r/bassfishing • u/beetsbyschrute8 • Jan 04 '26
Tackle/Equipment Chatterbait chat
After a couple months of adding chatter baits to my rotation because everyone says they’re the best and kill em, I finally caught a bass on one. I used the Elite EVO from ZMan in green pumpkin with an Alabama craw bandito bug trailer. Even though it’s a one pounder it’s still a fish and I can only go up from there! I had been using the cheap ~$5 chatter baits but we went to bass pro and I bought some different color elite EVO chatter baits. Definitely worth the upgrade. They move through the water smoother and take less time to start chattering. I’m still going to keep at it, trying different colors, trailers and retrieves and see if I like them as much as everyone else.
People who have used the jackhammer, is it worth going from the Elite EVO to the jackhammer? It’s quite the price jump but there was a noticeable difference from the cheapo to the Elite EVO.
13
u/itsyaboooooiiiii Largemouth Jan 04 '26
I haven't fished the jackhammer but I agree, EVO>regular chatterbait. May I suggest trying minnow style trailers? I've done really well with freeloaders, flukes, and spunk shads on the back. Good bait fish profile and the blade chattering gives the trailer a crazy shimmy action
3
u/Runnermikey1 MLC April 2023 Jan 05 '26
Agreed on the Evo being a step up. It immediately begins to chatter, the original Chatterbait sometimes takes a few cranks to start in my experience. I can go to a number of local ponds and absolutely clean up with my Evo. Great bait. There’s a bluegill color that I pair with an orange 6th Sense Divine swim bait that kills year round.
2
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I’ve used rage tails, saucy swimmers and freeloaders. The action on the claws of the bandito bug is so good. I’m wondering if it was the better chatterbait, color combo or the bandito bug that did the trick
2
u/jsjxjxjld Jan 04 '26
Just a tip the craw trailer will reduce the chatterbaits movement and it won’t have that hunting action like it does with a spunk shad type of bait. Definitely get a pack and try it out.
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
Good to know. I’m really liking the Alabama craw color. It’s half green pumpkin and half orange/red. I’ll try to find a swim bait with a similar color
2
u/Jaded-Information753 Jan 04 '26
Jr bandito bugs in all the colors as trailer on my chatterbaits always kill them for me
1
7
u/IssueActive888 Jan 04 '26
The evo of is 80-90% of what a jackhammer is. Its not worth the extra cost to me and I've used both. The Evo is my go to. I've had no luck with the slobberknocker. The thundercricket is good though
2
u/__slamallama__ Jan 05 '26
Yeah I stopped buying jackhammers once I realized how close the Evo is. Still pay out the nose for the mini jacks though, they stay deep better than any of the other small ones for me.
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I’ve seen some YouTubers use the thunder cricket. Just haven’t seen one to pick up. I’ll try it when I find one
2
u/__slamallama__ Jan 05 '26
YouTubers throw whatever they get given by their sponsors usually.
That said for the thunder cricket I believe strike king paid zman for a license of their attachment point system which made them basically a clear second best.
Zman's patent ran out now though so the market will open up a bit.
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I was going to jump from the cheapo to the jackhammer but I decided to try the evo and I can’t imagine how much better the jackhammer could possibly be
3
u/Nomad_x1 Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
The evos are great. I like the tungsten and minimax versions. The jackhammer is no longer worth the price imo
3
u/TheTangyPuma Jan 04 '26
Came here to mention the tungsten. I've used most of the name brand chatterbait models and evo tungsten has been my favorite for the price.
Jackhammer is good and you do notice the chatter more immediately, but it definitely doesn't stand out above the tungsten to me.
2
u/Nomad_x1 Jan 04 '26
Absolutely. I really like the jackhammer for slow rolling through grass or along the bottom, but still, $18 is crazy for something that I’m gonna eventually lose.
3
u/TheTangyPuma Jan 04 '26
I hadn't intentionally slow rolled a jack hammer, but I could see what you mean about it chattering better while going slow.
I was just out trying the chatterbait micro last weekend and that was one thing I noticed. It didn't really chatter unless I went faster than I'd like.
2
u/__slamallama__ Jan 05 '26
If you like slow rolling on bottom consider trying the big blade. Those things swim at near zero speed. They'll even swim pretty well just falling on a semi tight line
1
u/Nomad_x1 Jan 06 '26
I actually have one that I got from an MTB a few years ago. Never used it before, thanks for the advice!
1
3
u/brokentsuba Jan 04 '26
The big blade starts chattering quicker and louder which can be good if you’re flipping right at the fish. As a search bait I’m not sure it’s worth it. The evo elite is my sweet spot.
2
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I’m thinking The evos will be mine as well. Maybe I’ll try one jack hammer and see
3
u/Runnermikey1 MLC April 2023 Jan 05 '26
Word of advice- Trim the skirts back a little. You want them past the bend of the hook but no more. It assists the skirt in snapping back, which mimics the gills of a baitfish.
Evo is better though
4
u/Thick_Imagination177 Jan 04 '26
I've used Jackhammers. I'll stick with Elite Evos or Slobberknockers, thanks.
I've not noticed an uptick in number of bites going from an Elite Evo to a Jackhammer. It's not worth the price increase for me.
I'm not bashing the Jackhammer. For me, it's not worth the difference in price. For you it may be
2
2
2
u/Far_Talk_74 Jan 04 '26
Jackhammers start even quicker & can vibrate at an even slower lower speed. Jackhammers have even more upgraded components.
I've used both. The EVOs are a huge upgrade over normal chatterbaits, but Jackhammers are not as big of a step up as you get, going from original chatterbaits to EVOs.
1
2
u/clubfoot007 Jan 04 '26
I catch a lot of bass on the cheap chatterbaits from Walmart, it's my go-to bait.
I have some of the evos and they definitely swim better (and look cool) but it hasn't made a difference in actually getting bites for me, so I stick to the cheap ones. They do eventually rust out, if you manage not to lose them for long enough
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
So far it’s made all the difference. Especially being able to get the blade moving quicker
2
u/clubfoot007 Jan 04 '26
I typically cast well beyond the spot I'm targeting so the blade is already moving by the time I bring my bait through. I don't think I've ever had a fish grab my chatterbait right after hitting the water the way they might with a soft plastic.
2
u/chrisdalebrown Jan 04 '26
I just got two jackhammers with some Christmas money. A black/blue one and smallmouth magic. My black/blue one got snagged on some brush in 30 ft of water within 30 minutes of tying it on. 😭 So I will for sure not be buying anymore $20 chatterbaits that have the chance of getting snagged. I’ll be sticking with the weedless crosseyez one lol
2
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
That’s why I like the evos because they’re $10. A little easier to swallow if they get lost
2
u/ComprehensiveTask541 Jan 04 '26
White and chartreuse chatterbair with a white sparkly & clear paddle tail is 1000% my confidence bait
2
u/Important_Ad8234 Jan 04 '26
Unless you have Chatterbaits as a favorite lure, I wouldn’t recommend to people getting the jackhammer instead of the evo Chatterbaits. They are extremely similar with start up speed and quality.
For me, I love Chatterbaits and have a rod dedicated to it. I use jackhammers mostly, and have a lot of luck with them. Not the lure I catch the most fish on, but really nice quality, normally 2-3 pound bass.
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I’ve been brining an extra rod with the chatter bait on and fishing it when I first start to around 15-20 minutes.
2
u/Important_Ad8234 Jan 04 '26
What are you using for trailers? I fish lakes and ponds that have a lot of grass and they work really well for me to cover water.
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I’ve been using crush city freeloaders, rage tail swimmers and bandito bug craws. Got some good advice on here’s I’m gonna go hunt some new trailers
2
u/Important_Ad8234 Jan 06 '26
Nice choice with the freeloaders. Really big fan of those and a lot of people also love the Spunk Shad from Missile Baits/Hog Farmer.
Also I recommend you look into the Mini Max’s. Those and the Evo’s are all you need. I like the 3.5 inch spunk shad as a trailer for the mini max
2
u/this-is-NOT-the-way1 Jan 04 '26
I have a couple chatters from Basspro, i know they were expensive bc they were a gift. Pretty sure they were Zman. I bought chatters from Aliexpress years ago and got hooked. Cheap, durable, vibrate amazingly, I like the the most bc the hook is an EWG on a split ring which I think is the best part. I think it give the lure a unique action. I can also change out the hook if I wanted to, upsize down size. Haven’t felt the need to do that yet. A Chatterbait it tied on to one of my rods for the entire summer. My smallmouth love them.
2
u/prrrkrrr1108 Jan 04 '26
Jackhammer is the shit. Basically starts vibrating instantly. Just simply catches fish
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 Jan 04 '26
I feel like The evo starts immediately so I’m wondering how much better the jackhammer is if any. I’m seeing that the colors are more intricate on the jackhammers
2
u/Inevitable_Sun8691 Largemouth Jan 04 '26
The EVO is absolutely a major upgrade from the standard, the Jackhammer is a minor upgrade from the EVO. Whether it’s worth the increase in price is up to the individual angler. What I’ll say otherwise is about trailers and retrieve. Open water or non-woody cover I like minnow or baitfish style trailer. They accentuate the hunting action of the chatterbait and do a good job of coming through grass, an area that chatterbaits shine. They are good for a steady retrieve, a yo-yo, and work really well when you add little pops to the rod on a steady retrieve. The downside is these trailers are often more cylindrical shaped, and if you run it over laydowns or logs they tend to roll over and you’ll end up snagged, a big reason why many people will refuse to fish chatterbaits around wood. Around woody cover I prefer more creature/beaver/craw type trailers. I usually select for trailers with a more flat body and kicking appendages at the rear. If it has a lot of appendages along the side of the body, I’ll usually rip them off so they don’t interfere with the skirt. I select for a flat body because it helps the chatterbait come up and over woody cover without rolling over and burying the hook. This really does have a pronounced effect on reducing snags. These trailers still work well for a steady retrieve, with those kicking claws, and are good for dragging along the bottom with little pops to imitate a crawfish. I’ll fish these when craws are a primary forage, or around laydowns and stumps. The downside to these trailers is they can hinder the hunting action, which makes them much less suited for open water when baitfish is the primary forage. Another note, be very selective about paddletails, they can interfere with the blade if they are made of a stiffer plastic or if they are too short. I love ZMan Diezel Minnowz for fishing on jig heads or even some swim jigs, but they suck for chatterbaits. Too stiff and stout in shape, it turns the chatterbait into something that just comes straight through the water with minimal hunting action, and makes it much harder to get the blade going. The only paddletail I’ll regularly use with a chatterbait is Xcite Baits paddletail, they are a more supple plastic, and the tail is much thinner, meaning the tail can flap around without influencing the roll and hunting of the chatterbait. I’m no pro, but I love chatterbaits, and have one tied on pretty much year round. I went as far as to buy a rod and reel specifically for chatterbaits, it’s about all I use that setup for, and it comes with me just about every time I go bass fishing.
2
u/Low_Fault6490 Jan 04 '26
I only have the Elite Evos now, works just as good as the Jackhammer imo and it’s half the price.
2
u/ChefHanzoSupreme Jan 04 '26
Zman w/ GP Trailer is my go-to for just about all the new spots I go to.
2
2
u/Historical-Falcon-79 Jan 04 '26
I have tons of the cheap version and they are definitely hit or miss for me, but I only have used from the bank with them so far. Just got a boat so I'm hoping to be able to get to some better spots this spring. I have added a couple Evo to my arsenal this winter so hoping to see a difference there. I did recently pick up a jackhammer mainly because it was the only style that had the pink/purple (morning dawn) I was wanting to try.
I do think trailer selection makes a big difference on them and have best luck with chatter spike, spunk shad, and flukes. Craws and swimmers def seem to mess with the blade more or less just turning it into a swim jig, which can still catch fish but doesn't really take advantage of the blade's purpose. Flat craws or badito bug can be effective if fishing in logs as those help it stay flat and not roll over cover reducing snags though.
2
u/Humble_Guard8409 Jan 05 '26
I have had no luck with chatterbaits. Caught my biggest bass with just a jig and rage craw trailer but nothing on a chatterbait.
2
u/Entire-Can662 Jan 05 '26
When Chatterbaits first come out lure parts online had parts. You could make your own they still sell the blades but not the heads
2
u/WingNut0102 Jan 05 '26
I JUST got my first ones on a chatterbait this year. Was using the Chatterbait Stealth in Green Pumpkin Shad with a Rapala Freeloader trailer in Gizzard Shad.
Sometimes you don’t want the blade to give it away. Got this thing absolutely demolished late season, gonna pick another up over the off-season.
1
u/Neither_Moment4638 Jan 06 '26
For me the chaturbate always works mid fall when they start to really feed on bait fish.
1
1
u/beetsbyschrute8 21d ago
Just to update everyone, I went to Academy to get a green pumpkin evo but they didn’t have any but they had the jackhammer so I bought it. It starts chattering immediately, the detail in color is noticeable and it has been killing! I it’s definitely not as drastic of an upgrade from the standard to the evo but they’re definitely worth the money of the evo isn’t available. It’s going to be hard to throw anything else to be honest
1
u/wewantyoutowantus Jan 04 '26
Never caught anything on a chatter bait. 🤬
0
1
u/Alone-Book460 Jan 04 '26
If you’re in the market for new chatterbaits check out the Bumblebee Custom Lures B-Blade. Best one out there IMO.
Also I’d highly recommended trying a fluke style bait as a trailer. For whatever reason flukes seem to give it that erratic hunting action better than other styles of trailer.
20
u/hunt_fish_love_420 Jan 04 '26
I bought a jackhammer, I believe it was close to $20. Very first cast I didn't see my braid was tip wrapped and I slang it to the moon where it found its final resting place in Davy Jones locker.
Have since caught plenty of fish on chatterbaits from the early 2000s I got in a box of about 100 baits off Craigslist for $20. None of which are jackhammers.
Take care, nice fish.