What is a Chatterbait?
The Chatterbait® is technically the name of a patented bass fishing bladed lure, invented by Ron Davis and produced by Z-Man, a lure manufacturing company in Charleston, SC. This bait is in the classification of "bladed swim jigs" or "vibrating jigs", but often all baits of this type are referred to as "Chatterbaits", which, again, refers specifically to the Z-Man product. This has occurred with other products in the past, Q-tip and Band-Aid come to mind as brand names used to reference cotton swabs and adhesive bandages, respectively. With that being said, a vibrating jig, "the original" of which is the Chatterbait® by Z-Man lures, is like a cross between a spinnerbait and a jig. The blade causes an intense vibration not produced by a traditional spinnerbait, an action that's otherwise impossible to impart to a swim jig, and since it lacks the arm for the blades, it can be fished in places spinnerbaits can't go. The chatterbait has only really been around for about 10 years, so it's relatively new in the bass fishing industry, but it's quickly become a staple for most professional tournament bass anglers.
How, When & Why Fish a Vibrating Jig?
Bass fishing tournament pro Scott Suggs will help you break down what to know before heading out to fish a vibrating jig, including: water color, types of grass, types of trees and more. He talks about color selection for different water colors, including the most popular colors and what to do with lake history as it relates to color. Learn secrets about where & how Scott fishes the Chatterbait around various cover and in different water depths. Scott Suggs talks about what traliers he likes to use, including the bait he designed, Berkley Havoc Scott Suggs' 4" Rocket Craw. Mr. Suggs will discuss his rod, reel and line choices for fishing a vibrating jig. Learn how to customize vibrating jigs, and why Z-man's Chatterbait is ready to fish right out of the package. Also learn:
What size/weight of chatterbait Scott likes best
How to use a torch and power drill to improve your chatterbait performance
How to increase your hookup percentage by changing your fishing rod choice
Selecting blade size and shape and how it affects the action and depth of the bait
Additional Chatterbait Fishing Resources
Be sure to check out Why I LOVE Vibrating Jigs & Vibrating Jigs.
Up Next in Chatterbait Bass Fishing
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How to Fish a Chatterbait Around Gras...
Covering water quickly is one of the best ways to locate areas with a large number of bass. Very few baits do that as effectively as a Chatterbait – especially in the grass. Bladed jigs allow anglers to imitate both crawfish and baitfish, making them a versatile bait for any conditions. In this s...
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The Versatile Chatterbait: Guide for ...
The Z-Man Chatterbait isn’t new on the fishing scene anymore. However, it’s still dominating tournament trails nationwide due to its ability to catch fish in almost every condition.
“I would venture to guess there is nobody that has in the great United States of America that has logged more hours... -
Chatterbait Breakdown - John Hunter
In this installment of the Bass University on the water, professional angler John Hunter, known for his involvement in Major League Fishing (MLF), provides a comprehensive breakdown of the techniques involved in fishing a chatter bait, also referred to as a "bladed jig.”
During his presentation, ...
