I want to throw chatterbaits this year.  I did a little last year, but no luck.  What type of conditions should I use and how?  Which trailers are the most effective?  Should I use a mh/fast rod?  Thanks.

They work great in dirtier water - I've had best luck using them in dirty water or faster current conditions in black, with a matching twin-tail grub for a trailer.

Throw them any where at any time.

 

Use a plastic for a trailer and a trailer hook.

 

Fish them deep or fish them shallow.

 

Reel them in slow or reel them in fast.

 

Throw the big ones or the smaller ones.

 

As for colors, it depends on water color and clarity.

 

Give 'em a try in the grass, over the pads, along all wood, into and around rip-rap, deep, shallow, parallel to the bank, to the bank and back to you, out from the bank and back to you, over humps, along bear banks with nothing on the banks, over mud flats, over clay flats, by dams, around and through the trees, and if anyone comes close to you in their boat throw that sucker at them to chase those guys away.

 

The bass will let you know if 1) they want to eat them and 2) how they want them prepared for dinner.

I like them with water clarity 2' or less and a little rip on water. Do well working them over grass flats like a lipless crank. Also good bait along shore after a cold front when fish are holding tight to wood. I use a Havoc grass pig with about 1" cut off the nose for trailer and black/blue is my best producer.

You can use chatterbaits in the same conditions where you throw spinnerbaits.

What about "air clear" water? I have never used a chatterbait but am curious as to size, brand and color for skirt and trailer.

I fish them in very clear water with great success.  I use D&M Piranhas, in Baby Bass and Bluegill.  I use Keitech Fat Impacts to match, in the 3.8 size.

 

What about "air clear" water? I have never used a chatterbait but am curious as to size, brand and color for skirt and trailer.

They are an alternative to a spinnerbait, so anywhere a spinner bait might work, a chatter bait is an alternative.

Throw them any where at any time.

 

Use a plastic for a trailer and a trailer hook.

 

Fish them deep or fish them shallow.

 

Reel them in slow or reel them in fast.

 

Throw the big ones or the smaller ones.

 

As for colors, it depends on water color and clarity.

 

Give 'em a try in the grass, over the pads, along all wood, into and around rip-rap, deep, shallow, parallel to the bank, to the bank and back to you, out from the bank and back to you, over humps, along bear banks with nothing on the banks, over mud flats, over clay flats, by dams, around and through the trees, and if anyone comes close to you in their boat throw that sucker at them to chase those guys away.

 

The bass will let you know if 1) they want to eat them and 2) how they want them prepared for dinner.

This says it all !

A paddle tail swim bait of your choice as a trailer works grest also.

Mike