Finally! The tricks that make all the difference! When should you throw a swim jig instead of a chatterbait? What about just throwing a swimbait? What makes one better than another? Its time to find out exactly what each bait is for and when to switch between them!
Chatterbaits are incredible lures! They’re ability to catch fish is rivaled by only a few other lures. But do they have a weakness? Of course they do! That’s where the swim jig steps in. Understanding the differences between the chatterbait, swim jig, and swimbait will help you catch fish day after day. Learning to use these baits as a system instead of sticking with a single option will allow you to adapt to changing conditions on your lake.
Below you’ll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We’ve included our favorite colors and weights for each, as well as our favorite trailers to compliment each style. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
SWIMBAITS…
Head- Matt Allen Swimbait Head (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/29RrTYN
Bait- Storm Largo Shad (4″): https://bit.ly/3vxP0NB
Color Shown: Pro Blue Red Pearl
SWIM JIGS…
-Dirty Jigs California Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2auXfmx
Weight: 1/2 to 3/4 oz.
Favorite Colors: Crappie, Tactical Shad, Alabama Bream, Black/Blue
-Dirty Jigs Skirted Swim Jig: http://bit.ly/2dIVUMd
Weight: 1/4 – 3/8 oz.
Favorite Colors: Alabama Craw, Crappie, Hematoma, Tactical Shad
SWIM JIG TRAILERS…
-R2S D Walker Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2NwqBmz
Sizes- 100 (Swim Jig), 120 (California Swim Jig)
Favorite Colors: PB Red, Shamrock Shad, Ice White
-13 Fishing Pleasure Shad: https://bit.ly/3A4F4hx
Sizes- 4″ (Swim Jig), 5″ (California Swim Jig)
Favorite Colors: Black and Tan, Collard Greens, Witches Brew
-Gambler EZ Swimmer: https://bit.ly/2OLlyUf
Favorite Colors: Electric One, Ghost Shad, Gold Rush
CHATTERBAITS…
-Evergreen JackHammer: http://bit.ly/2popvj6
Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.
Favorite Colors: Bruised Green Pump, Clearwater Shad, Green Pump Shad
-Z Man CrossEyez: https://bit.ly/2ZrZnVd
Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.
Favorite Colors: Mouse Rat, Shad Spawn, Green Pumpkin
-Z Man Chatterbait Custom: http://bit.ly/2Ix71mI
Weight- 3/8 to 1/2 oz.
Favorite Colors: Bluegill, Glimmer Shad, Black Blue Flk
CHATTERBAIT TRAILERS…
-Hog Farmer Spunk Shad: http://bit.ly/2UFkCD7
Sizes: 4.5″ and 5.5″
Favorite Colors: Blue Gizzard, Ghost Minnow, Black Blue, Natural Gill
-Big Bite Kamikaze Swim On: https://bit.ly/2NkSdPV
Size: 4.25″
Favorite Colors: Green Pump Chart, Hematoma, Green Pumpkin
CLIP/SNAP UPGRADES…
-Nishine Original Snap: https://bit.ly/2T2ic1F
Size: #2
HIGH-END CHATTERBAIT COMBO…
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (XG): https://bit.ly/34HlAAk
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline FC-100 16 lb Shock Leader: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB
ALL-AROUND CHATTERBAIT COMBO…
Rod- Shimano Expride 7’2″ Medium Heavy Glass: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Curado DC (XG): http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4
Line- Sunline Assassin 17 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
BUDGET CHATTERBAIT COMBO…
Rod- Shimano SLX 7’2″ Medium Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO
Reel- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (XG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ
Line- Sunline Assassin 15 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR?
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
Major Equipment We Use Daily…
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
Favorite Tools and Gear…
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: http://bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: http://bit.ly/2NQ2jbH
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: http://bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#chatterbait #swimjig #bassfishing
Now where would you add a spinnerbait into the mix?
Have you guys ever fished southern Colorado particularly Pueblo reservoir in the spring with a lot of fluctuations in our temperatures
Did you cut the head off that trailer or put it on as is?
Since you can fish the jig without a trailer, wouldn't the skirt be primary action and the swimbait added would be secondary action?
I’ve no luck throwing into cover like grass matts or lilies. The jig will make it through, but my braid sits on the cover and my lure comes back up out of the water when I’m retrieving. Will a heavier jig bring that 10-15 yards of line into the water?
Whe you are using the largo Shad on a swim jig do you cut the tendon or leave it attached
Thanks.
I know older video but I have a question. The ponds I bass fish for small fish are bluegill and stocked trout. Should I be going for just bluegill colors on trailers/lures or should rainbow trout type colors work too? Just trying thinking to match what they should be feeding on
Man this video was exactly what I needed because I have been so close to putting this puzzle together on my home lake with shallow grass. Done very well with the jackhammer but I want to have a secondary approach to the grass. The way you described “secondary action” with the proper swimbait trailer was key for me. Ready to go pre fish for next tournament now.
Just wanted to come back and say thx, your video helped me gain some confidence even though I didn't catch a thing😂😂. Today was the 1st day after about 6 times that I actually got and felt a bunch of bites, I kept casting in same area and felt em every cast, but the last one even took off a bunch of reel and boom it popped 😂😂. I actually really liked that swim bait. Thx again, I'm hyped to get back out there, I need to get my knot game up😢😂
What’s difference between a chatterbait and a bladed jig if any?
My new favorite swim jig is actually one of the cheapest ones I have found. Strike King swim jig mixed with a rage toad
Very good summary at 18 min mark; great Intel
California delta !!!! I'm northern California 👍
Thank you 👍
Your over all knowledge of fishing and passion for it is out of this world !
What action rod do you use does two
Awesome video! Thank you!
Would a 4inch largo Shad make a good swim jig trailer ?
Thanks mate.
Another Awsome video . Thanks will be putting this into action 😁
Last summer I broke a snap on a jackhammer on a really nice fish. I was so mad. It was in heavy cover plug that specific chatterbait caught hundreds of fish.
What about chatterbait for vertical jigging? I vertically jig for lake trout and they love to chase lures retrieved straight and up. I imagine a chatter bait cranked up through the water column will trigger the chase.
Any suggestions for targeting deep fish with chatter baits? By deep I'm talking over 50'.
If you wanted to use an elastech type trailer for each is there a good option?
I'm in northern California I gotta go to clear lake
What if you are fishing a relatively clear lake that has grass beds but the grass is all the way up to the surface and it's not clumps but just big fields of grass to the surface and in water from the edge of the bank to like just maybe 4-6 feet deep? Any recommendations for a situation like that? The lake has shad , crawfish, variety of sunfish.
I'd say both need to be in ur box
Great tips as usual. Thanks!
I miss a lot of fish on a Chatterbait for some reason. They seam to grab on but not get pegged. Should I be using a stiffer rod for Chatterbaits?
"I don't like when the chatter bait stops and falls, I like to add a pump and speed it up to break the cadence instead"
shows video of chatterbait stopping and pausing instead of speeding up
Just subscribed to your channel and I just wamted to say that it was one of the best explained fishing videos I have seen. I really liked your reasons for the how's and why's to use each of the different baits, thanks for a great video!!
Was hoping for a real quick comment on when he uses the craw shaped bait.
V
Randy Blaukat the (Block Head) says the ribbed lures are not good. Does this make you wrong? Keitech is no longer a good bait. Imagine that.
Took your advice today and landed my PB smally!🙌🏽 used chatterbait with a neon fat Albert on the hook I threw on.. Thank you mate! Fish on!🙏🏽🔥🔥🎣🎣
Does a underspin fit in that category at all?
I agree with 99% of what you guys say, but we do the “Christie shake” or “Alabama shake” to make the bait hover in cover. Give it a try and you will be surprised
When he said I’m sure you already have a chatterbait I smiled 😂💀
Just getting into this guy's content. Some of the best I've come across for real info. None of this is what I use and what to pair it up with and look I caught one and nothing else. He gives the true functionality and practices for the type of equipment you are using. He had brands yes but it's the explaining of what he is looking for so he can use it for his needs not selling a brand and saying look I caught some on it. Keep up the great great videos. Now to Binge watch all the others… lol
Going to plan on saving up for a boat to g Bass fishing with my son
Love me a bladed-jig and swim-jig bite on our grass lakes up here in Vilas County $$ Thanks for the video, bro… Always learning and getting better ~ Peace ~
Have you ever tried a bellows gill at a chatterbait trailer. I was thinking it might give you more stability when throwing it near wood and prevent snagging it. Kinda looks like a wider spunk shad but wasn't sure what kind of action it might have. Thanks again for all you do.
lose the face hair its not a good look.
holy cow, what an awesome tutorial! thank you matt!
Really good video, answered my questions I've had regarding swim jigs vs chatterbaits.
So I know you are reading this lol I’ve decided to brush up my swim jig knowledge so I can catch me a huge Rockfish !!!! Thanks for the suggestions!