Are there any cases where not having a trailer on a jig head, chatterbait, or spinnerbait  gets more bites? I wonder if the fish see the action of the skirt just as enticing if not more.

For spinnerbaits I have had a better hookup ratio with out a trailer.

 

Jigs I add a trailer.

 

Chatter, I've just about given up on for the year. But like jigs I get bit more with than without.

I've never tried, but I would say the trailer adds bulk, and action that attracts fish.

If anything I would rather run a jig and chatterbait with a trailer, and no skirt.

Jigs & Chatterbaits without trailers?? 

 

I often use a spinnerbait without a trailer.

 

Jigs and chatterbaits almost always have one.

 

A guy could try using all of them without a trailer and see how it goes...and then compare it to how it goes WITH trailers.

9 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Jigs & Chatterbaits without trailers?? 

 

I read that in striped bass fishing its best to use bucktail jigs without trailers when the water is clear. I thought that maybe there are such cases with bass.

8 minutes ago, unhooked said:

I read that in striped bass fishing its best to use bucktail jigs without trailers when the water is clear. I thought that maybe there are such cases with bass.

Just messin' with ya. And yes, a Chatterbait and a jig will catch bass without a trailer. But I think adding a trailer just increases your chances. 

 

As far as hair jigs (I only use them on smallies) go, I never use trailers. Those are great all by themselves. 

For me it goes...spinner bait almost never a trailer...chatterbait most of the time...jig always a trailer.

4 hours ago, Hewhospeaksmuchbull said:

For spinnerbaits I have had a better hookup ratio with out a trailer.

 

Jigs I add a trailer.

 

Chatter, I've just about given up on for the year. But like jigs I get bit more with than without.

^^ same here.  Sometimes I think the trailers are a bit much and have had good results without them on occasions 

I've added skirts to spoons and have seen it make a big difference in getting more bites. Not related just rambling

I always put a trailer on chatterbaits and jigs, but I don't think I have ever used a trailer on a spinnerbait. I have fished small 1/8 oz. jigs without a trailer a few times before and have had mixed results.

I always seem to have a trailer on them, maybe next time they are not working I'll remove the trailer.

For certain situations, I fish a jig with no trailer and do fantastic. Spinnerbaits no trailer, chatterbaits always have a trailer. 

Jigs = always, swimjigs=always, buzzbait = almost never, chatterbait= 50/50 spinnerbait = almost never

Let me think about this...jig n pig wouldn't exist without a trailer.

Hair jig with a pork rind trailer was the original jig pig.

Bass target the trailer after being attracted by blades or noise, skirts add color.

Tom

Jigs and chatters always a trailer. Spinnerbaits never a trailer always a trailer hook. 

 

Spinnerbait only occasionally gets a trailer.

Bladed jig always has a trailer.

Jig always has a trailer except maybe a hair jig in really cold water.

For me, jigs always get a trailer. Spinnerbaits get a paddletail trailer in the early spring. Chatterbaits almost always get a trailer unless I'm throwing a light chatterbait into cover and want a slower initial fall.