Hi Everyone,

I did a search on chatterbaits and have read a ton - but if the answer is on here PLEASE direct me to that location.

 

My question is - what are the different methods you use to connect a chatterbait blade directly to the eye of the bait - NOT WITH A SPLIT RING.  I have read articlles, asked fishing buddies and watched videos and there are different suggestuons but I am interested in your feedback.

 

Also, can you purchase open eye hooks that can be poured and then closed?  And if pouring with and open eye hook, I imagine it just requires a modification to the mold for the larger diameter eye - UNLESS - there is a mold manufacturer that makes a mold for an open eye (if they are available) hook?

 

I just want to streamline the process and avoid others pitfalls if possible.  Thanks in advance to everyone.

I modified a swinging poison head mold so that I can pour direct connect bladed jigs. They're kind of a pain to pour but I make it work. 

The only way I know is to open the hook eye.  I find that I break as many as I am able to use and I lose some as I don't get the eye closed as good as I should.  I've never seen or heard of an open eye hook.

If you plan on selling them you will be in for a rude awakening. Look at what is on the market now, Z-Man was granted a patent on both the shape of the blade and the way the blade is connected. Ask the good people at D&L what happens when you sell a bladed jig with a blade directly attached, I'm sure they will respond with some kind words for Z-Man. If you want to make them for yourself then there are a few ways to do it but if you plan to sell, and I'm thinking you are, you will get hit with a cease and desist or taken to court depending how many they think you've sold, and if you think you are too small to attract attention you'll be surprised at how fast they get to you. I'm not being funny or sarcastic, I'm just warning you now, I know of several small independent lure manufacturers that have had trouble over this very same topic.

Bluebasser, Jig Man, and Smalljaw - thank you all and d**n! (smalljaw) - I had read some grumblings about chatterbaits ending up in a litigious situation but I didn't know it was that touchy.  I ABSOLUTELY appreciate you looking out for myself and any others that read your comments.  It's very cool of you to have taken the time to do that.  Thanks again.

 

So, if I do NOT sell them, I still want to direct connect the blade.  It looks like the best method is using a punch but I know that the metal is brittle and it's definitely risky to bend open then "re-bend" shut - which is why I was looking for an "open eye" option. So any additional thoughts appreciated for sure.

If you use a spinnerbait mould you can form a loop in the wire to attach the chatterbait blade easily. Works well and my chatterbaits made that way hunt as well as any I've seen.

Thanks Tim and much appreciated - saw someone else doing that too and I make spinnerbaits so should be pretty straightforward!  Thanks again.

 

27 minutes ago, cabled70 said:

Thanks Tim and much appreciated - saw someone else doing that too and I make spinnerbaits so should be pretty straightforward!  Thanks again.

 

Spinner baits is one of the way I make them.  2 things I have found:   1 you have to get the space closed all the way or you will throw the blade off and only get it back (especially if you hit anything on the cast),   2  there is no need to   waste a full spinner bait wire on a chatter bait.  I bought some 39 ga wire and cut it into small strips.  I put a bend in it to place in the hook eye and let the rest stick out of the mold.  I don't recall the exact length but the wires are less than 1 inch long.

4 hours ago, cabled70 said:

Bluebasser, Jig Man, and Smalljaw - thank you all and d**n! (smalljaw) - I had read some grumblings about chatterbaits ending up in a litigious situation but I didn't know it was that touchy.  I ABSOLUTELY appreciate you looking out for myself and any others that read your comments.  It's very cool of you to have taken the time to do that.  Thanks again.

 

So, if I do NOT sell them, I still want to direct connect the blade.  It looks like the best method is using a punch but I know that the metal is brittle and it's definitely risky to bend open then "re-bend" shut - which is why I was looking for an "open eye" option. So any additional thoughts appreciated for sure.

I watched your videos (very good) and I figured you might be into selling your lures which is why I responded to this thread. D&M had a popular bladed jig called the Piranha and they had to stop selling them, now if you go to Tackle Warehouse you'll see they have the Piranha II swim jig and you'll see it has a split ring to attach the blade, they used an oval one at first and it was causing the blade to foul but they now went with a round ring and the bait works fine now. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that you will draw attention as Z-Man had Evergreen International go in with them on their new Jackhammer chatterbait, Evergreen is a high end Japanese company and the bait they are selling is $15.99, knowing how expensive they are I doubt they will have much patience for anyone selling a bait with even a small infringement issue so I wanted to make sure you knew the way the blade is attached is protected.

Additionally you cannot use the name "Chatterbait " as it is protected as well. 

 

Allen 

Thank you all for the additional information and props on my videos smalljaw - really REALLY dig yours too - a good buddy of mine is tying hair jigs thanks to the great detail in the vids! Again, I VERY MUCH appreciate the heads up on the possible heat I could've walked into over these companies getting upset!

 

I will definitely do the spinnerbait mold route and get a spool of wire Jig Man.  The spinnerbaits I make have 035 wire so I am used to bending that - go with something heavier (039 like Jig Man suggested) because it is just plain and simply stronger?  I know - DUH, yes!  And thanks for the pic and heads up too Munkin!

 

This is a great site with awesome information and I thank you all for taking the time to provide feedback!

 

 

22 hours ago, cabled70 said:

So, if I do NOT sell them, I still want to direct connect the blade.  It looks like the best method is using a punch but I know that the metal is brittle and it's definitely risky to bend open then "re-bend" shut - which is why I was looking for an "open eye" option. So any additional thoughts appreciated for sure.

I put the tip of the eye (end of the wire)in a machinist vise and bend open just enough to slip the blade in and close just enough so the blade will stay in.  By opening and closing the hook as little as possible it works.

That's a great tip Andy007, thanks for the info!

The Gamakatsu 30 degree hooks fit in the Sparkie mold and can be bent without breaking.

 

Allen 

Thanks Munkin, I will check that out!!!