The bait on the left is the Chinese cheap knock off, the one on the right is a jackhammer.

I see. You must've changed the snap on the one on the right cuz that ain't stock.

Nope, it’s how mine are. They must have changed them from what you had, 2 are fairly new, the bottom one is 8 months old or so.

The biggest advantage to a Jackhammer is that it starts vibrating the second it hits the water. It also is much better at clearing grass and getting back into action. I also love the Elites. The Elite was my main before I started using Jackhammers. I will still throw the Elites and definitely don't feel I am at a disadvantage.

I don't necessarily think one is better than the other but I do think there are times when one will out fish the other dramatically. They sound slightly different and have a slightly different behavior in the water. It is more like a traditional rattletrap vs a one knocker.

All things being equal, if i show up at a new lake with no data I will probably throw a green pumpkin Jackhammer. If the water is really muddy I will go black/blue.

I don't know if it's just me, but I really put some time on the water the last two years and still haven't put a fish in the boat during the day with a chatterbait. I have done really well at night, and early sunrise with them using darker colors. I know it can be done, as my fishing buddy uses them and he catches fish (daytime). I use the old outdated bait called the spinnerbait an equal amount of time and catch fish. But I am a firm believer in "it's not the arrow, it's the indian..". I love a slow rolling spinnerbait, and love when the fish nearly jerk the rod out of your hands.


I have a couple jack hammer's, and they are in darker colors but haven't used them yet. Have a bunch of the Academy beand in the boat. Full moon summer fishing is right around the corner. I guess i need to watch some YouTube videos on how to work them. Im working it the same as I use a spinnerbait with an added occasionl pump action like a swimming jig. Might be all in my head, only time will tell. As for spinnerbaits I go big, or go home. Biggest willow you can find, and have favored the terminator brand since the 90's when I used to buy them at an old fishing tackle store that I think used to be on Lamar street. I used to buy Terry Oldham's jigs there, as well as the terminator spinnerbaits. Allot of fishing is confidence in the lure, and I think this helps in it's effectiveness.

If the blade is not connected directly to the hook eye, save your money

Don't know this for an absolute 100% fact, but I'm pretty sure Z-Man has a lock on the design of attaching the blade to the hook eye. One of the bait shops around Lake Fork was selling some knock offs with this design and had to quit selling them.Strike King sells the Thunder Crickett I believe, and I heard they either paid up front, or pay as they go for this design.Like I say, this is educated speculation, since I dont know anybody from Z-Man to confirm

Z-Man had a design patent...had being the keyword or at least that's what I'm being told. Back in the day you would get a cease / desist letter if they felt you were in violation of patent infringement. Now that time has come and gone, so in theory you can use the hook / blade without it becoming a legal issue.

Foot note: You still need to change the overall design by over 10% or something like that.

Wish I were smart enough to know this. I'd be rich! AHAHHAHAHAH


PS: I have several of the first release Jack Hammers, the snaps appear to be more dull in finish and look like they're smaller and tighter in the fit / finish. The last few I had had a shiny more chrome looking snap that seemed to have more play in it.

Maybe they're running into supply issues like the rest of us and using what is available and it's not the same OG quality. I'll see if I can dig up an example...as I lost one the other day to tree-pounder.

That is correct. Phoenix was making a bladed jig that was a great lure. Zman forced them to cease production. Now they sell components.

The Chinese ones are exact copies, the ones I have atleast. $2.50 each.

when you gonna share the plug? Tried to use your pic to see what to look for in the ones I bought. I got the ones grout got but from a different place. Very similar head, blade, [censored] snap though and sticky hook....but the hook is a bit longer than on my jackhammers. Wondering if I got the ones you got....cuz the pic you posted looked spot on as duplicates!

I think Z-man got their patent in June of 2010. If I am correct a design patent completed at that time is good for 14 years. If that is so the patent should still be good for two more years. Where did you see that the time has come and gone for the patent?

10 years is how long a patent holds, at least that's what it was for several of my Grandpa's patents. If it's 14 then there are bait makers that better remain hidden.

So what then would be considered a 10% change on a chatterbait? Would a different hook and a different line tie be enough for 10%? Why have all the other companies not resumed making the baits they had to stop making because of the lawsuits?

After some research I see that the patent has an adjusted expiration date of 02/04/2026

Omnia has Jackhammers on sale right now for 25% off. That puts them at $11.99 each.