IMO the chatterbait especially in the late winter to prespawn is the is one of the best baits you throw and it is my favorite bait to use.  I have heard people say you need a fast reel for a chatterbait to catch up to fish that push the bait towards you but I cant think of to many times that's happened to me.  I like a 6.2:1 that way its difficult even when your on autopilot to work the bait to fast.  Im buying a 20 metanium soon and I am at loss whether to get the 6.2:1(B) or the 7.1:1(HG).  The difference is about 4 inches per crank which doesn't sound like a lot but it adds up.  I wouldn't just use it for chatterbaits, it would be used for everything.  So lets hear it, what is your preferred ratio to fish a chatterbait on? and If you in my situation which metanium would you buy? the 6.2:1 or 7.1:1. 

Put me in the "slower is better" camp for chatter baits. I have never had the problem of a fish out swimming my reel speed and I fish with 6:4 or slower. With those faster ratios, I feel like it's just so hard to slow that bait down.

 

Do you skip your chatter bait?

 

I ask because I have several metaniums and they are not my reel of choice for chatter baits these days. Especially for skipping. 

I do, but not often.  Most of the lakes around me are small and shallow with a limited number of docks.  I don't like to skip bladed jigs into laydowns and wood because odds are youre gonna get snagged.  Even if you do get the bait back you pretty much blow that spot out for a while.  Most of the time I just skip a jig, senko or creature bait.  Supposedly zmans weedless chatterbait doesn't hang up nearly as much in wood.  Im going to order some and see what happens.  Ive heard the older tatula sv is a good skipping reel.  Ive heard good things about the new SV, but nothing about how it skips.  I would imagine it would be just as good or better then the older model.  I was hoping the older SVs would be on clearance after the new model came out, but there still as much or more then the new one depending where you get your price from. 

I am in the same group, slower...I use a 6.3:1 reel...

 

I have a couple of the  new Tatula SV TW reels and they are a great reel for skipping baits. Never tried skipping a chatterbait though....

I  throw mine on a 6 speed reel.

I like to throw them on a 6 gear ratio also, I typically only retrieve fast enough to get the bait moving properly.

6:3 to 1.

6. gear for me also

6 ratio for me also. Using a 6.3 Tatula SV right now.

6.3