Chatterbait Chatter

[smljaw]

I was talking to a buddy of mine the other day. He was going on and on about the chatterbait and telling me how it won a recent tournament he was fishing, etc. At this point I'm thinking about buy 1 or 2 and trying them out. Does anyone have experience with using these baits? What colors and sizes seem to work best? Do certain brands perform better than others? Where in the Lexington area can I purchase them?

All opinions are appreciated. Thanks!

[Danny]

smljaw....

I've not caught any smallies on one yet, but I have had pretty good success with them on large mouths.

One thing, I don't consider this a deep water bait. It seems to come through cover extremely well, and is pretty weedless.

They tend to tear a large whole in the mouth of the fish. That obviously leads to the possibly of losing the fish in jumps. I would also suggest using a trailer hook. I had several short strikes, and believe I would have had more luck with the trailer hook.

I think it will be great fishing over grass beds.

I have thrown the white/chartruese so far exclusively. I also have one that is translucent with a bluish tint. I think this will also be good for this fall when the bait fish school in the bays and creeks.

Get a couple and try them, I personally believe you will like them.

Danny

[mhall]

Hey Danny I to have noticed the big hole they tear in the mouth, I wonder why that is I thought it was just me.

[Danny]

>Hey Danny I to have noticed
>the big hole they tear
>in the mouth, I wonder
>why that is I thought
>it was just me.


What I think is that the bait uses a big diameter hook, and when the fish fights so hard, it tears the thin membrane where the hook is generally penetrated. If the hook is in the upper portion of the mouth, then I don't think it would be that big a tear, however, since the hook has, at least on each of the fish I caught, been in the very thin membraned area around the mouth, and that allows for it to tear easily.

Danny

[apextrail]

Noticed the hole also. Started using a treble style stinger hook and hook ups seemed to increase. Need to continually check the trailer as it tends to get fouled in the stinger hook.

[psprowler]

I caught a dink largemouth on one the other day - and caught several "good" fish on a 2.5 inch grub on a ball-head jig - go figure.

[apextrail]

I have thrown pumpkin,white,chartruse and black/blue on KY lake and had moderate success with the pumpkin. They are not a "wonder bait" by any means but will work in certain situations. I typically throw them like a spinner bait. With all the hype I expcted the fish to jump all over the bait but it just did not happen for me. Worth a try but keep your expectations in check. That is my opinion.

[trentonc2000]

I've caught a few on an imitation chatterbait on KY lake both swimming it and also hopping it on the ledges.

I do know that Grampa's in Clarksville has the real chatterbaits now.

[Cobra190]

MK Outdoors just iside of Paris was carrying one of the knock off brands. Beleive they were $5.99

[fishbum]

Cedar Creek Outfitters has them and so does Dale Hollow One Stop. Cedar Creek OF is up by Cedar Creek Lake.
Jim

[fishin350]

Dick's Sporting Goods has them I think they are 5.99.

[Barry]

I think backwaters has them, you may want to give them a call. As for colors it depends on what the 'bait' and water color. I haven't really smoked them on it. Hope this helps.