Chatter Baits Versus Spinner Baits - First Impressions

I recently tried out a Z-man chatter bait on a recent bass fishing mission and wanted to post my first impressions of chatter baits versus spinner baits.  I was surprised how different chatter baits fished than spinner baits as I expected them to fish similarly based on their size and application, and thought folks might be interested in a few observations.  What pros/cons or differences in performance do you see between the two baits?

Spinner baits (big ones - double or triple willow, or similar, designed for bass):
--Good ability to descend during retrieve (following bottom contour)
--Good ability to fish a variety of depths
--Reasonably weedless, but susceptible to non-attached weeds and scum catching on the blades
--High water resistance
--Speed of retrieve limited due to water resistance
--High vibration
--High flash
--Not good with snap swivels (open eye designs)
--Good for cast and retrieve applications only

Chatter baits:
--Limited ability to descend during retrieve due to angle of chatter lip
--Less adaptable to a variety of depths (need to let it free fall to sink to depth)
--Better resistance to weeds than spinner baits
--Medium/low water resistance
--Speeds from low to high
--Medium vibration, but higher frequency "chatter" than spinner baits
--Medium/low flash
--Good with snap swivels due to closed eye
--Can be retrieved in a variety of manners - direct, popped, jigged, etc.

Just some preliminary thoughts...I think the chatter bait IMO, based on only one solid afternoon of use, is more applicable in shallow water situations and slightly less versatile than the spinner bait, in general.  Interested to hear what others think.

I think the chatter bait IMO, based on only one solid afternoon of use, is more applicable in shallow water situations and slightly less versatile than the spinner bait, in general.  Interested to hear what others think.

Keep in mind not all bladed jigs fish alike.  There has been enough evolution with this style of bait you can fish them effectively in almost any habitat a bass is willing to occupy.  Z-man alone has 15 different models.  My favorites... Z-man Jackhammer, TW Custom, Freedom CFL and the Picasso Shockblade. 

I tend to fish spinnerbaits mostly near the surface, not real deep.
I've always felt chatterbaits were more for the bottom, but thats just me.
Obviously, there are many ways to fish a lure.
If I had to choose one though, it'd be spinners all the way, for me.

I've caught a lot of bass on chatterbaits and 0 on spinnerbaits! My goal this year is to catch on the on the spinnerbait cause i have like $200 worth of them lol

I think the chatter bait IMO, based on only one solid afternoon of use, is more applicable in shallow water situations and slightly less versatile than the spinner bait, in general.  Interested to hear what others think.

Keep in mind not all bladed jigs fish alike.  There has been enough evolution with this style of bait you can fish them effectively in almost any habitat a bass is willing to occupy.  Z-man alone has 15 different models.  My favorites... Z-man Jackhammer, TW Custom, Freedom CFL and the Picasso Shockblade.

Good point!  I don't know the model that I used, but I assume that the angle of the chatter lip on the front of the bait played into my limited success trying to fish deeper.  I'd like to try some other models, especially if they can be fished similarly to a spinnerbait.  At this time of year I like to throw the bait right up on the riprap and then retrieve about 1 ft off the bottom, to depths of about 7 ft at most.

As for snap swivels and spinner baits - I agree they are not needed and should not be used due to the risk of fouling on the cast, but I do like the option of changing baits very quickly when I want to.  I also fish braid pretty much exclusively, so every time I tie another bait on the mono leader gets smaller...it's a convenience thing...

Good point!  I don't know the model that I used, but I assume that the angle of the chatter lip on the front of the bait played into my limited success trying to fish deeper.  I'd like to try some other models, especially if they can be fished similarly to a spinnerbait.  At this time of year I like to throw the bait right up on the riprap and then retrieve about 1 ft off the bottom, to depths of about 7 ft at most.

Try the Z-man Freedom CFL.  It's my go to for fishing around rocky structure when I want to hug bottom. 

As for snap swivels and spinner baits - I agree they are not needed and should not be used due to the risk of fouling on the cast, but I do like the option of changing baits very quickly when I want to.  I also fish braid pretty much exclusively, so every time I tie another bait on the mono leader gets smaller...it's a convenience thing...

I like to tie direct.  Leader is cheap and it might take me 20 seconds longer to tie on.  I'd think having a swivel between me and the bait would decrease my sensitivity to how the bait is working and probably prevent the bait from working it's best. It also introduces another point of possible failure and catching more weeds.

Always thought of chatter baits as a surface lure..after all its designed to make noise and attract the fish, similar to the old " wood choppers" that were meant to imitate baby ducks or injured frogs.  Never occurred to use them deeper.