Live Bass Fishing

Catching Bass on a Chatterbait and how to get started.

 A chatterbait is one of the most effective lures for catching bass. This vibrating jig may look like an unassuming jig with a funny blade on the front, but its vibration and erratic movement attracts bass to strike. 

Chatterbait Bass Fishing Tips

If you’re looking to catch more bass with your chatterbait, here are some tips and tricks that will help you make the most out of this versatile lure. 

Selecting the Right Chatterbait for Bass

First and foremost, select a quality chatterbait blade. A good blade should create a distinct thumping sound and feel when retrieved through the water column. It should also be able to start vibrating quickly on the retrieve to be most effective before you pull it out of the target zone. 

Here’s a budget chatterbait option

Here’s the best chatterbait option

Here’s the best finesse chatterbait

Selecting size

Choose from different sizes depending on what type of baitfish you are trying to imitate – smaller blades will create more subtle vibrations while larger ones can be used for bigger prey such as schools of shad or bluegill. 

Selecting the right color

Next, choose an appropriate color for your chatterbait based on local conditions and what type of baitfish are available in the area where you plan on fishing (e.g., silver blades work well in clear waters while dark colors or gold work better in murkier areas). 

Additionally, if there is any vegetation present near where you plan on fishing then opt for colors of skirts that match it closely; this helps ensure that your lure blends into its environment. One key is using a trailer that matches can match what you are trying to mimic.

When I am fishing a chatterbait in the spring I will opt for a red skirt and trailer that seems to stand out in stained water and match crawfish. It just seems to work. Here’s a recent bass catch on a red chatterbait 

How to Work a Chatterbait for Bass

When retrieving your chatterbaits remember not to vary the speed. You can vary speeds slightly by twitching them back every few seconds – this creates an erratic motion that will attract curious predators who might otherwise ignore something moving steadily along at one speed.

I will also sometimes hop it off of the bottom and let it fall almost like I am yoyoing a lipless crankbait. 

Also, try varying depths during and retrieves depending on where the bass are in the water column and the conditions. Start shallow then slowly sink down deeper until reaching the bottom again before repeating the process over again until desired depth has been reached.

Paying Attention to Detail to Catch More Bass

By experimenting with depths, speeds, and retrieves, you can put together a pattern and then put more fish in the boat. 

Pay attention to the details when fishing a chatterbait for bass. Did they bite on the fall, twitch, or being slowly rolled past cover? 

What depth were they at? What did the structure look like? Was it a rocky or hard bottom or was it ticking the tops of grass?

These details will allow you to dial in your presentation and catch more bass. 

The Right Chatterbait Fishing Equipment

I like to fish the chatterbait on a medium-heavy rod with a softer tip but plenty of backbone. I fish mine on a 7′ to 7’3″ rod that allows for plenty of fighting power, but still provides accurate casting.

Here’s the casting rod I recommend

Here’s the reeel I was using

Here’s the line I recommend

The real key to the chatterbait is to get out and fish it until you figure out how to work it and get some confidence in fishing the bait. 

Get out and fish the chatterbait to catch more bass today.

To your fishing success,

Jonathan Burke 
LiveBassFishing.com