The Difference Between Bladed Swim Jigs & Spinnerbaits
Invented in 1951, the "safety pin" or overhead blade style spinnerbait is probably the most popular spinnerbait design for bass anglers. The most prominent features of this design is a wire frame that is bent roughly 90 degrees and embedded at its base in a bullet-shaped lead head with a single hook behind it. Dressed with a skirt and various types of blades, the spinnerbait has been a reliable fish catching lure for many years.
The "Original Chatterbait®" hit the market in 2004 and became the rage in 2005 after a tournament win in south Florida. Both have a lead head, a hook, and a blade but the "buck stops there". The goals are the same, but the results are vastly different. The spinnerbait does put off some vibration and flash when retrieve but this vibration and flash pails in comparison when compared to a swim jig. The Chatterbait® also has a noise factor when retrieved. There is not a spinnerbait made that can achieve the rattling or clattering sound created by the Chatterbait®. Yes, you can add rattles, but the spinnerbait is designed to be a straight running lure with no side to side motion, thus the rattles have no motion that will cause them to sound. When comparing the two, the Chatterbait® also has a larger range of retrieval presentations. With the spinnerbait your are pretty much limited to a standard medium retrieve, the slow roll, or a high speed retrieve. Yes, you can stop your retrieve and let the lure drop, but by design, the spinnerbait does not have an inviting appearance when tumbling to the bottom. The Chatterbait® can do all the above and more. When dropped is has a natural life like appearance when falling to the bottom. Varying on the speed of retrieve, the Chatterbait® will give you a darting action, a wobbling action, and a straight line action all on the same retrieve. You can vertically jig the Chatterbait®, bump it along the bottom, jump it off the bottom, wake it on the top, pitch it, flip it, and skip it. Try some of the techniques with a spinnerbait and you will wind up with a backlash form the dark side.
Pro Tip : When should you choose a Chatterbait® verses a spinnerbait? EVERYTIME YOU GO FISHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
