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Best Chatterbait Rod – [Buyer’s Guide]
Chatterbaits can be one of the most effective lures for summer bass especially when fished over and along weed beds where bass love to hangout in warmer temperatures post spawn.
Choosing the best chatterbait rod means matching the rod power and action to how these lures are generally fished.
Look for a rod that has a medium/heavy power rating, a fast action and at least 7 feet in length as a minimum:
- Power – Medium/heavy power rating. You need a rod with quite a bit of backbone when working around thick cover. Fishing a 3/4 ounce chatterbait through thick weeds needs a rod blank with a lot of power.
- Action – Fast action. Most single hook lures require a fast action and chatterbaits are no exception. The only instance to use a more moderate action for a chatterbait rod is if you were going deep in open water. In that instance it might be better to slow down your hook set a little.
- Length – 7 foot long as a minimum. Rod length can affect casting distance and chatterbaits are usually worked over a large distance. A longer rod also helps steer bass out of thick weed as you get a little better leverage against them with a longer rod.
Occasionally you will see some anglers recommend using a bladed jig rod with a more moderate action. A moderate action will help to slow down your hook-set and this can be desirable it you are using a very large chatterbait or one with a big trailer.
Slowing the hook-set allows the bass to fully engulf your lure.
Personally I prefer to have the fast action. Slowly your strike by lifting your rod tip and reeling at the same time can give you the same action as a moderate tipped rod.
With the fast action you have the ability to strike either quickly or a bit slower by adjusting your striking technique.
Best Chatterbait Rods
1. Enigma Fishing Phenom Titanium
A real rising star in the bass rod building world Enigma are quickly making a name for themselves by producing some of the best performing rod blanks and very decent price points.
The Enigma Fishing Phenom Gen2 is one of the best chatterbait rods to have in your collection. The Toray Graphite blends on this rod are extremely sensitive and lightweight, yet strong, which is perfect for all kinds of fishing.
But for me, the best quality is its durability. Being as lightweight as it is, I had little hopes for how long this rod would last me, especially considering the size of the catch I sometimes reel in.
But boy, was I wrong! The rod has lasted me for years, even though I’ve captured some pretty big fish. It hadn’t broken in any way and seemed as sturdy as it was when I bought it.
The EVA handle on this rod is incredibly comfortable, I would usually end up with a few blisters or chaffs from fishing too much, but this rod has solved that problem for me. The handle helps me grip the rod comfortably and tightly for as long as I want without causing any damage to my hands.
No matter what depth I’m fishing in, I’ve found this rod to be one of the most well balanced, sensitive, and robust rods in my collection.
I’ve also used the rod during a few fishing competitions I’ve been a part of. I could see numerous other participants using the same rod as well, so I can safely say this is definitely a popular rod in the vibrating jig community. And why wouldn’t it be considering the rod ticks all the right boxes without being too pricey?
2. Lew’s Tournament Performance TP-1 Speed Stick
Chatterbait fishing rods have the perfect balance between balance, strength, and durability. I’ve used quite a few fishing rods, in search of the perfect one. I can safely say that the LEW’s TP173MH-CB speed stick rod is is a great option.
It’s basically a no-nonsense kind of rod that performs like a dream. The rod has a tenacious backbone that will allow you to haul big fish with ease and without snapping. Don’t let its appearance fool you; the rod is built with high-grade materials that make it durable.
It contains an American tackle microwave guide system which helps to eliminate wind knots and improve casting accuracy even at long distances. The Winn grips with Dri-Tac technology are unlike any other and allow you to grip with rod firmly yet comfortably for long periods without causing any significant discomfort.
No matter what the weather or fishing depth, the TP1 series rods always outperform all my other rods when it comes to chatterbait fishing, and I’ve seen some excellent rods in my day. I can take this rod with me without having to continually worry about the weather, draft, water depth, or a ton of other things. I can tell you that I’ve landed on one that works for me in every situation.
Other than the excellent construction of the rod itself, I was quite impressed by the IM8 graphite blanks too. It’s not every day that you come across blanks that have superior sensitivity and strength and are still incredibly lightweight!
3. Daiwa Tatula XT Bass
I’ve tested out numerous rods over the years in my quest for a decent chatterbait pole. I was looking for a rod that could work well while still being lightweight and durable.
One of the rods that I tried out a while ago is the Daiwa Tatula casting rod, and so far, it has proven to be my favorite rod for chatterbaits.
This neat little rod is indeed an engineering masterpiece with its super volume flow technology and a bias graphite fiber construction, which virtually eliminates blank twist. If you’re tired of weak rods that break easily, try this one out!
With chatterbait roads, I often find that manufacturers compromise on the durability or power while trying to make the rod more sensitive. But this was not the case with the Daiwa Tatula casting rod, which was both robust and delicate at the same time!
I found that the rod was sensitive enough to detect smaller catches and gave me a good feel for when the catch was secured on the hook. Something I often don’t get with rods that are geared more towards providing adequate resilience and power for larger fish.
However, the rod proved to be pretty powerful when I tested it out with larger fish as well. I’ve actually caught my biggest catch with this rod, and it delivered excellently.
I don’t feel the need to have a ton of different fishing rods for various circumstances or types of catches any more. I find that the Daiwa Tatula Casting Rod performs wonderfully for a large variety of my fishing escapades. Especially for chatterbait fishing.
4. UglyStik GX2 Casting
Do not go on the name of this product! This rod is the sleekest chatterbait rod I have ever come across! As any fishing enthusiast will know, Shakespeare is a well-known name in the fishing community, and UglyStik has always been a user favorite.
However, this second-generation, new, and improved version is nothing like I’ve ever seen before. This second-generation UglyStik has the same durability and power as its predecessor but has been made sleeker and more sensitive than before.
The GX2 fishing rod comes with a large variety of configurations for ease and specificity. There are 20 spinning models, 15 casting models, and three-pack rod options. Not to mention the six separate models for ladies as well.
It is constructed with both graphite and fiberglass to increase its robustness while still maintaining a good degree of sensitivity as well. I’ve had my fair share of large catches with this rod, and I can tell you this rod is powerful! I reeled in my biggest catch without the slightest fear of my rod failing!
The UglyStik’s one-piece stainless steel guides eliminate any chances for insert pop-outs and significantly increase the rod’s durability as well. UglyStik has maintained its clear tip design that it’s famous for in the newer model as well and incorporated EVA grips that make the rod super comfortable to hold for long periods. I’ve gone on long day trips with my rod and have not experienced chaffing or any sort of discomfort whatsoever.
Besides this, the rod retails for a surprisingly great price though it has such excellent construction and so many features! I would very confidently put this up against an expensive rig any day. I’ve been using this rod for a very long time, and it has not failed me even once.
5. Fenwicks World Class Casting Rod
Fenwick’s World Class casting rod is the most sensitive rod I have ever come across in all my time fishing.
You can quickly feel the bait vibrating and the hook and bait bumping off, which just goes to show how sensitive the rod is.
However, I’ve caught some pretty big fish with the rod, and I can tell you this rod is definitely one of my more powerful rods. I can easily fish in both shallow and deep waters with this rod without any reservations about its performance.
As mentioned before, I have tested this rod out on heavy baits as well and found that it did indeed perform excellently. I had no trouble with reeling in my larger catches, and its high sensitivity was great for all my smaller catches as well.
This rod is nothing if not durable. It performed better than my expectations in all the years I’ve been using it. The rod has not decreased in performance and has been consistent in every single way, whether it is sensitivity or power.
Another important factor to mention is its low weight! The rod is lightweight enough to be used for long periods without causing any fatigue and or add additional weight to big catches.
All in all, I am more than satisfied with Fenwick’s World Class fishing rod and use it for a wide variety of fishing trips. Whether I’m fishing in deep or shallow waters and regardless of how the weather is, I can easily count on my rod to provide a good catch.
6. Dobyns Champion Extreme HP
I’ve only had one favorite casting rod as a bass angler, and that’s Dobyn’s Champion Extreme HP casting rod.
Over the years, I’ve tried to test out different rods, as well, just to see if I can find something newer or better since I’ve been using this rod for a while now. But nothing has come close to giving the same performance as my faithful Dobyn’s casting rod.
The rod has an uncanny balance between power, sensitivity, and durability that I have yet to find in another rod.
I’ve learned the hard way that not being properly equipped or having a rod that does not perform as well will ultimately only result in a disappointing fishing day, no matter how good the other circumstances may be. This is why I take my old rod with me even if trying a new one, and so far, I’m glad I’ve been doing this.
Dobyn’s Champion Extreme HP casting rod is a heavy rod! I’ve caught some of my best and biggest catches with this rod, and I’ve always had a great time wrangling in a great bass!
It would help if your bait had a decent weight if you want to catch a decent sized fish, so I’d often use baits of around two pounds. Yet the rod is sensitive enough for me to feel the bait vibrating and give me a good idea when the catch has been hooked on properly.
The rod comes with slopped frames and tangle-free Fuji K-series concept guides for long casting distances and to improve casting accuracy as well. I can go on all day about all the features this rod contains.
But I find that the best test of a rod is in the results it produces, and I’ve witnessed excellent results with Dobyn’s Champion Extreme HP casting rod.
7. SHIMANO Zodias Casting Rods
If you’re looking for a rod that fairs well in both innovation and performance, then Shimano’s Zodias casting rod is the best chatterbait rod you will find in the market.
I was a little skeptical about getting the rod initially because I’m always a bit wary of rods that claim to have great technological advancements.
I often find that such rods neglect the traditional concepts of power, sensitivity, durability, and comfort for the sake of innovation. But this rod proved me wrong, and I’m so glad that it did because I now have an all-time favorite rod that has given me my best catches.
The Zodias casting rod is made with Hi-Power X construction, which produces the rod through a unique wrapping technique to improve casting efficiency and accuracy. Although the rod didn’t state that it provides longer casting distances as well, it certainly has done so for me.
The Fuji semi-micro aconite guide utilized by the rod is perfectly sized, not too small and not too large either. The EVA foam split grip handles are super comfortable and help to avoid chafing as well. The Ci4+ reel seat is both lightweight and rigid and can transmit vibrations in a much better way. Making it one of the most sensitive rods I have ever come across.
Although the rod is undoubtedly an excellent chatterbait pole, its versatile nature makes it excellent for spinnerbait use as well. Although the lure weight recommendations shouldn’t be ignored, I have had tons of success with all sizes of catches. Even while fishing in cold weather, you can actually feel the strike on the slackline!
Which just goes to show how sensitive the rod is. Other than this, the durability and low weight of the rod are also commendable features that make this rod an excellent chatterbait fishing pole.