The JH start up is critical when the target area is very small in highly pressured waters. The attention to details makes it worth it. I find them in the off season for $12 online. I started with an OG Chatterbait yrs ago and didn't catch anything for a long time. One day it got stuck in a tree and I left it there! I watched almost every video out there on vibrating jigs and my experiences came full circle, especially Matt and Tim over at Tactical Bassin. I have found over 7-8 vibrating jigs and the higher quality ones are usually salvageable and often STILL HAVE SHARP HOOKS even after spending some time snagged underwater. Over time I have found over a hundred quality, salvageable baits and the better ones last, handle use in hazardous areas, finishes are more realistic, come with better connectors and hooks. The EVO may have been a compromise between marketing and sales but I don't need any. I'm satisfied with the 20 vibrating jigs I have.
Dude you nailed on the confidence. If you throw an old beetle spin 90%, of the time because you are confident, you will catch more fish on the beetle spin.
I guided for 35 years. You are so right about stress with customers. I still like the original zman chatterbait. I think the trailer is more important. I have used several different trailers. Each have their own merits. Each will perform differently. Use based on what the fish want that day.
been running the originals since I started fishing last month, and i'm having a good time with them catching bass, even though it's mostly been smaller ones. I still haven't grabbed a jackhammer yet, but I do have an elite evo. And the one thing I feel is the difference between the original and these is that these ones dance around a lot more and zig and zag very nicely. also the trailer keeper is crazy good.
On the original chatterbait they opened up the eye of the hook to attach the blade. In better quality baits they use a wire form with a bigger eye. It allows the blade to start up quicker and easier.
i been throwing jackhammer's the past 2 yrs only on braid and i haven't had the hook open up yet, mainly because i reel into my catch with a very light or slow turn instead of the dramatic hook sets that most all pro's do & i have even caught 6lb walleye on it and haven't had any issues. to each there own..
I actually use crank bait style rods m/h moderate 7’3” is my favorite one is by st croix bass glass big crank … I haven’t lost any since I crank down an lean into my hook set . An the mini max chatterbait since I started bending that hook almost slightly up I land dang near all now on it as well
I can barely yoyo a javkhammer and it dtart chattering. The original takes seconds to start vibrating. Theres a huge difference. If you're just chucking and winding then theres really no big difference.
I try the chatter bait out with powerful fish like 4-5 lb peacock bass here in South Florida. I find the issue with the original chatterbait is that there is a delay in the blade starting up which does not happen with the jackhammer meaning more action and bites. Secondly, 4-5 lb peacock bass fight like a 8-10 lb largemouth and I get to battle test the chatterbait hardware. The clips on the original chatterbaits open up and are weak compared to the jackhammer. I will have to battle test these new chatterbaits to compare again 😉
I can tell you this, ZMan loses their patent with the Vibrating Jig at the end of the year. 6th sense will be coming out with a Vibrating jig just like the Jackhammer called “The Jigsaw”. So Zman came out with the EVO to still keep a premium jackhammer look alike on the market ahead of time to save their asses.
I have 2 chatterbait rods both glass composite. If you wanna keep fish pinned use glass. I have 1 7'2 MH fast and 1 7'3 H fast and I've never lost a chatterbait fish from a jump or a run on either of them
I've a 7'11" cranking stick (im8) that's got plenty of bend. Keeps them pegged fine and is lighter or less tip heavy for sure than any glass or glass composite I've used. But to each their own. What works works.
Hey Cody, really appreciate your videos, especially this one, I will definitely be buying some of those new chatter baits, to go with the $600 worth of jackhammers that I have lol
Yeah those jackhammers just get the job done i love the versatility of the chatterbait itself you can do whatever you want with it swim with different speeds or hop off the bottom a fish will come eat it, just gotta watch that exposed hook,the quality of fish that it produces keeps me experimenting with it.
They are just marketing the EVO Jackhammer at price friendly. Its all about sales. I say if you like fishing with the $24 dollar Jackhammer or the Evo Jackhammer for $10. Buy one or both of them, because its your money and your the only one who worked for it.
I personally think sound is overrated! Lipless is like a one knocker. Im moving to silent cranks too. Real fish don’t make that much noise. Obviously a place for everything though
Originals are hit or miss . most have powder coat on the eye causing less thump and less hunting action .I use needle nose pliers to remove the extra. for a faster start up MH Moderate pre load the rod on retrieve. I've caught more with the OG on pressured water
The biggest issue with the original is the crappie hook. But it’s not worth $10 to get a good hook. I make my own chatterbaits for less than $3 a bait.
I disagree with you on every level. I’m not a tournament guy. I’m not a pro. But I have fished several versions of a chatterbait. The jackhammer has always outfished others for me. So good luck. I guess there’s a reason you’re not a pro and I’m not a pro.
This should not be a question "which on is better?". the real question is what your wallet said? because they're both good and catch fish, but one is to catch the fisherman only ... so this debate is just stupid. i've been catching fishing with the orginal chatter bait Z-Man first come out way back in then.
I get jack hummer from Japan $8 why pay for zman $20/$15 no thanks the new zman Evo cheap material they using after while the blade hole getting bigger
