilitates Smooth Casting
The streamlined shape of the Chatterbait makes casting a breeze. Even in high winds, your Chatterbait will still land on the spot you intended to hit when casting the lure into the water. Moreover, since the weight of a Chatterbait falls mainly to the front, where the blade and sinker are located, the weight of the jig is becomes unequally distributed, with the heaviest falling on the head part. When you cast the Chatterbait, then, the weight-forward movement will help with your casting distance and accuracy.
Easy Retrieval
With a Chatterbait you don’t have to worry about rough retrievals are getting snagged on your way in. A Chatterbait will not only attract bass in a matter of seconds, but you can also retrieve it quickly when you want to fetch a slow fish in seconds. The fast, vibrating crank bait profile of a Chatterbait allows it to push and force water out of its way, resulting in swift movement through the water.
How to Tie a Chatterbait (beginner’s guide)
Now that you know what a Chatterbait is and the advantages to using one on your next bass fishing outing, let us now talk about how to tie on a Chatterbait. Many people may find it challenging to tie a Chatterbait, but with this step-by-step guide we think you can master this important skill in no time whatsoever.
Here are the steps you will want to follow when tying on a Chatterbait:
Step One: Grab Some Fishing line
You will need to have some type of fishing line at the ready in order to tie on your Chatterbait. Here you can use any type of line you choose—monofilament or braided—and any test you desire, but make sure to match the line you are using to the proper fishing conditions you are likely to experience.
Step Two: Pass the Line Through
Holding your Chatterbait by the hexagonal blade, pass the line through the eyelet of the lure. Make sure to pull enough line across the hole so that you will later be able to suspend the lure from the bottom of the fishing area. If you’re fishing in open water, you should secure about 4-5 feet of line, but if you only plan to fish in shallow water, 1-2 feet of line should be enough. Leave a few inches in the line because we will later form a loop.
Step Three: Form a Loop
Pass the end of the fishing line back through the eye of the Chatterbait to form a loop. Next, take the looped end of the line and create an “overhand” knot by passing the free end of the loop around the standing part and then through it.
Step Four: Pass Through the Hoop
Pull the line down gently through the eyelet, leaving ample space in the loop. Now, pass the Chatterbait back through the loop to ensure a secure tie.
Step Five: Secure the Knot
In this final step of the process, the loop should now be underneath the hole of the Chatterbait. To get a secure connection, moisten the line with water or saliva, which will also prevent tangles and stiff line. Pull both ends of the line—the line that is doubled through the Chatterbait and the line on the spool—gently yet firmly together to secure the knot, and cut the line from the spool using fingernail clippers or needle nose pliers.
As an optional step at the end of the knot tying process, you can take the free end of the line and pass it back through the eye of the hook, pulling down as it goes through. This will pull the knot on the inside of the hook eye so that it now stands straight and is protected against anything you might scrape when fishing at your chosen locale.
Congratulations—you now know how to properly tie and secure a Chatterbait, a bait that promises you exciting results on your next fishing outing.
