The One Bait I’d Choose for Bass Fishing

Story by Corey Casey | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons

As an angler, I get asked this question all the time: “If you could only fish with one bait for bass, what would it be?” For me, the answer is simple—the Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer. Truthfully, any quality bladed jig will work, but if I had to choose one, it’s hard to beat the original. The ChatterBait has become the most consistent, versatile, and confidence-building bait in my arsenal.

A Year-Round Producer

One of the biggest reasons the ChatterBait is my number one choice is that I can catch bass on it 365 days a year. It doesn’t matter if I’m fishing up north or down south, or if the water temperature is in the low 40s or pushing into the 90s, the ChatterBait gets bit. Few baits have that kind of range. Some lures shine in the spring but fade in the heat of summer, while others are deadly in the fall but unreliable in cold water. The ChatterBait bridges all of those seasonal gaps.

Its vibrating blade gives off a unique thump that bass simply can’t resist. In cold water, that vibration provokes reaction strikes from lethargic fish. In warm water, it imitates the forage bass are actively chasing, whether that’s shad, herring, or bluegill. No matter the conditions, it’s a bait that flat-out works.

Trailer Options That Change the Game

Another reason I put so much trust in this lure is the flexibility it gives me with trailers. By swapping out the plastic on the back, I can completely change the presentation without ever cutting the bait off.

Straight-tail trailers like the Crush City Freeloader keep the action subtle and tight, which is perfect for cooler water or when bass are dialed in on baitfish.

Swimbait trailers add a natural kicking motion, creating a bulkier profile that’s deadly during shad or herring spawns.

Craw-style trailers like the Zoom Magnum Ultra Vibe Speed Craw create extra thump and vibration, which is exactly what I want around grass lines, stumps, or when fish are feeding on bluegill and crawfish.

These options allow me to adapt quickly. If the fish tell me they want a smaller profile, I can go that direction. If they need more action and bulk, I can adjust instantly. That versatility is why the ChatterBait stays tied on no matter where I’m fishing.

The Gear Setup

To get the most out of a ChatterBait, you need the right gear. Line choice is a critical part of the setup. I always throw mine on 20-pound fluorocarbon. It gives me the strength to pull fish out of cover and handle big bites, but it also helps keep the bait riding higher in the water column, which is where I want it most of the time.

Rod choice is just as important. A rod designed specifically for bladed jigs makes a big difference in hook-up and landing ratio. Personally, I use a 7-foot 4-inch Daiwa Tatula Elite Glass Cranking Rod. That rod has the perfect balance of backbone and parabolic bend. It’s long enough for good casting distance and leverage, but soft enough in the tip to keep fish pinned when they thrash at the boat. Paired with the right reel, this setup lets me fish the bait all day with confidence.

Why It’s My Confidence Bait

At the end of the day, the ChatterBait is more than just another lure—it’s my confidence bait. When fishing gets tough and I need to put a fish in the boat, this is what I tie on. I’ve caught bass on it in every season, in every water condition, and in tournaments all across the country. It’s the bait I trust not just for myself, but also for my clients when I’m guiding on Santee Cooper.

If I could only choose one bait for the rest of my bass-fishing life, there’s no doubt in my mind it would be the ChatterBait. It covers water, it adapts with trailer changes, it produces bites under every condition, and—most importantly—it consistently puts fish in the boat.