What's wrong with this lure

[Shawn M]

Hi guys,

I put a bait together thinking the action would be great...it isn't. I was hoping someone could give me some insight on what is wrong with this.

I went with a 3/8 oz arky head with a 5/0 hook, #4 fluted blade, a 3" shad body, and 20 strand skirt.

I was hoping it would shake like a chatter style lure with a SB blade. Needless to say, the tail doesn't seem to vibrate at all. It is pretty much a SB (action running straight), but if you slow roll it or try and jig it the blade catches the hook.

The only things I can think of is to trim the skirt or shorten the arm.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Shawn

[bassn1]

I tried that with just a shad body....same results. I think the split ring deadens the action. Also on the chatter bait, the blade is fastened directly to the jig head. It's the chatter blade itself that gives the jighead all its action.

[LOZ]

As far as why the tail doesnt have much action, id say just try a different swimbait. that one doesnt look like it has a very big tail which can make a difference

[Shawn M]

LOZ,

Do you think upsizing to a 4" shad would help, or would it be too big?

Shawn

[ron g]

why not put a 3 or 4 inch twister tail on it. that would give you tail action. I use 4 inch twister tails on spinerbaits all the time and get great action.

[bassman843]

your jig needs to be molded on the wire you have it connected with a slit ring also your wire thickness could be an issue

[sagacious]

I fish spinnerbaits similar to that one all the time. Once you put the split ring in there, it does change some ways the bait works. However, it will still fish like a spinnerbait, and not like a chatterbait. In my opinion and experience, there is only one practical use for a bait designed like this, and that's for BIG fish. Unless you're fishing for large saltwater fish or musky's, a standard spinnerbait or chatterbait design is probably a better bait for a variety of reasons.

First, the wire blade arm should be shorter than a "standard" spinnerbait. Occasionally you'll get one where the jighead length, arm length, and blade size conspire to make the hook catch the blade. Shortening the blade arm wire is the best fix. Cut it down 1/4" at a time until the blade no longer catches the hook. If you want to jig it, the blade arm definitely needs to be shorter.

Changing the blade style or size can keep the hook from catching it. Long blades such as large size willows, or larger indianas seem to cause more problems than colorados, and smaller willows. If you still have occasional problems, try a nice, fat deep-cup colorado instead.

Shortening the swivel/blade section of the bait helps too. If the wire will fit through the bb swivel eye, remove the split ring holding the swivel to the wire loop, and rig the swivel straight to the wire loop. Hope that makes sense. This, plus a deep-cup colorado, will give you more vibration.

The tail of that shad looks like it has some problems. Switch it out for another brand, or a larger shad, and don't thread (jam) it onto the hook so far. Or, take Ron G's excellent advice and go to a twistertail. Even if you put a shad on there with FANTASTIC action and wiggle, the bait will still fish like a spinnerbait, and not a chatterbait.

Hope this helps, good luck!