Catch more fish with a chatterbait by making this simple alteration!

[@philbanner9521]

The intro music that starts all your videos is outstanding. I’m a musician (and finesse angler) and that intro rocks! Best of any fishing channel out there. Thanks for the stellar fishing tips as well!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! I had somebody tell me to cut it out yesterday but I like it and Bridgford does as well!

[@JodyWhite]

I appreciate that you seamlessly incorporated all three names for this kind of lure.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Smooth!

[@Redial2416]

I find it interesting the way that you rigged that with it vertically instead of horizontally. I'll definitely give it a shot.

[@MattStefanFishing]

makes a difference

[@dc5038]

The willow blade from Z-man does this perfectly. I noticed it earlier this month.

[@jamesh7469]

They’re nice but they vibrate more than thump and the hook is really small/thin. Great for clearer open water like smallmouth situations

[@jimmyanderson9728]

With a chatterbait being one of my favorite lures, I can't believe I've never tried this! Thanks for the tip!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem! Let us know how it goes!

[@kennymarshall3344]

Just discovered your channel. Great content. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@bamadondon0495]

I started taking my skirts off a couple of months ago before this winter hit and using a baby rage menace.. and the results shocked me, it was like one of those light bulbs that went off that was like you knew was always on but you could never find the switch kind of deal... Great video

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! It’s amazing how good it can be!

[@kcc7687]

Do you like the action more if with the tails of the rage menace are rigged horizontal or vertical?

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@kcc7687 i generally prefer more if vertical since it help keeps the bait down

[@bamadondon0495]

@@kcc7687 vertical.. but horizontal if I want to keep the bait up more. But vertical makes the top kicker kick slower like n injured baitfish or somthin. They smash it.

[@daviddillabough]

chatter bait for myself is a pike lure mostly, when i go skirtless with dark green craw it starts to catch bass often.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@dannyhocutt8490]

Thank you for these comments ,!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you too!

[@juleswinnfield826]

Good info, appreciate your sharing. Great thing about the medium of competition is the trickle down effect of info that makes the entity better. Today's average bass fisherman is way ahead of the average from 10 years ago. Keep up the good work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I couldn’t agree more!

[@chrisboyd1408]

I recently heard about this, I will try soon. Hopefully tomorrow after church. Thanks for sharing

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@jeffreya.greene6999]

Thanks for the Tip again cause I love Throwing the Chatter Bait! Placed a 7" Tequila Sunrise Worm Up inside the Tube!!! Looks Great! Looking for to Trying this on the Next Full Moon!!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds good

[@peteremerson4777]

Excellent suggestion! Andrew Upshaw had a similar tip-but more extreme: try a 3.3” Keitech on your Chatterbait. Looks over-powered by the hook but really works for pressured fish!

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll give it a try

[@wesvyverberg9517]

Your channel intro rocks and the lure modification tips are awesome. I have traditionally thrown chatter with keitech fat 3.8 paddle tail with the boot upside down. I crush the smallies on chaumont with this setup but I never thought about the importance of making a chatter dart. Between using keel style plastics and removal of skirt I feel like I have a whole new world of chatter offerings that make the bait more versatile. Keep em coming Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the great comment! So many variations for the chatterbait it’s ridiculous!

[@aarongreenlee7867]

Great video! I will echo several of the other comments, but the way you explain things makes it really easy to grasp and understand beyond just "This is what I do" so try it.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks buddy! Much appreciated!

[@johnlong2498]

R u running the hook out on flat side r side to side

[@MattStefanFishing]

I do both depending on what cover I’m fishing

[@tsalibuchert3156]

I've been doing this for a while with the 1\8th oz chatter baits and the savage gear ned minnows with good success on river smallmouth.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@razorbak6783]

I watch all of your videos and this one some how got by me 2 weeks ago.....glad I found it, this modification looks awesome....definitely going to try this one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@justincourtright2431]

Awsome advice, me and 10 other boats are having a little tournament tomorrow. There is lots of spots and smallies, I'll have to try it with several different trlrs! Again awsome info!! Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you! Good luck and let us know how the tournament goes.

[@fishingismydrug1]

How did the tournament go?

[@stevephillipsjr369]

Great tip and have been doing this quite sometime. I especially like the way you threaded the craw on.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! I put it on vertical usually to keep the bait down but will put it on horizontally if i need to keep the bait up

[@jbowron1]

Thanks. Your tips are great. Really enjoyed your modifications on the wacky rig. Hopefully I will lose less worms.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@13thworker45]

Thank you for sharing another tip. Great channel.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Much appreciated!

[@rvfishingyet]

Another something different and presentation option. Solid stuff, keep em coming good sir

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@karolbeachy5277]

You can buy " naked" z man chatter bait rigs,works great for tubes ,slit the top insert head and glue it back together,works great

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Matt excellent video great tips for chatterbait fishing. God bless you and your family your pal fisherman.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks! You too!

[@bobsheller1427]

Can't wait to try this Matt! Thanks so much for this great tip!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem! Thanks for watching!

[@alanmarshall4723]

This works. Had a fish pull off my skirt and I was on fish so I kept throwin it. Started catching bigger fish. I attribute it to just being different. Good stuff!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@MoMan.88]

I’ll definitely have to give this a whirl!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let us know how it goes!

[@scottyoungblood7957]

Works great. Try a Hog Farmer Spunk Shad as a trailer.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I’ll give it a try! Thanks for the advice!

[@jamiehartzell5286]

Wow great modification ! Will try next time out

[@MattStefanFishing]

let us know how it goes!

[@donaldalbert4773]

Matt, absolutely a great tip. I will sure going to try that.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching!

[@gradyhines5789]

Thanks for the tips, I like throwing a chatterbait and do medium fair with I'll try it without the skirt and compare,thanks again

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@chadchapman5303]

I captain a high school bass team and this is something we’re gonna have to try having I boy throw it one way and the other the other way. Thanks for the tips.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Let us know the results!

[@dc5038]

Willow blade does this perfectly.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@HBeretta]

I've taken a chatterbait and threaded on tiny gill flats from OSP and Deps...you're right it doesn't replace skirted options, but does give a different look.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes it does!

[@ronniewells3148]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll give it a try.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let us know how it goes!

[@bottomlinebassin2001]

Thanks Matt will be throwing one at Saturday tourney

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good luck!

[@trickytrav88]

I love that pit boss perfection..thanks for the tips God Bless

[@MattStefanFishing]

Me too!

[@markdavis394]

Awesome idea there. Def will have to try it out. Thanks man.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let us know how it goes!

[@camhester4251]

i've had luck using a fluke with the chatterbait custom but i really like the SK rage tail menace the little flappers tails really work and i've caught some fish with that set up but i haven't really been on a chatterbait bite just hit and miss here and there but my fishery doesn't have grass but lots of structure ,

[@MattStefanFishing]

Fluke can be a great trailer!

[@Ajblendz]

Great tip Matt!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@paulaffholder5472]

Matt, what is your favorite trailer for northern smallies? Thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

tough question. i like a fluke style bait and a pit boss.

[@BRandomFishing]

Great tip! I’m gonna try it in the Colorado for Guadalupe bass 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

They’ll eat it!

[@castandchill]

thanks for the pit boss on a chatterbait tip btw i tried that and got on em the other day with it ! I'll have to try skirtless

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! The pit boss works great on the chatterbait!

[@conniekahl8015]

Work. Yes it does!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed!

[@RB407-bi2wx]

Since this video is 2 years old, I’ll be surprised if you see this Matt but I’m curious if clear water vs dirty water plays into deciding when to throw without a skirt?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Clear water is when i wouldn’t use a skirt

[@thegeorgian102]

I’m new to fishing So forgive the question. When you say the chatter bait has a darting side to side action are you retrieving the chatter bait kind of like a jerk bait would be, only with a faster motion of course

[@MattStefanFishing]

i do impart some erratic action with the rod, but more so with the reel handle turns. a straight retrieve will mostly bring a chatterbait straight back to you, but imparting a few twitches with the rod or reel handle will break that steady chatterbait swim causing it to kick out to a side before finding its normal cadence. that kick out is what im calling a darting action.

[@funkymojo111]

I noticed that mine have gotten the skirts thinned out from hitting rocks and will very soon be at the point of just removing them.

[@MattStefanFishing]

nice!

[@josefunes2406]

Thanks Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

No problem!

[@robertstone3417]

Good information, Matt I will start doing this adjustment more. Thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

Going to try this. I imagine the fish here have seen tons of chatterbait lures.. but maybe not so many without the skirt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Never hurts to give the fish something new!

[@pequenioedgarito3067]

Matt. If I trim the skirt instead (of removing it) would that help the presentation/movement in a plastic bait? I know you mentioned that the skirt creates drag and affects the movement . Or is it overall purpose of removing the skirt to provide a new “look” per sae?

[@MattStefanFishing]

yes it will help the thinner the skirt gets

[@johncloud2851]

So, I haven't tried any of the bladed-jigs w/o skirt but I noticed you rigged that soft plastic vertically... What determines that? I have tried both horizontal and vertical soft plastic trailers with success both ways.. great video as always

[@MattStefanFishing]

I hook the bait vertical to keep it deeper and horizontal to rise the bait

[@fishfighter73156]

Did I notice you threading that creature bait “sideways”? Was that on purpose?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes, it creates less drag in the water allowing you to keep the bait deep.

[@scottvermonter920]

Matt great info as always! This channel is awesome for learning!👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

I love this types of comments! Thanks!

[@scooterfishing9323]

Beautiful video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you very much!

[@chadjackson4786]

have you tried the terminator shudderbait? Bought one but i haven't fished it yet. Also spinnerbaits are deadly without skirts too

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep i haven’t tried that one yet!

[@joeparks7891]

Works best in heavy grass situations

[@MattStefanFishing]

Agreed

[@charleshardcore5975]

I like to use zman ned body and that's it wow works way better wen fish are pressured thankyou sky s the limit good luck to u and your fishin

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good idea!

[@artmalchow5739]

My favorite trailer is The Deal.

[@MattStefanFishing]

its so good!

[@MrKenrob13]

Just discovered your channel and enjoying the content also thanks for the great tip🎣👍🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@Leake8]

2nd that !

[@ivanradi4275]

Nice, thank you. Worth to try. !!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Let us know how it goes

[@ivanradi4275]

@@MattStefanFishing Really good, check your Insta

[@josephhrnciar9376]

Great stuff as always Matt....the way you explain things and all your knowledge makes watching your videos such a pleasure!! Don’t know how you don’t SO many more subscribers!! AWESOME channel....thank you for taking the time to make them. Dude.... I actually drool looking at your backdrop of tackle room!!🤤🤤🤤

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the great compliment! Spread the word for me!

[@josephhrnciar9376]

@@MattStefanFishing Trust me I have been. Great channel, great guy, great advice, ....no brainer as far as fishing channels go. One the best in my opinion!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@josephhrnciar9376 thanks!

[@fishingismydrug1]

I just found your channel, subscribed. You, Mikeybalzz, richardgenethefishingmachine, my favorites.

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@fishingismydrug1 Awesome! Thanks!

[@MrFishBlood]

I actually have some old "Chatter Stick" baits from about 15 years ago. It basically a hard jerkbait body with a chatterblade on the nose. I've caught nearly every species of game fish in my lake on them. Unfortunately, they don't make them anymore.

[@MattStefanFishing]

i bet they work good!

[@blackhillsbassing6167]

I've trimmed off the bottom half of the skirt to thin it out, kinda get the best of both worlds ?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I thin out my skirts all the time!

[@sonnygreen9698]

I am a huge pit boss fan, I have never thrown it on a vibrating jig, when do you rig it vertical vs. horizontal or do you just rig it vertical (sideways) without the skirt?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great question. I rig it horizontally if i want it to ride higher in the water and vertical to keep it down deeper

[@sonnygreen9698]

@@MattStefanFishing I have a tournament next weekend, this is something I want to try since grass will come into play, thanks for the response !!

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@sonnygreen9698 good luck!

[@johnnymassengale6275]

More great content, appreciated!

[@MattStefanFishing]

More to come!

[@dennismoyer6696]

Check with TW. They sell chatterbaits without skirts attached.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good find!

[@michal96611]

Have you tried the mini or micro chatterbaits for smallmouth?

[@MattStefanFishing]

No but i need too!

[@michal96611]

@@MattStefanFishing I have some coming in the mail; I'll have to report back.

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@michal96611 let me know

[@christopherarmstrong9815]

Now I know why I have found snagged chatterbaits with just a crayfish trailer and no skirt. I will have to give it a try. Sort of makes sense.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give it a try!

[@sonofafisherman743]

Great tip thanks 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikerhodes2528]

Was wondering what a 5" senko would look like on a chatter bait.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Give it a try! Only one way to find out

[@rockyraab8290]

Yup. Chatterbait with a paddletail minnow catches bass, wiper hybrids, and even channel cats for me.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It amazes me how aggressive channel cats can be. I caught one yesterday on a jerkbait suspended over 20ft of water

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Hey@MarkStefan,new sub here.Youre absolutely right.Ive been doing this with either the razor shad or diesel minnow and not just TUB largemouth but also back to back casts 6&7lb Walleye in the winter throwing this presentation.Havent tried a Pit Boss yet,but I will.#BassFishing#PreSpawn#SkirtlessChatterbait

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

Sorry;@MattStefan(my bad)

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@fresnobassn744]

Pit Boss. Big Texan 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@joeyhewitt7724]

Great stuff as always Matt! I prepped for this one tournament and for some reason that day, had to commit to a stick bait for results. I have a tournament this weekend and we are in the middle of the shad spawn. I’m told to throw that blade around the cypress trees. This may be a great option. Couple questions about the shad spawn...supposed to be heavy cloud cover. Will less light extend the shad spawn in the morning? Also, people talk about the a-rig for prespawn and water temps in the 50s. Does the a/rig work during the shad spawn? If not, why not? Thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

The Shad spawn should be prolonged by the cloud cover. As for the A-rig it will definitely work on Shad spawn. The problem is an A-rig is not very Weedless and with a Shad spawn you want to fish your bait as close as possible to the cover. Good luck!

[@11BHawk]

Good stuff! Your guppy jig plus a 2.8 k word destroys iowa smallies

[@MattStefanFishing]

It destroys smallies worldwide! Haha! Seriously it does

[@tritondriven]

Found this out by accident in a tournament. The skirt fell off from being sunbaked about mid morning with no fish in he boat. When it fell off i just left the trailer on and ended up weighing in 18#s

[@MattStefanFishing]

funny how that happens sometimes

[@jaredkirk2500]

I would imagine that a Jackhammer is not the best candidate for this, do you have a preferred model to do this with? Also, as a follow up, do you think having the blade start up super fast (like the Jackhammer does) makes a noticeable difference?

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like the regular Zman chatterbait for this option. I like a blade that kicks good but also skips once in a while to create erratic motion

[@camhester4251]

the z man chaterbait custum is a great bladed jig at only $7.00 but can't hardly find them but tackcle warehouse has them , they vibrate soon as you start reeling but some vibrate harder than others

[@TylerGoesFishing]

solid

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@mikeh9744]

I thought my tackle room was stocked. Nope. Matt Stephan's tackle room is stocked.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha! You can do it too!

[@craigmiller3648]

Love to add a big tube workout a skirt

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds good!

[@kbone87]

The thought of pulling the skirt off a 17$ jackhammer is a bit unsettling. If it means catching more fish than I will bite the bullet. Thank you for the tip sir

[@mattquinlan4629]

You could buy an ‘undressed Picasso bladed jig’ to ease your mind. Works well, good luck.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Try it on a normal chatterbait first

[@kbone87]

@@MattStefanFishing well i de-skirted 2 original jackhammers and put on a zako trailer. Going to hit the water now. Thanks Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@kbone87 let us know how it goes

[@tommydoublec]

Iv tried it wish you were not talking about it.🤫

[@MattStefanFishing]

Haha!

[@tunit8946]

Great info. 👍and subscribe d

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for subscribing!