By my own admission, I don't really enjoy winding baits. I like to drag. But, I know it's something I have to do. This bait befuddles me. Have yet to catch a bass on it. Picked up a Jack Hammer and I'm going to give it a try. Anything I need to know? Just doesn't seem to really catch a lot of fish for me. I think it's more like a swim-bait, you just have to commit to it and to learning it? And give it a chance? Any help or advice will be appreciated, thank you.

Frank, many years ago I purchased one of the original Chatterbaits when they were first introduced and headed to Sam Rayburn in the Spring. As you know, during the Spring, many lures catch fish, so I figured I would use it like a spinnerbait casting around bushes and logs near the shoreline. It didn't take long to realize it was a lot like fishing a spinnerbait with much more vibration. Caught several nice bass on the Chatterbait but felt it was like spinnerbait fishing for me, but maybe attracted bass better due to the vibration.

Just tie one on and go fishing....commit to it and you will discover that you can slow it down and pump it like a jig or speed it up depending on the mood of the fish. I love to use it around hydrilla or any grass and wood. Also, I noticed the average size of bass was larger on the Chatterbait.

I used to throw a Spinnerbait back in the day all of the time when throwing a moving bait. Then when the Chatterbait came along it seemed to take me quite a while to warm up to it. I have tried about every Chatterbait out there but when I was working at Bass Pro when the Z Man Originals would go on sale I could get a lot of them really cheap. So even when I tried a lot of the other more expensive ones I got to spend a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the bait. I finally spent so much time I realized a couple of things. I finally found the particular areas where I would get bites so now I don't actually throw it constantly, instead I will be fishing along with different baits and then can kind of pin point areas where I feel like it is the best bait for that situation with the way I throw it. Also I found a way I throw it that may be somewhat different from a lot of guys which is why I throw the Original. I can take a 3/8 ounce with a Lake Fork Tackle Magic Shad for the trailer and really slow it down to a crawl with a lot of wobble back and forth while slowly moving forward sometimes almost staying stationary. I think my style and where I throw it is maybe attracting more fish that are less aggressive and I think maybe some quality fish that just aren't wanting to chase something. I now throw one a lot less than I used to but it is a productive bait for me because I have learned how it works for me and in what situation.

Think of it as swiss army knife. It's a sqarebill, spinnerbait, swim jig and swimbait all in one. I would start by throwing it when you are thinking about using a squarebill or spinnerbait to start. Spinnerbait if I want more flash or ride higher in the water column. Otherwise, I'll pick a chatterbait. If it's too shallow, grassy or "snaggy" for a squarebill, I'll use the chatterbait.

My go to colors are chartreuse/white or white 90% of the time. 3/8 oz is good all around size. You can add a little more weight/bulk by using a Zako or Big Bite Baits Kamikaze Swimon. I like a swimmin fluke jr for smaller trailer. 1/2oz is easier to skip and make precise casts or if you are fishing it a little deeper.

I'll use a swim jig if it's too much cover to fish an open hook. I'll use a swimbait (paddle tail) if the water is clear, calm or I feel I need something more subtle.

BTW, I still catch more on the "original" chatterbait version. The Jack Hammer has more hunting action and better components. But for me I still migrate back to the original version.

I agree with all of these takes. I really like the black/blue version as well as white/chartreuse. Zman also makes one with white/yellow/blue that looks like a bluegill. I like this in grass, creek channels and on the banks but tend to go spinner bait on wood. I've owned the Jack Hammer's but like Barn, I migrate back to the original. It'll throw a 5 dollar bait in places I won't throw a 15 dollar bait. Go throw it and have fun.

Just like a lot of other baits, works better on some bodies of water better than others.

Get the elite version in green pumpkin with a green pumpkin zako trailer, get a white one and white trailer. That's all you meed

I prefer the Z-Man Elite version as well. They are really tough baits that come through timber. I tried two Jack Hammers and both broke components rather quickly when I fished them through timber.

It will perform well in a lot of times and bodies of water but it does seem to perform best in grass lakes or vegetation

Thx all

Agree with the majority. Took me a while to start catching fish with them and I had a lot more confidence with spinnerbaits. Now I fish chatterbaits way more than spinnerbaits. Just took some time and a few fish to feel comfortable with.

Won a tournament in Massachusetts on a chatterbait. Had a 50 fish day and everyone came on a chatterbait. It was the first time throwing one. Starting fishing them more often. Certainly has a place and time like any other bait.

In the spring/early summer I use the CrossEyez with the weed guards and a swimbait trailer around cypress knees and sparse vegetation. Hopping along the bottom like a jig it or worked slowly through the cover can be very effective.

Speaking of Jack Hammers...they're on sale at Omnia Fishing
25% off - $11.99 for 3/8 or 1/2 oz

https://www.omniafishing.com/p/zman-jack-hammer-chatterbait

Don't nobody care bout no yankee land fishin Red !!