What z-man chatter bait would stay down deeper after letting it the bottom.  Most I have tried or made have the similar head to the Arkie jig.  I know a-man makes like 15 different chatter baits. 
 

ideally I would like it to try and stay down between 8-14 feet 

The heavier the better, I would also think trailer would make a difference.  I'd go with a blade style tail on the trailer. 

3/8 with a Zako trialer.

23 minutes ago, FishTank said:

3/8 with a Zako trialer.

Well I have some of the z-man version.  Those probably would help it stay down. 

21 minutes ago, Mbirdsley said:

Well I have some of the z-man version.  Those probably would help it stay down. 

You could try it for sure but in my experience the plastic Z-man uses sort of floats or is buoyant. 

Really depends on how fast you wanna work it. I can keep the 1.25oz. Zman Chatterbait Elite at 18-20' and retrieve it moderately. I use a Hog Farmer Spunk Shad in 4.5" for a trailer as it does not provide any lift but does fill out the body.

 

I can keep the 3/4oz. in 10-12' and the 1/2oz. in 6-10' relative to speed of retrieve.

 

Certain trailers provide lift and are counterintuitive. I don't even own a 3/8oz.

 

 

With that sort of depth I’d say a regular ole 3/8th would be suitable. I’d just count it down and use either a slow retrieve or a yo-yo retrieve. 

chatterbait cfl freedom with zako or zoom swimbait as a trailer

Would lead tape or lead buttons on the Chatterbait be an option to add weight to keep it deeper?

 

I use the Chatterbait as a spinnerbait so it travels over the tops of the grass and wood, but not to get it as deep as you are asking.

 

Or, have you thought of putting a pegged bullet weight on your line above the swivel and fish the Chatterbait on a 16 to 20 inch leader like a Carolina or MOJO rig, pulling it fast with your rod tip up to keep it off the bottom but keeping it deep at the same time?

 

Experiment and let us know what happens. This is the fun part of fishing. Doing something out of the box that no one else is or has been doing.

I use the 1/2 oz size and let it fall all the way to the bottom.  After it's on the bottom I just slow roll it back fast enough to feel it vibrate.

I don’t expect to stay on the bottom but, just try and stay down longer.  I’m thinking probably at least 1/2 oz 

I ordered 3 project z’s.  Found a 3 pack on eBay for $25.  Black and blue, chartreuse sexy Shad, and the bonus one was a  blue back Shad.
 

 First 2 should work for stained/muddy

 rivers down here.  Hopefully get deep on the drop offs on the Saginaw