The jackhammer has a snap type line tie whereas the standard chatterbait elite has some sort of twisted double eye tie. Question....has anyone changed out the twisted double eye tie for a snap? If so, which size do you use? It certainly feels like the jackhammer is easier to vibrate at lower crank speeds...but maybe I'm just imagining that trying to feel better about throwing a $15 bait vs the $4 bait? Thoughts?

The Jackhammer starts chattering faster and works at any speed better than the less expensive Chatterbaits. Thats why it is $15.

A word of caution. The snap that comes on a Jackhammer is a 40# Decoy snap. It will fail after 20-30 small fish or one large fish. Ask me how I know.

I swap mine before I ever throw them with the Owner 70# snap.

Is there a video out there that demonstrates it? I’ve had someone say oh it’s easy….not to me but I could be missing something.

I’ve never swapped them and never had an issue with any of the 100 jackhammers we own. Caught multiple 6lb+ fish on the Walmart version and the jackhammer with zero issues either way

Ken I think I found your theme song

I've never had a problem with the jackhammer line ties (I like the snaps) was more wondering if anyone changed out the cheaper version chatterbait with snaps like a jackhammer....

The pic Ken A posted is dead on...just like you better change the split rings on a whopper plopper. It's a source of irritation when the premium bait in a category needs upgrades to function at a reliable level.

I've also never had an issue with the original snaps on Jackhammers BUT I think a big difference is that I use fluorocarbon instead of braid. You can see in the picture it was tied with braid and I imagine the zero stretch has something to do with the breakage. Not starting a debate on fluoro vs braid and I can only imagine how much more vibration would transmit with braid but I get more hooked and landed fish on fluoro. That and a good Dobyn's rob that was built specifically for the chatterbait.

It is true the day my first snap opened up I was using 65 braid on Camelot Bell on a 9-10# fish when she jumped and shook her head. I reeled up and threw the bait again and noticed it was not vibrating. I reeled it up and thats what I found. I thought maybe it was just turned weird in the fish's mouth when she jumped and thats why it straightened out.

However, the next time I was using 15# Invisx on a PWF private lake full of 1-3# fish. After 20-30 small fish the snap opened up on a brand new bait as a fish jumped and shook his head.

I have been switching out the clip since Zman changed styles. I found the new clips wire extending from the last bend getting snagged in the blade holes. I called Zman and they were surprised by the issue, they gave me some recommendations for clips. I’ve been taking the clips off of heavier chatterbaits that I bought and never throw to the 1/4 and 3/8 sizes that I do throw. I’m about out of the heavier baits and keep meaning to take a clip out to BPS to check sizes. I don’t remember who they recommended now, but there are several manufacturers that make clips like Zman’s original clip.

I inspect all my snaps very carefully.
Odds are when one comes unclipped- there's a good chance it was sprung a little when attaching. After losing a few good fish only to find an open and bent snap I'll sit down with some pliers and carefully bend the cross locks so they won't come open.

Which model is that?

Champion XP 735cb glass. Has made a significant improvement in chatterbait fish landed.

I use this rod. Its made for bladed jigs

OK....after doing some digging on the internet the jackhammer snap appears to be a decoy egg snap #2.

Link to Decoy Egg Snap #2