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Data for Review

Date – 2006 season
Manufacturer – Rad Lures
Reviewed by - Andrew Ragas

About Rad Lures Chatterbaits:

Rad Lures Chatterbaits took the angling world by storm in 2006 as numerous BIG Bass were fooled. The Chatterbait was designed to be retrieved around various underwater structures with the action of a crankbait, profile of a jig, and flash of a spinnerbait.

The Chatterbait, produced by Rad Lures of South Carolina, began as a home-made basement creation that quickly turned into a success story. Lure co-founder, Ron Davis Jr. claimed his father Ron Davis Sr. had “tinkered and piddled with different versions of the bait for 25 years." During the time, many styles and versions of the bait were created and tested. It was not until 2005 when the final perfected version of the bait became available to the market.

The bait went rather unnoticed to the angling world until Bryan Thrift won the Southeast division Stren Series at Lake Okeechobee on January 7, 2006. Once word got out and secrets were revealed, many other anglers started proclaiming their success on the bait across the internet. Since then, and quickly, Rad Lures has taken thousands of orders for ChatterBaits with no signs of slowing down.

Impressions:

I first began using the Chatterbait midway through the summer of 2006. At first, I had no idea what the heck this lure was. I was hearing so much talk about it and thought the lure was some sort of a joke because it had a silly name. Once I became more familiar with the lure, I had strong feelings that it was just an on-line gimmick - somewhat like the old Banjo Minnow which never seemed to produce any luck. After reading numerous online articles, testimonials, and fishing reports on acclaimed websites like Tackle Tour, I decided to give the lure a try because I had nothing to lose.

My first Chatterbaits were purchased in July, 2006 and shortly after my first purchase of three patterned baits, I was on fish quickly in just a matter of days.

On the water uses (Casting, Durability, and Presentation)

Casting & Retrieving.

During its review period, the Chatterbait was worked entirely on baitcasting gear. The standard casting rods and reels I use for medium action application presentations are rods between 6 to 7ft in length, and reels with a capacity for 10 or 12lb line.

The Chatterbait can be retrieved at numerous speeds which make it versatile. It can be fished as fast as a blazing spinnerbait, as lazy as a crankbait, and as slow as a jig crawling along the bottom.

The ideal speeds I found myself fishing the Chatterbait was with a fast to medium-fast retrieve. Throughout its review period, the majority of the fish caught were fooled by the constant wobbling & fast swimming retrieve, which proved effective everywhere it was fished. As a Chatterbait user, I feel that the lure looks most natural and appetizing to fish when it swims in a constant movement.

Durability.

Assessing the lure's durability is where the product fails to meet standards. There are a few issues I have with this bait and they are the following:

1) The elastic trailer wears off too easily and slides off the hook. It would be great if extra replacement skirts came in package. If that was the case, then I would get my money's worth.

2) The skirt is not durable by any means. After a quick 5 to 10 fish it stops holding onto the hook and I often end up replacing the original skirt with a more durable skirt made by either Booyah or Northland.

3) Blade is too weak. After a few PIG Bass, it won't be long before the blade gets weak and breaks off.

With better, improved components, the Chatterbait could become a much more productive lure than what it already is.

Presentation.

I often found myself using the Chatterbait in waters that offer the Largemouth Bass numerous areas of cover - weeds, grass, the salad, etc. My performance with the Chatterbait seemed to be at its best in places with heavy weed-growth. If the lure was fished in waters lacking much structure and cover, then I would perform poorly with it.

The Chatterbait can be fished as a lure for both active and inactive fish. It is a great lure for finding reaction strikes during the middle of a cold-front. In addition, it is great for covering large expanses of water. It is a lure than can be applied to all forms of water - when fished properly, of course.

Anyone who considers themselves to be anglers can fish the Rad Lures Chatterbait with success. Whether you're a casual weekend angler, or a hard-core professional money-maker, the lure will be a large producer of fish for you. They keyword for the Chatterbait is "versatility". If you put some thought to it, the lure can be applied to all forms of water.

Construction & Quality:  Obvious mprovements can be made to the make-up of the lure such as stronger and more durable skirt and trailer materials. In addition, a stronger blade can be had too - one that bends less frequently.  3/5

On The Water Uses:  Great for any particular use. Zero complaints.   5/5

Design (ergonomics):  Chatterbait is designed to be fished through weeds. About 90% of the time, it does fish weedless.  4/5

Presentation:  Fish the lure fast, lazy, or slow. Its versatility is unique.  5/5

Price:  A rather expensive small piece of fishing gear, considering it has a skirt, trailer, and blade that is prone to falling apart.  3/5

Total Score - - - 4/5

 

Positive:

- Lure is as versatile as it gets.

- Best when fished through weeds and grass.

- Great lure design and action for Northern Pike and Muskies.

- Weedless design.

Negative:

- Weak components.

- Hefty price.

- Better quality look-alike lures can be found elsewhere.

 

22", 7lb Largemouth Bass from Florida. Victim of the 3/8oz white Chatterbait fished through

shoreline weeds.