BUYER'S GUIDE: BEST CHATTERBAITS, BLADED JIGS, AND TRAILERS!

[@SneakerShow24]

It’s already the buyers guide time of year? Hell yeah!

[@HarryUsery]

I can get use to this on a Sunday morning! Waking up to start a Sunday morning off with a buyers guide or any other content TB puts out is just awesome. Great video and thanks again!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks 👊🏼

[@ThomasSieben-v7u]

Thank you Matt and Tim for all you do for the bass fishing community!!!

[@matthewspell416]

I’m just glad the buyers guide series is back! Been waiting all year

[@ILLUMINATHAN79]

I will always love the Jackhammer and the Mini Max but there’s something special about the Bass Puzzle Grass Piece. Thanks guys!

[@caseysaunders2137]

I don't think TW carries it yet so likely why not mentioned so far.

[@tacticalbassin]

It's a unique bait for sure, but we haven't seen it out-perform yet. Time will tell

[@Silehnt]

Performs the same for me as the original chatter bait. To this date, 0 fish caught on bladed jigs for me, hahaha.

[@caseysaunders2137]

@@tacticalbassin I think the GP main attribute is a slow horizonal shimmy on the fall. So good for bluff wall or hopping down steep hills

[@ILLUMINATHAN79]

@ i have really been on a great bite this year with it.

[@midwestfischerman]

FIRST!🥇🏆 Thanks again Matt and Tim for getting these Buyer's Guides going early this year.👍🏻🎣💸💸💸

[@tacticalbassin]

You bet! Thanks for watching

[@michaelbrummage1305]

Always get excited when you guys do chatterbait videos. Enjoy these types of videos so many bits of interesting info😁

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyplowman5838]

Great Chatterbait tips and info guys. Thank you Matt and Tim you guys are bleeping awesome 👍🏻 Trust in you guys 110% TB is my favorite show to get all your knowledge from both of you and tips. Thank you Matt and Tim keep on rockin 💪🏻👍🏻

[@tacticalbassin]

We appreciate you Gary!

[@brianrobinson9979]

A few years ago, when you couldn't find a Fire Craw JackHammer, the Crosseyes was sitting on shelves in abundance

[@SouthJerseyBass]

Still are I find them at tackle direct on the clearance shelves all the time

[@holdengamble]

@@SouthJerseyBasscrosseyez is literally a jackhammer with a weed guard. much better option for the money

[@SouthJerseyBass]

@@holdengamble yupp I like them cause where I fish there’s a ton of lay downs and underwater structure you can’t see

[@Triple87]

dude I was literally hoarding cross eyes in fire craw. Luckily, my local dollar store had them. $4.06 a piece after tax. 😂

[@us_patriot_31b]

Just a tip if you’re using the zako for the mini max, you’ll want to super glue the plastic to the hook keeper. The plastic is super soft and will continuously slide down on the cast after a fish or two!

[@nicholashdean]

Y'all killing me (from the top) tim laughing 😂

[@MintyCherubandtug]

The Z-Man chatterspike is the absolute best trailer in my opinion. I’ve used many trailers on a vibrating jig over the years and I’ve never seen this type of movement. Subtle yet enticing, it just looks perfect

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Awesome video!!! Thanks for the useful help on what to use!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!! 🤠👍

[@DougLane-dj3oh]

Keep them coming!

[@leonardmartin3545]

Your awesome I dropped out 15 years a go I’m new to fishing cht

[@Twangtown7]

The Z-Man Diezel Minnow is also a really good trailer. It is a paddletail, but very subtle. And a really sneaky good trailer is the 6th Sense Bamboosa 5.3 Worm. Trim it down a tad to the right length and that thing gets the Chatterbait to hunt like no other.

[@c.shoefish]

TN Porch coffee with TB, its gonna be a good day.

[@tacticalbassin]

Porch coffee without us is a good start too 😂

[@c.shoefish]

@tacticalbassin but y'all make it better.

[@TomStarcevich-fb3qo]

I'm heavily invested in the zman evo chatter bait it was a good investment caught a lot of bass on it 🎣🐟👍

[@NoMoneyNoFish]

Caught my PB yesterday on a Thunder Cricket.

[@logicalrationalfishing7481]

I complained like crazy over the Jack Hammer prices, but they are flat out the best. There are a bunch of others about to flood due to patent expiration, but a Jack Hammer, Jack Hammer Stealth, and the Mini Max are flat out best for me. By the way, ya'll were spot on about the Stealth being underrated. I have caught more fish on it actually than any other chatterbait.

[@trentfindley7212]

I agree 98 percent with you. but I tried out the copperhead by 1st gen. that bait has crazy ass action and so far has generated a bigger bite. fewer bites but better quality

[@johnmango6056]

I never minded the price of the jackhammer because they are so durable and I almost never lose them. 25$ jerkbaits on the other hand… I def have a problem with that lol

[@TheCapi246]

Love the video! Spent quite a bit with these buyers guides if I'm being honest. You guys have any recommendations for storage of these like you recommended storage for the spinner baits? Thanks for the videos!

[@morganlobby]

Totally agree that the jackhammer is the cat’s meow, but you’ve got to try throwing on a Lake Fork Magic Shad as the trailer. So much better than anything out there.

[@retflo2583]

I love that on the chatter bait, great call...

[@TismFishing]

Y’all should try a 4in dead ringer as a trailer. I find they work amazing in current.

[@us_patriot_31b]

My profile pic fish came on an OG B/B with a Berkley pit boss rigged vertical with a missing flapper lmao 😅

[@williamlillibridge8473]

I really like the G Loomis 843C MBR, great feel and haven't lost a fish yet on it.

[@seanodell5133]

Good Morning Guy's...... Sounding a lot like Christmas Time is here.

[@tacticalbassin]

Almost!

[@DFWdarin]

The BPS/z man collab chatterbomb is really good imo

[@nickrobertson8406]

Does the ElaZtech baits and the skirt play well together if you’re storing them? They must if they’re made for each other by the same brand. Right?

[@Brian-xi3kz]

Cashion makes an icon chatterbait rod also

[@brendanbutkus2392]

You guys gotta try the 6th sense juggle minnow on the mini max... it my go to

[@Glock-1]

I always use a spunk shad even on the MiniMax I use the 3inch and in certain situations I use a zoom speed craw

[@FishingDownYonder]

Hey yall I just found that the 4 inch spark shad works wonderful for slow cranking a jackhammer.

[@yummygogolak]

Love jackhammers. Don't love how quickly the paint peels off black blades.

[@chriscarroll3635]

I couldn't agree more. Every single one I've used the paint chips off its ridiculous.

[@tacticalbassin]

Have you tried EVO yet? The blade's are epoxy coated and take a real beating!

[@yummygogolak]

@@tacticalbassin I already have a lifetime supply of chatterbaits. My only chance of getting one is picking it out of a tree.

[@Twangtown7]

I have bent out a few Mini Max snaps. So I do wish they'd upgrade those. Also, didn't Z=Man patent just run out on that blade to head connection design?

[@Glock-1]

I also like the chattershad by zman

[@jermaineroach976]

Do you guys fish tournaments? If so, do you have video footage of them??

[@tacticalbassin]

Neither of us fish tournaments anymore.

[@marksanko6138]

They don’t tournament fish, between the two of them they are on the water every day and they fish all over the country. Lots of fishing footage of trophy Largemouth, Smallmouth and spots. It’s a learning channel

[@adrianmorales4210]

@tacticalbassin how do you like the St. Croix 7’2 heavy moderate Rip’n’Chatter Rod?

[@bassinbilliards6279]

Good job Tim 😂 Matt this isn't a seminar...2hrs later so up next the second item on the buyers guide 😂. Jk

[@jdubya3498]

Wait wait wait, it’s buyers guide time of year already? This is how I know when to start scheduling time off for thanksgiving trips, meals, etc!! Have you used the Hog Farmer stroll Shad as a trailer yet or your thoughts about trying them. I’ve got some set out for Wednesday

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! Sorry, we went a little early and threw off your whole holiday schedule! 😂 The Stroll Shad makes a pretty awesome finesse chatterbait trailer.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Question: why the Zako paddle tail version for full-size chatterbaits but the fin-style for mini-max? I use fin-style for both and they work great.

[@dustinharris8828]

I’m not sure if yall have tried it or not but if yall have, do yall have any thoughts or opinions on the evergreen 7’3 jackhammer rod?? Brett hite built it for the jackhammer but rarely hear any opinions on it.

[@nickrobertson8406]

Do you consider the Willowvibe a Chatterbait? I have done better with that bait (paired with Spunk Shad 3.5” in that beautiful blue gill color) on my waters than my standard Chatterbaits. Do you guys not like the Willowvibe? Or is it just in a different category?

[@raytubach8988]

So do you trim skirts on these or fish right out of the pack?

[@us_patriot_31b]

Straight out the pack dog! But I guess depending on length of trailer, you could! Crazy thing is I don’t fish a jig w/o trimming the skirt lol.

[@tacticalbassin]

Straight out of the pack 👍

[@mickeybrowne6207]

@@tacticalbassinhmmm I trim but maybe I shouldn’t then? I feel like sometimes it gets in the way of my trailer moving the way it should. Like just kinda sticks to the side

[@midwestfischerman]

Did you know that Z-Man's ChatterBait patent (US7627978B2) ended its 20-year run and expired on September 23, 2024? Now that all manufacturers can directly attach blades to heads, I expect ICAST 2025 to be the Year of the Bladed Jig.

[@tacticalbassin]

We're aware of this as well. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Had it been 10 years ago, that absolutely would have happened. With 20 years to calm down, and the black eyes that companies received in recent years for copies... it will be interesting to see what happens next. 🤔

[@Timmerman0602]

#TrumpGonnaMakeTheBladedJigGreatAgain

[@midwestfischerman]

@tacticalbassin Now, with Z-Man no longer being able to demand a license fee from other manufacturers to use the direct head-to-blade design, I hope to see both innovation and DROPS IN PRICES. That said, I will ALWAYS give Z-Man props. My guess is the Original ChatterBait with the RaZor ShadZ will ALWAYS be my go-to.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

I think Z-Man proactively addressed this with the EVO. Much more cost-effective and startup almost as fast as JH. Plus a lot of cool new colors. My new fav.

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

​@@DavidBronstein1961yes but the snap is garbage. Had 4 bend out on hook sets.

[@fishon131313]

What camo jacket is that you are wearing?

[@tacticalbassin]

Its this one: bit.ly/4eDivna

[@LuckyLucky-bm1pg]

what are you guys opinions on Dobyns rods? outta most of your rod review vids i haven't seen or heard you mention them..🤷

[@RUF33OH]

They used to. I think some of their favorites have been discontinued

[@Brian-xi3kz]

Zman has a chattershad now also

[@johno7435]

Curious why you use mono instead of FC as a leader. Is it because of the extra stretch? I like the strength of FC instead of mono but please explain. Thanks.

[@iambquinn]

The Mini Max is great, BUT the wire clip you tie to is lighter and I’ve bent multiple (loosing lure) on 1lbs bass. This happened 3 times in one trip after ~20 fish.

[@holdengamble]

you mean the snap….?

[@GaryAnderson87]

That’s why I swap it out with a decoy egg snap

[@iambquinn]

@ yes

[@Colby_Mac3]

I have a problem with the Evos. The snap on the blade doesn’t close all the way, no matter what I do. What do I do??

[@LuckyLucky-bm1pg]

Matt & Tim , i live in mn and Mississippi river is chocolate milk water, what is the best color to use to fish it??

[@svk_5104]

Either dark colors like black & blue or black & purple or you throw white and white & silver and white & chartreuse.

[@LuckyLucky-bm1pg]

​@@svk_5104thank you

[@johnmango6056]

3/8 jackhammer with a magnum rage menace rigged horizontal is absolutely dynamite for super shallow grass.

[@stevoky]

I believe the patent is over now!

[@MaineStreamFishing]

No love for the slobberknocker!? i feel like it has a place… and around wood its the best by far.

[@LuckyLucky-bm1pg]

they need to upgrade the clip where you tie on to on the evo so when using braid it doesn't come open..

[@Calvin-m5r5t]

Isnt the z man pattent over?

[@gslang3489]

Everytime yall put out a video, its as im getting ready to head to the lake. Almost like you do it on purpose lol. Looking for your tandem fluke video.

[@RUF33OH]

Did you say this are on sale?? Doesn’t seem that way

[@RUF33OH]

Oh nvm I see we had less than 24 hours to catch the sale after vid was posted.

[@normsweeney3116]

Is there a finesse chaterbait for wood yet?? If not, you guy's gotta get on it before someone else does....

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanx guys. Didn't realize I needed a $500. budget combo to catch bass on a chatterbait. Come on guys you want to push only high end (and yes a $500 combo is high end) have at it, I'm about done with you guys!

[@tacticalbassin]

You may be happy to see that you were watching yesterday's video, today's is $100 combos ($50 rod and $50 reel). We do our best to help everyone, right where they're comfortable, and we never encourage spending outside your budget.

[@Efishnseetv]

Ok so tungsten evo vs jackhammer and why …??

[@Brandonkanzaki]

These guys know chatterbaits, especially because they are Delta Rats!!

[@johndynneson662]

Yeah 👍. And they price gouging you too. A Holes.

[@johndynneson662]

Iff your in the northland fishing up here Minnesota. Your going too need like 10. Because. 🤔🤔🤔thing called. Pike. 🥴🥴

[@NorthWoodsWes]

True. Lost my last EVO from a pike. 😂

[@johndynneson662]

@@NorthWoodsWes they love Emmmm!!! 😆😆

[@calvinlong7810]

Must be doing something wrong. Have the JH, minis, original, slobbers. Have yet to catch one fish on any of them. JH start right away, but still have not caught one

[@dirtyfisherman9188]

If you are not using the grass piece puzzle....you are missing big fish

[@tacticalbassin]

We've fished it extensively, but honestly haven't seen it overcome the others yet. We'll see as time (and availability) go on.

[@dirtyfisherman9188]

@tacticalbassin you are fishing it wrong ..tear the skirt off pair it with a raid real skin super fish roller... watch the shiny shimmy on the fall and retrieve......it will blow you away

[@jimb7304]

@@dirtyfisherman9188 which size Fish Roller?

[@erk678]

Hats off to Zman for having the knowledge to invent a great bait. My loyalty will stay with Zman. Why would you want to infringe on a company like Zman. To the other companies that have came to the dinner table with no Manners get off your ass and blaze your own trail.

[@louievang3553]

They didn’t invent it

[@holdengamble]

Zman stole the original and then patented it. You don’t know what you’re talking about

[@jimb7304]

I could be wrong but I think Evergreen invented it and licensed it to ZMan

[@gregchilders7643]

Patern expires this year . Game over for Z. Man👏

[@louievang3553]

@@jimb7304 it was just a collab for the premium jackhammer

[@arkansasbassin]

.