Current Favorite Chatterbait Rod ?

[chrisD46]

What is your current favorite chatterbait rod ? Also please list the main line you are using as that tends to make a difference in the chatterbait rod chosen - thanks in advance !

[BassmanRudy]

So right now I have a few I use so hard to call a "favorite" but I'll break it down some.

3/8oz- st croix legend tourney "sniper spinnerbait" rod
1/2oz- st croix legend tourney "sweeper spinnerbait" rod
For both sizes- Kistler Magnesium (can't remember the specific model name) but it's a 7' Med Heavy Moderate action.

St, Croix has a new rod coming out soon in the Victory line called a "Rip'n Chatter" that will be AWESOME for chatterbaits! They already have it in the Mojo line and it's got great reviews. 7'2" Heavy Moderate action.

Also I use braid with all of these.

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[Mike Cork]

I've been fighting the glass modified versus the straight graphite on this and have played with both switching back and forth...

Finally landed on a glass modified and 15# K9 Fluorocarbon line. I've played with braid, and it's effective, but I have better hook ups with the Fluorocarbon, I think I set the hook too quick with braid. Fluorocarbon will also let the bait get a few inches deeper on a faster retrieve.

[FishinBuck07]

Cashion Elite Chatterbait rod

[Smallie_Stalker]

My main rod for this is the Dobyns DC 736 CB Glass because I tend to throw heavier bladed jigs than most folks do (3/4 - 1 oz.). For 3/8 to 1/2 oz. I like the Sierra 734C and for 1/4 - 3/8 oz. I'll use a Fury 733C (Even though the Sierra would handle those weights just fine). I feel these weights fall into the sweet spot for these different rods.

Personally I tend to prefer the composite rods (Dobyns Glass rods are actually a glass/graphite composite) for this technique.

I use either 20 lb. or 30 lb. braid for all of them.

[ike8120]

KK Speed Demon 7'0 M/F with straight 40# braid

[BassmanRudy]

The 3 I mentioned.



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[chrisD46]

Thanks for the replies to date - chatterbait rod choices tend to be a pretty hotly debated topic . I used to think : "What's all the fuss - it's still just a single hook a jig" !  But in reality , how a bass eats a chatterbait is not only interesting versus other lures but different as well . Brett Hite has shared that a bass will hit a chatterbait fast from behind , swim towards you more often than not and then make an abrupt turn . Not only do you have to wait for the bass to "clear" the chatterbait blade to get a good hook up - you also have to have enough give / delay in the line and rod set up to stay hooked up on that first big turn a bass will make with a chatterbaait . Some choose to get the give / delay with a composite or glass rod with FC or braid  and others prefer graphite rods using line which has a bit of give FC or co-poly. Still others make a choice based on reflexes , or rather the ability to control reflexes on the hook set . A faster set up for those that can delay the hook set and a slower set up for those (like me) that have trouble delaying the hook set . At any , rate chatterbait rod set ups and chatterbait fishing are one of the more interesting topics with varied opinions in approach and rod set ups  versus say flipping or frogging which is more straight forward in rod set ups .

[Princeton_Man]

For me it somewhat depends on the chatterbait. I mostly fish Nutech Lures' Crazy jigs and generally fish the 1/4 and 3/8oz Crazy Jigs on a Dobyns Sierra 703C. In the event that I move up to the heavier 1/2 and 1oz Crazy Jigs, I usually switch to a Sierra 734C for a better hookset. I'll also use the 734 if I'm fishing a lot of cover. I don't have any steadfast rules, I fish both PowerPro braid and Seagar Tatsu Fluorocarbon, but I generally use braid on my chatterbait rods.

[fishballer06]

Dobyns Champion 734c for long range casting and Extreme 704c for short range applications. I also have an old Abu Garcia Veracity 7' MH-F that works really well because it's on the heavier side of MH. I really wish I had a 735c Champion for whenever I'm fishing a chatterbait around heavier grass.

I have the Champion 736CB glass rod and while it's fine for chatterbait fishing (and considered the best by many), it's not my cup of tee. I like the added sensitivity of an all graphite/carbon rod, and the fast action as well. IMO, when a bass eats at chatterbait, they generally inhale it, rather than nip/slap at it, so the slower action isn't necessary. Again, just my amateur opinion.

[loomisguy]

Around cover I love the Witch Doctor Surman 50G. It's a graphite/glass blend, Short enough for roll casts and just about a perfect action for the Chatterbait. In the open any 7ft+ MHF is fine , I use a FX.
17lb. Flouro .

[Blacktail 8541]

I have the Dobyns 736 glass paired with Tatsu 15 lb floro and use this combo when the weeds start getting heavy. But this year I started using my Loomis MBR 844 with braid in open water. Had 100% hook up and landing with this combo. I liked the feedback that the braid gave me. Will try the 844 with 15lb Tatsu next year to get a comparison.

[chrisD46]

Would a Dobyns Fury 705CB crank bait rod become a good chatterbait rod  ? ... Seems that the parabolic bend in the 705CB could be a benefit and at $120 retail price won't break the bank ?

[BassmanRudy]

I would think so. 5 power is great and like you mentioned the parabolic action.

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[BassmanRudy]

Go check your local academy as I just found a champion boom boom roubanis 705CB rod on clearance for $140!! Fury wouldn't be bad but this one is a good bit better and almost same price!

Might be able to buy online and ship to store.

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[Pipepro]

I guess Yankee bass must hit the chatterbait a bit different than their southern kin. The bass here smash the heck out of the baits, almost always with a slashing turn right after.

I throw jackhammers in 1/2 & 3/4 oz versions with Zako trailers most of the time. Fishing along the outside edge of weedlines I'm trying to get them to bump and tickle some of the weeds. I need a setup that can turn a fish out of the weeds and get em going the right direction.

My favorite setup is a Hammer Rod 6'9" heavy with Curado DC and 20# sniper FC. I sometimes use my rattle trap setup as well, a 7'5" heavy with 30# vicious braid. That setup will really snap the bait free of the grass, but the shorter hammer rod is more comfortable for making shorter more precise casts.

I tried using my Fury 705CB but the baits just overpowered the rod. The parabolic bend is great for slinging small squarebills (1.5's) and some small floating jerkbaits but while the forgiving bend of that rod is great for smaller treble hook baits it's useless to me for a single hook chatterbait.

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[Dink Dawg]

Dobyns Kaden 735CB.  All graphite but that moderate action with power.  I throw 1/2 oz. baits with Zako and blade Minnow trailers. Line is 15 Invizex. If I find the need to go heavier, my Champion 736CB Glass gets the duty.

[chrisD46]

Good replies - thanks !

[1ReelFanatik]

I don't know yet.  I picked up a few chatterbaits over the winter, but due to health problems (both mine and my wife's) I haven't fished this year although I did go to the fishing pier on Lake Nockamixon twice and the Rt33 boat ramp on the Lehigh River 2-3 times just to cast a couple new-2-me rods and reels.  I do have more than one rod I want to try.  Most will be used with a 12# co-polymer on the reel.  At least to start with.

Gen1 Diablo Spec R (7'2" MHF)
OG Tatula 7'2" MHR
Ark Tharp 7'4" MH- Mod-Fast B-Hittay
iRod Gabe's Rip Rap Special (7' MHF)
Zolo Deputy 7'1" MHF

From what I've read more than one of these should make an excellent chatterbait rod.  If worse comes to worse, I have a couple other rods I could give a shot.