I know you can fish it different ways but do you generally retrieve it like a spinnerbait-either just below the surface or slow roll.

And for those who fish for them, is the bait as effective on smallies and spots as it is on largemouth?

I fish them just like a spinnerbait, but when either they want something different or the water is muddied up and that vibration is gettin the fishes attention. U can work it top to bottom in the water column just like a spinnerbait.

I always have both tied on to try an determine which they perfer.
The chatterbait over grass is much better for me because it will fall in or penitrate a little farther and when I rip it out that is when the strike takes place. It is much like a spinnerbait and is much more effictive when bumped into the cover that is available.
I do not fish our northern lakes so I cannot answer on what it will do on your smallies and spots. I did catch a couple of spots on it in Lake Brownwood when it first came out so I know it must work; just down size a bit to 1/4 oz.

I've caught all sorts on them, Spots, smallies, pike, walleye...

I have caught several spots on it on Alan Henry, but there are so many of them that is not saying much. It can be retrieved like a spinner bait fast slow or any where in between. I usually use it up the river where the water is stained. I am no pro.

it will catch everything. Monster crappie bait

Depending on what you are using as the trailer, I've found that you can get a lot of strikes on the fall (especially if using it with the skirt on)

One of my favorite baits. I fish it with a stady retrieve most of the time, but have found that stroking it seems to draw the most bites. I just let if fall and give it a good pull and repeat.

Ive found Chatter baits are good when water is muddy and cold. I like using a baby fluke as a trailer. I also like using a trailer hook to button them up real good.

Hey SnyderSkeeteraman,
What weights, colors, brands, trailers do you use up the river at A.H.? Also, do you mean actually way up the brazos or the creeks on the west end of the lake? We fish there a lot and i have not haven't really tried the chatter type baits much out there.

Thanks Man.

Craig.

I like to fish them a bit slower so the blade clacks real good but not overly loud. I like to fish it like a soft plastic worm too, sorta hopping it about.

It's one of my "go to" baits. Mostly a slow steady wind, unless they are bustin or spookin' shad. In conditions where the fish are deeper (over 8 feet or so) let it sink to the bottom, wind it slow, 3 to 5 winds, and free spool it back to the bottom and repeat. Most of my success is with a super fluke as a trailer and 3/8 oz bait. If I'm fishing deeper than 12 feet of water I go to a 1/2 oz. It catches a tremendous amount of both largemouth and smallmouth for me prespawn, post spawn, summer and fall. Killer bait around docks, grass/chunk rock with grass, schoolin' fish that are pinning bait against the bank/grass lines/hard structure, and "pre locked on the bed" fish.

You can save a ton of money making your own. Buy the jig head/blade/skirts at Barlow's tackle web site. You can put together a bait for less than 2.50 each. They're all I use and it's cheap and easy and extremely effective. Just remember to bend the blade back toward the hook a pinch, about a 1/3 of the way from the top, it'll swim better at higher speeds.

Craig, the weight depends on how deep I want it to go. I use black on the river when the water is muddy and white or chartreuse in the clear water on the main lake . I really like it in rocky creek or way back the river on the rocky banks. Have fun and look for me I am there a lot, white and blue Skeeter.