tackletour recently did a review on the strike king thunder cricket and gave it an 8.0/10 which is a great score and mentioned some similarities and differences with the jackhammer. at the $13.99 price point of the thunder cricket, is it worth saving a few bucks or spending a few more on the jackhammer?

 

personally, i've stuck to the original, elite, and custom chatterbait's and have had fairly good success, but i've been very tempted to step it up to the jackhammer since everyone i talk to raves about them being much more dominant that the lower level chatterbaits. let me know what you guys think

 

The cricket can actually be had at a lot of places for $10.99.  If it's as good as the hammer...

3 hours ago, RichF said:

The cricket can actually be had at a lot of places for $10.99.  If it's as good as the hammer...

exactly why i'm interested to see if anyone has fished it and can compare

I'd like to see a comparison of what the difference is between the Thunder Cricket and the Pure Poison because they look the same to me.

It's not that hard to find Jackhammers for around 13 bucks, so I'm not getting why 1-2 dollars less is worth even considering. 

Recently watched a video comparing the 2 and one of the eyes of the thunder cricket fell off shortly after taking it out of the package.

I picked up a 1/2 oz green pumpkin thunder cricket this weekend and took turns throwing it and a 1/2 oz green pumpkin jackhammer on a local lake with some decent grass.  The thunder cricket definitely doesn't thump/vibrate as hard as the jackhammer.  They also sound different in the water (the thunder cricket really does sound like a cricket).  The JH is more erratic and hunts better.  For me at least the TC came through grass better.  I was able to fish the TC a little slower through the grass without getting fouled up.  As far as catching fish, they both produced at almost the same rate.  I definitely like the color choices of the JH over the color choices of the TC.

 

I still favor the jackhammer, but I am pretty sure there will be days when the more subtle thump of the TC will catch more fish.  If bladed jigs are a key part of what you do, your probably going to want to have both baits in your boat.

I Decided to get a couple Jackhammers to see what all the hype is about. I know that DSG will pricematch certain competitors so I searched and found the Jackhammer's on sale at Scheels for $12.79 so I brought the ad to my local DSG and the lady said they weren't the same thing because they sell theirs for $19.99 and Scheels regular price was $15.99. I assured her they were and pointed out everything was exactly the same (I felt like saying just because you overprice stuff doesn't mean everybody does but I held my tongue) and she didn't put up much of a fight and agreed to price match on the 1/2oz. Jackhammers. I also had a $10 off coupon so I ended up getting 2 for $16+ (figures out to be $8+ each). This is the only way I'd buy them...can't see myself paying regular price of $16 - $20 for a chatterbait. I got the BHite Delight color and the Spot Remover color. Haven't been fishing yet here in the North but soon and I'll update my findings if they hype is warranted :).

On 4/26/2019 at 8:44 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I'd like to see a comparison of what the difference is between the Thunder Cricket and the Pure Poison because they look the same to me.

+1 on the comparison to the Pure Poison and the Thunder Cricket ... So many Pro's use the Jack Hammer (who are not even sponsored ) which tells you a lot right there ! Besides quality components used with great colors  - the main appeal of a Jack Hammer is the "instant start up " with no delay in action once you start the retrieve. 

If this thread was about which name was cooler, it would be a harder decision.