If you haven’t thrown a Chatterbait, you’re missing out. These bladed jigs first made waves when Bryan Thrift dominated a Lake Okeechobee tournament in 2006—and anglers have been chasing that magic ever since. The secret lies in the vibrating blade that cuts through grass and perfectly mimics fleeing baitfish or crawfish. In those grassy flats and ambush spots where bass love to hide, a Chatterbait can trigger bites when other jigs get ignored. Let’s take a look at how Chatterbaits all started.

What is Chatterbait?

The ChatterBait rage all began back in 2006 when angler Bryan Thrift drilled 10 bass weighing 36 pounds, 9 ounces to win the Stren Series Southeast Division event on Lake Okeechobee. After winning, Bryan Thrift commented, "Ron Davis invented the original ChatterBait in Greenwood, South Carolina, and I remember seeing my first one and knowing it had potential. Once I used it, I obviously could tell it had a place in bass fishing with all of the vibration." Today Bryan always has a ChatterBait on a rod, or two for every tournament.

Another key spot in ChatterBait history was in 2014 when Brett Hite put on a clinic at Lake Seminole where he amassed a whopping four-day total of 97-pounds, 10-ounces to capture the title and $100,500 in prize money. In 2019, Brett again used a Z-Man Jack Hammer to land a Major League Fishing (MLF) record setting bass of 9-pounds, 12-ounces.

Although the bait was first introduced by Ron Davis as early as 2003 to some friends, in 2007, Z-Man acquired the ChatterBait and has since added more distinction and changes to further advance the bait. Other players have since entered the blade bait lure world, with the Picasso Shock Blade, homemade ones on the internet to KastKing's version of the bladed jig as well.

How a Bladed Jig Works

The most important aspect of any bladed jig is the start of the blade vibrating after your cast, after ripping and pausing through grass, or a drop back. What I mean is the time it takes for the blade to begin its initial vibration. The most direct contact the bladed bait has with the jig head is going to mean the faster it starts up. Most of today's bladed jigs offer what Z-Man has patented, with modifications to make the attachment of the jig head to the blade very similar.

Spinnerbait VS Chatterbait

Do you remember way back when the go-to lure for bass fishing was the spinnerbait? I do, and I used to throw that lure every time I was fishing for bass. In fact, spinnerbaits accounted for many pro bass circuit wins, and was always touted as one of the best bass baits around. Fast forward to the advent of the Chatterbait by Z-Man, and other blade style baits like the KastKing MadBite Bladed Jig. These lures, as I have heard other anglers comment, are like spinnerbaits on steroids. Not that they are overly large, but their ability to act as more than one bait, and cover a variety of different situations make them the new go-to lure for bass. To score quality bass with bladed jigs, all you have to do is fish them!

How to Fish With a Chatterbait for Bass

Fishing chatterbaits isn't just about casting and reeling everywhere. Start by casting near cover or obstacles, let the chatterbait sink just a second, then start a steady retrieve. The secret is the rhythm, mix it up with quick twitches, pauses, or slow rolls depending on how active the bass are.

For reaction strikes, a fast, ripping retrieve through grass can provoke aggressive bites, while a slower, steady roll works well in open water or when fish are less active. Make sure the trailer moves naturally behind the blade, with crawfish colors adding punch in muddy water, and shad or perch colors matching local forage. Adjust your rod tip accordingly, raising it slightly to keep the chatterbait vibrating.

With practice, you will learn to read the bass—when to speed up, when to pause, and how to use the trailer to your advantage. A well-fished chatterbait can be deadly in almost any bass situation.

Chatterbait Trailers Tips

The next critical aspect of the bladed jig is the trailer. Trailers come in all sizes and shapes, but there are several that will really make the bladed jig shine where bass action is concerned. There are two types of trailers I like to use on bladed jigs. The first would be the crawfish imitator of some sort. The Big Bite Baits Fightin' Frog which comes in 3 and 4 inch models is my favorite. The paddle tail type trailers are best used with crawfish colors which you are trying to imitate. Moving to the swimming style trailers, Keitech Swim, Yamamoto Zako or the author's favorite, a Berkley Power Stinger. These trailers will give you a large profile, and you know what that could mean – big bass. The swimming trailers are best suited for colors matching forage in the lake – shad, perch, bluegills etc.

Where to Fish a Chatterbait?

When bass fishing, the chatterbait can be used in almost any situation. Pre spawn, spawn, post spawn, cold water, warm water, heavy or light cover, grass fields, stumps and docks. If there are bass in hiding, the chatterbait will get them biting.

A few good areas I like to use chatterbaits:

• Mouths of creeks or points
• Grass areas close to deeper water
• Lily Pad Fields
• Under Docks

Best Chatterbait Rod and Reel Setup

There are a lot of different rod and reel combos that will sling bladed jigs for bass fishing. From KastKing is the Royale Legend Pro 7-foot, moderate, fast-medium-bladed jig Casting Rod paired with the MgTi Elite Baitcasting Reel. This combo offers anglers the perfect balance and length, plus fish stopping power to tame any bass. The 7.0:1 gear ratio makes it easy to reel it back to the boat for another cast. With a maximum drag of 18 pounds, this reel delivers serious drag control, allowing you to pull even a giant bass out of thick cover or grass without losing control.On the line end, I'll stick with KastKing Kovert Fluorocarbon in either 15 or 20-pound test. I like the low stretch and sinking ability of the fluorocarbon, plus the low visibility. If however I am working a very thick lily pad field or matted grass I will use KastKing Hammer in 30-pound test.

The KastKing Royale Legend Pro series rod made specifically for bladed jigs is a win and will surely make your bass fishing days a pleasure. Hit the web now and grab one, and don't forget to get line too.