masterS series
“ A lot of anglers think they need a jig rod because the lure is called a bladed jig , but since the lure has a solid body with no flex to it , you need to compensate for that with a softer action .”
need to show the fish something different , when they want a tighter vibration , or when conditions are tough – cold water , no wind , heavy fishing pressure .
When it comes to colors , I keep things simple . I think you need something dark like black / blue , something light like white or spot remover , and something in-between like green pumpkin or bruised green pumpkin .
Trailers are important when you ’ re bladed jig fishing . You can use them to alter the action of the bait or to change the profile of the bait or just to add some buoyancy and color . My favorite ChatterBait trailers are the Yamamoto Zako and Paddle Tail Zako . I helped to design and create these baits just for the purpose of having the ideal bladed jig trailer .
The Paddle Tail Zako adds some action , and that can be great when the water ’ s warm or they respond better to more action . Usually , though , I ’ m throwing the regular Zako because the ChatterBait has plenty of action on its own .
basics
I usually fish a bladed jig on what I consider a medium retrieve . If there ’ s aquatic vegetation around , I want my lure to be ticking the tops of that vegetation . I ’ ll make a long cast and start reeling . If I don ’ t feel the grass or other cover , I slow down until I do . If my bait gets mired in the cover , I speed up until I ’ m just contacting it – “ ticking it .”
If I feel the bait hit something , I twitch the rod tip . That can help to keep it from getting hung up , but that ’ s also when you ’ re most likely to get a strike .
Even if my bait isn ’ t ticking cover , I ’ ll twitch it occasionally to give it that same action . It makes the bait move erratically , and that often triggers a strike .
bonus
I throw the ChatterBait a lot , and it ’ s a real confidence bait for me . It catches numbers , and it catches big fish , so it ’ s hard to put down whether I ’ m fishing for fun or in a tournament . And if you ’ re in a situation when you ’ re not getting a lot of bites with any bait you try , you can be pretty sure that your ChatterBait bites will be quality fish .
If you ’ re new to bladed jigs , I recommend putting some time in with them . The more you throw them , the better you get with them , and the more you appreciate what a great tool they are for bass fishing almost anytime and anywhere .
“ The bladed jig catches numbers , and it catches big fish , so it ’ s hard to put down whether I ’ m fishing for fun or in a tournament .”
PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON PHOTO BY GARRICK DIXON
56 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | APRIL-MAY 2022