Do Chatterbaits Work For Saltwater Fishing?
- By: Justin Ritchey
- on
If you’ve never used a chatterbait but you fish in really dirty water, then you’ll want to check this out!
Fishing in dirty water scenarios means you’ll need to create more vibration and flash to get fish to strike.
And a chatterbait can quickly and easily create this presentation for you!
So in this new video, you’ll learn why the Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbait should be added to your tackle box before your next fishing trip.
Check it out below!
The Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbait [VIDEO]
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Click here to get the Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbait
Pros
Great for dirty water and power fishing.
The vibration and flash create that extra action in the water to get fish to strike (even in really murky water).
And yes they definitely work in saltwater!!
Cons
Chatterbaits may not be the best to use over expansive grass flats.
It’s a loud bait so it could spook off fish easily.
And it’s not weedless or snag-proof so you’ll want to be sure you’re not fishing around structure.
Rigging
Because a chatterbait already has some play, I’d recommend using a uni knot or improved clinch knot.
Specs
- Size: 4/0 (The length of the shank of the hook offers more versatility.)
- 3/8 oz (This is a power fishing tool and allows you to fish a little deeper water.)
- Pairs well with any 3 to 5″ soft plastic (Z-Man Minnow Z, Slam Shady Bomber, Gold Digger, Alabama Leprechaun)
Chatterbaits were made for power fishing and dirty water!
If you want to catch a ton of fish in these scenarios, I highly recommend checking out the Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbaits.
Have any further questions about the Z-Man Eye Strike Chatterbait??
Let me know in the comments below!
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In the majority of jig head videos I’ve always wondered why you wouldn’t want the jig head to match the color of your bait instead of the color of lead. It seems logical that it would be better thank you mike j
In truth, the color of a jig head (or lure for that matter) has very little bearing on whether that offering will get bit, or not.
Presentation of a lure will always trump its Color.
I could offer a Pink-colored paddle tail and have it paired with a Jig Head that is Silver & Blue in color, and it will still get bit. The concept of matching a lure color to the lure jig head color is more of an anthropomorphic view than anything else. In other words, we as Human Beings think that this color matching is important to the fish, when in reality fish interpret color much differently than we do.
We made the decision to sell a variety of jigs using Color Coordination, so that it’s easier for the Angler to know which size jig head they are using. For example, Glow Color should always be 1/4oz in our Store, and Gold should always be 3/8oz. That’s a much easier way to determine which weight you are using when you grab a jig head from your tackle box. Hope this makes sense!
Justin, in the video you say that SS went with the 3/8 oz. size, but on the shop page, it says 1/4 oz. Which is it?
Good eye, Buford! That needs to be changed. We indeed carry the 3/8oz size on our Shop Page.
Can you make a chatter bait weed less. With the spring so we could us it in deep part of water with weed.
Z-man CrossEye Chatterbait has a weedguard
Great muddy water bait!
Hello Matthew! Have you caught a variety of species with chatterbaits in murky water? Mostly just reds and black drum? Have you had success on this bait with trout and/or flounder?
South central Louisiana guy here. Muddy water is often as good as it gets Lon this area, ha
Thanks Justin! Sounds perfect for Galveston/Clear Lake TX area. Like to fish Lake Mark Kramer (fed by Armand bayou), which was formerly named “Mud Lake” for good reason. Can only see down about half a foot or so there & at other nearby fishing spots. Haven’t run into much debris at least from shore so am optimistic.
Justin; Where do you tie the leader to? Which one of the loops. Never having used one before I am not sure.
Great question, Tyson. There is a small eyelet that sits on top of the actual Chatterbait Blade. It is the loop that sits on top of the Chatterbait blade, not the one below it. I would tie a snug knot directly to that eyelet for the best connection.
Great video Justin… I always fish the bass style skirted chatterbaits and spinnerbaits… is having a skirt on the lure a disadvantaged in saltwater?
Hmmm, I wouldn’t say it is a disadvantage. It definitely increases the Profile of the bait in the water, so it might even help if you’re fishing very murky water. I do think it would create a little extra resistance while moving the bait through the water, so I’d say it’s more circumstantial than anything else.
Hey There,
I have
certainly used the mini-version of the Chatterbait. I think it is called the
Chatterbait Flashback Mini. They come pre-rigged with a curly tail. I pull
those off and put a 2.5 or 3″ Z-Man Slim Swimz on these. While I usually
fish them with a steady retrieve, I will sometimes pause them and with the
Z-man Slim Swimz, the bait will float a bit with the tail pointed up. I have
had great success using them at creek mouths on a falling tide. I also use them
like the way you describe as “power bait” when I am trying to cover
flats area. I went with the smaller version thinking that it wouldn’t be as
obnoxious to fish and drive them away like you warned with the larger versions.
Having said
that however I do think I will give the larger ones a try to in a little bit
deeper water and when the water is murky. We are supposed to get rain a few
days this week so this may be the ticket. Thanks for the video and I appreciate
the way you all lay it out with the pros/cons and fish it here, not there
approach. It really helps a weekend warrior like me who gets little time on the
water.
Take Care,
John
That’s what we are all about, John! Good luck out there this weekend!
The Gold Digger with the Gold Bladed Chatterbait looks awesome for stained/tanic water in the St. Mary’s River around St. Mary’s, GA and Fernandina Beach, FL.
Now SaltStrong just needs to offer the Bomber in the Gold Digger color 😉
Keep asking and we just might be able to make it happen! 😉
Try a blood pellet in a discharger 18″ up the leader.
Messy but.
Noisy baits piss off / wake up sleepy fish.
In my experience, you will put down more fish if they can’t see the target.
Coloured water, scent and electric microcurrents do the business.
Mix brass and steel fittings.
Malcolm Hayward.
I had to research what a blood pellet & discharger was! Thanks for always sharing insightful tips, Malcolm, much appreciated.