I'm looking for a good chatterbait rod in the $125-175 range.  I'd prefer it to be less than 7 feet, but I've figured out 6'6" is too short.  Fast action is preferred just to keep some versatility, but it will be 95% chatterbaits.  I'm currently using a 6'9" MH Fast action Abu Garcia Vendetta- it's actually been an awesome setup for fishing chatterbaits but wanting to see if I can find something a bit lighter and more sensitive.

Dobyns Sierra 704c or 684c if you prefer shorter. The rod is rated as H/F but Dobyns H is others MH and MH is others M and so on. The Sierra in particular is on the slower side or F, behaving more like a MF. It is THE "budget" Dobyns rod of choice for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, lipless crankbaits etc. And it still makes for a pretty darn good rod for many other techniques like Texas rigs, 3/8oz jigs + trailer, some top waters, etc. 

 

$160

 

To me this is the most versatile rod in the world. If I could only have one rod it would be the 4 power Sierra, even if you gave me a $800 budget.

3 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

Dobyns Sierra 704c or 684c if you prefer shorter. The rod is rated as H/F but Dobyns H is others MH and MH is others M and so on. The Sierra in particular is on the slower side or F, behaving more like a MF. It is THE "budget" Dobyns rod of choice for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, lipless crankbaits etc. And it still makes for a pretty darn good rod for many other techniques like Texas rigs, 3/8oz jigs + trailer, some top waters, etc. 

 

$160

 

 

That's good info.

 

If I'm sticking to a 3/8 oz chatterbait, should I consider the 703c instead or just go right to the 704?

Just now, ajschn06 said:

 

 

That's good info.

 

If I'm sticking to a 3/8 oz chatterbait, should I consider the 703c instead or just go right to the 704?

4 power all the way.

 

Anything 3/8oz + trailer feels and fishes very bad on a 3 power. 4 power is perfect.

1 minute ago, ajschn06 said:

 

 

That's good info.

 

If I'm sticking to a 3/8 oz chatterbait, should I consider the 703c instead or just go right to the 704?

I would stick to the 704 - once you add the weight of the skirt, hook, blade and trailer to that 3/8 chatter...you're pushing a 3-power Dobyns

Just now, ironbjorn said:

4 power all the way.

 

Anything 3/8oz + trailer feels and fishes very bad on a 3 power. 4 power is perfect.

 

Thanks, appreciate it.  I've noticed such a difference in success rates on this bait with the rod I want to make the right decision.  My 6'9" MH Vendetta Fast rated 1/4-1 oz was great but I had a Fenwick HMG 7' MH 3/8-1 oz and a Tatula Bass 6'10" MH Fast 1/4-1 oz and both of those were not good for this purpose!

1 minute ago, ajschn06 said:

My 6'9" MH Vendetta Fast rated 1/4-1 oz was great but I had a Fenwick HMG 7' MH 3/8-1 oz and a Tatula Bass 6'10" MH Fast 1/4-1 oz and both of those were not good for this purpose!

I've had lots of success on my Fury 704C with chatters.

 

Funny enough, my 7' Aird-X MH/F also does well with chatters.

I realize that the OP asked about a rod, but don't forget about the reel.  People on here have asked how to make a bladed jig run deeper and quite often the solution is to simply reel slower.  Make sure you select a reel that has a lower gear ratio rather than one that has a blazing speed.  Simply reeling slower is not always an easy thing to do so if the reel is designed to do it for you, in theory it should be easier.

8 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Funny enough, my 7' Aird-X MH/F also does well with chatters.

I love mine. I use it for spinners and chatterbaits. Even some top waters occasionally. 

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

I realize that the OP asked about a rod, but don't forget about the reel.  People on here have asked how to make a bladed jig run deeper and quite often the solution is to simply reel slower.  Make sure you select a reel that has a lower gear ratio rather than one that has a blazing speed.  Simply reeling slower is not always an easy thing to do so if the reel is designed to do it for you, in theory it should be easier.

I like a standard HS speed (around 30 IPT) myself.  I don't often find myself in water deeper than 12'.  I tried the Tatula SV HS reel at 28" IPT because i thought it would be a good medium, but found it wasn't fast enough for me. 

10 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

I've had lots of success on my Fury 704C with chatters.

 

Funny enough, my 7' Aird-X MH/F also does well with chatters.

No experience with that particular rod but I found the AirD-X line to be just a tad softer than the tatula line so that would make sense!

22 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

Dobyns Sierra 704c or 684c if you prefer shorter. The rod is rated as H/F but Dobyns H is others MH and MH is others M and so on. The Sierra in particular is on the slower side or F, behaving more like a MF. It is THE "budget" Dobyns rod of choice for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, lipless crankbaits etc. And it still makes for a pretty darn good rod for many other techniques like Texas rigs, 3/8oz jigs + trailer, some top waters, etc. 

 

$160

 

To me this is the most versatile rod in the world. If I could only have one rod it would be the 4 power Sierra, even if you gave me a $800 budget.

It sounds like it- I love a versatile rod!  I see they can be had on *** Fishing for $150 shipped!

3 minutes ago, huZZah said:

I love mine. I use it for spinners and chatterbaits. Even some top waters occasionally. 

 

1 minute ago, ajschn06 said:

No experience with that particular rod but I found the AirD-X line to be just a tad softer than the tatula line so that would make sense!

Well, with the 'shuffle' I'm doing for next year with the new reel I just got.

 

Patriarch 7.9:1 (32-IPT) is going on the Aird-X for moving baits (spinners/chatters/buzz)

Patriarch 7.1:1 (29-IPT) - the new purchase - is going on my Fury 704 for bottom contact.

I’ll also say I think the AirdX is great for moving baits, but I find it to be unresponsive with finesse (bottom contact). Like holding a lightning rod in doors during a sunny day. 
 

So good call IMO. 

3 minutes ago, huZZah said:

I’ll also say I think the AirdX is great for moving baits

Ya - with the Aird-X I can feel the blade vibrating on retrieve even though I don't palm and don't have a finger on the line...definitely fishes above it's price-point - which is why I have no immediate plans to upgrade it.

11 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Ya - with the Aird-X I can feel the blade vibrating on retrieve even though I don't palm and don't have a finger on the line...definitely fishes above it's price-point - which is why I have no immediate plans to upgrade it.

My effeminate Burger King hands would literally fall off in agony if I didn't palm my casting reels. I don't know how you do it.

4 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

My effeminate Burger King hands would literally fall off in agony if I didn't palm my casting reels. I don't know how you do it.

It's the way I've held my rods for 50+ years - the part of the rod behind the reel is called a 'handle' for a reason.

Admittedly this does not meet some of your specifications but I use an iRod Stone Cold Swim and Vibrating jig rod for spinnerbladin and buzzbaitin and I love it. It is a little long and works a little better for buzzbaits than spinnerbaits but I am quite pleased with the rod and prefer it’s moderate fast action. I do not have issues with hookups

16 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

It's the way I've held my rods for 50+ years - the part of the rod behind the reel is called a 'handle' for a reason.

Handles are for armpits ?

I've been using a couple Powell Diesel Crankbait rods, I'm using one for crankbaits and the other one for bladed jigs. I was quite surprised with the build quality/lightweight for the low price on this rod. It is rated for crankbaits, bladed jigs & jerk baits. I've been really happy with them and beat on them throughout the tournament season, only downfall of the rod is no warranty. But for only $89.99 if it holds up for a few years I'd buy another one.

A Falcon Bucoo or LowRider 6’10” hvy fast would be my suggestion.

10 hours ago, gimruis said:

I realize that the OP asked about a rod, but don't forget about the reel.  People on here have asked how to make a bladed jig run deeper and quite often the solution is to simply reel slower.  Make sure you select a reel that has a lower gear ratio rather than one that has a blazing speed.  Simply reeling slower is not always an easy thing to do so if the reel is designed to do it for you, in theory it should be easier.

I've recently changed my mind about this, as I've had more recent success with a slow steady retrieve at night but I'm getting so much slack in my line from vicious hits that I'm having trouble catching up with these angry bass and getting a good hook set.  Burning a  7.1:1 reel and full sweeping hookset is the only thing that keeps them stuck.  I might need to drop down a power in the rod to help even more. 

 

scott

I use a Hammer Rods Micro 6' 9" H/F. It's the best bladed jig rod I've ever fished. 

9 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I've recently changed my mind about this, as I've had more recent success with a slow steady retrieve at night but I'm getting so much slack in my line from vicious hits that I'm having trouble catching up with these angry bass and getting a good hook set.  Burning a  7.1:1 reel and full sweeping hookset is the only thing that keeps them stuck.  I might need to drop down a power in the rod to help even more. 

 

I have a similar opinion. I don't have a specific chatterbait setup; just a graphite MH/F and a 7.2:1 reel that is spec'd at 30 inches per turn. When I get a bite after ripping it through the grass I'm reeling as fast as I can to catch up. A slower rod would probably allow for a slower reel but honestly I don't have any complaints about my current setup.

9 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I've recently changed my mind about this, as I've had more recent success with a slow steady retrieve at night but I'm getting so much slack in my line from vicious hits that I'm having trouble catching up with these angry bass and getting a good hook set.

 

I could see that.  Sometimes a fish hits and then swims right at you, creating the problem.  When I feel an interruption in vibration, I give it a good pull in case its a fish.  Sometimes they hit it kind of subtle that feels more like a weed and it turns out to be a fish.  If your reeling fast then the lure is definitely closer to the surface and you may be missing some fish deep too though, but as long as you are catching fish you must be doing something right.  If it aint broke, don't fix it.

21 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

Dobyns Sierra 704c or 684c if you prefer shorter. The rod is rated as H/F but Dobyns H is others MH and MH is others M and so on. The Sierra in particular is on the slower side or F, behaving more like a MF. It is THE "budget" Dobyns rod of choice for chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, swimjigs, lipless crankbaits etc. And it still makes for a pretty darn good rod for many other techniques like Texas rigs, 3/8oz jigs + trailer, some top waters, etc. 

 

$160

 

To me this is the most versatile rod in the world. If I could only have one rod it would be the 4 power Sierra, even if you gave me a $800 budget.

*Sierra 734C user myself - what you state is 100% correct .

14 hours ago, softwateronly said:

I've had more recent success with a slow steady retrieve at night but I'm getting so much slack in my line from vicious hits that I'm having trouble catching up with these angry bass and getting a good hook set.  Burning a  7.1:1 reel and full sweeping hookset is the only thing that keeps them stuck.  I might need to drop down a power in the rod to help even more. 

Thats where a longer rod helps me out.