What Chatterbait rod do you use? What do you look for in a Chatterbait rod.

Also how are you setting the hook with chatterbaits?

I recently lost 4 fish in a tournament all on a Chatterbait, all threw the bait on the first jump. I set the hook about like a crankbait, sweeping to the side. My current setup is
BPS Pro Qualifier 2 6.8, Falcon Bucoo 6’6” MH moderate fast, 12lb suffix copolymer

Another setup I have that I rarely use is:

Daiwa Tatula CT 8.1, Falcon Lowrider All Round 7’ MHF, 15lb invisx fc

Would this be better?

I use an old Falcon Cara Cranker with 7.3:1 Tatula 150. It's a composite rod with fiberglass in it. It's got a slower action that lets the fish have the bait longer before feeling the strength of the rod. I set the hook like I would a crankbait, just lean into it.

I really like the Falcon LowRider "Swim Jig" 7'2" Medium Heavy Casting Rod | LFC-72MH. It's more parabolic like a crankbait rod. It might be a combination of your line and hook set motion. You will get a better hook set if you set the hook more like a jig (upward) than a crankbait to the side. It's hard to do since you feel like your cranking and that's the typical hook set.

Also your line may have too much stretch. I throw mine on 50# braid. I really like the vibration it transmits and the hook ups I get. It pairs very well with the rod. Otherwise, you might try using fluoro.


I would try your All Round set up. The gear ratio is a little faster than I would use but I think you will have better success on the hook ups.

Thank you both. I put that all around setup together for light or weightless t-rigs but hardly ever use It. That’s why it’s an 8.1 gear ratio.

I’ll look in to the other rods mentioned.

I use this for square bills:

Daiwa Tatula CT 6.3, Daiwa Tatula 7’ glass cranking M, 12lb suffix copolymer


I felt like It would be too bendy though?

I throw all my bladed jigs on a Dobyns Champion DC 736 Glass with and Curado 7.4:1 loaded with 15-20 lb. Seaguar InvisX or AbrazX. I’ve had this rod for a couple of years, and I can’t remember ever losing a fish using it.

https://dobynsrods.com/product/dc-736cb-glass/

I just reel up and sweep into them for a hook set.

I personally run the Shimano Zodias Medium action with a Moderate Tip. I Just switched the this rod and the give has helped me stop losing as many fish than with a faster tip.

Regardless of the bait, when a bass goes to jump, what’s the best way to keep them hooked up?

I know to keep the rod tip down but that doesn’t seem to work for me. Do I need to be pulling hard away from them when they jump to keep the bait pinned?

Also I’ve tried not to horse them much lately in an attempt to not pull them to the surface to jump. But I’ve noticed the pros usually haul them in as fast as they can.

Any thoughts?

Duckett Jacob Wheeler MH. In my experience, if you are using a true Chatterbait, those hooks are not sharp and require a HARD hookset, don't just lean on them like on a crankbait.

^^^ this ^^^

Original Chatterbaits had hooks that were pure garbage. Lost a couple good fish on Rayburn in the State Championship because of it. I also put a stinger hook on some of my chatterbaits. Have increased the hookup ratio quite a bit when they short-strike it.

I feel like this may be my experience. I like the idea of the swim jig rod mentioned above with 50lb braid.


My last fish I lost hit It as soon as It entered the water. So I wasn’t even cranking yet. I know for a fact I didn’t set the hook hard enough on that one. I just swept It to the side. I know everyone says this but I watched the fish jump and it was 4-5 lbs. Made me sick.

I’m using jackhammers with a TFO magic Shad trailer. How are these hooks?

I have used several different set ups and have been blown away by the Cashion Icon iWJ7MHF. It is their 7' MH worm/jig rod. I love the sensitivity and versatility of this rod. I feel like it is more on the medium side of MH which, in my opinion, is perfect for a bladed jig. It is soft enough for the fish to suck the bait in all the way and has more than enough power to fight fish of all sizes even the big girls that we all know this technique attracts.

I pair this rod with an Abu Garcia REVO STX 7:3.1 spooled with 16lb Sunline Sniper.

My typical hook set is similar to a crank bait hook set. Lean into the fish to the side while I reel.

When the fish jumps, you don't want to get the rod too low to where the rod tip hits the water. That will allow your line to slack and possibly dislodge your hook. Just maintain firm pressure and try to get the fish's head back in the water as fast as possible.

As to losing those fish, you have to understand what time of year this is. Those fish were probably either on beds or guarding fry. The fish in this stage will just bite weird. You are probably doing nothing wrong and your set up probably isn't the issue. The fish just aren't biting to eat, rather, they are protecting their bed/eggs or fry.

Just a side note/tip. I ALWAYS keep a hook sharpener ESPECIALLY when throwing a bladed jig. It doesn't take much to roll your hook point. If I get hung up, even just a little bit, I will check my hook and sharpen if needed. This might, also, be a reason you lost those fish.

Hope this helps! Best of luck on your next tournament.

Thanks Derick.

Falcon Expert Headturner (6'10") is by far the best rod I've thrown a Chatterbait on. Super accurate rod, and rarely loose a fish on it. Love it!