I've been a religious Jackhammer thrower since I discovered them, but Matt Allen mentioned the Picasso chatterbaits as a viable option since they've figured out a way to directly attach the head to the blade.

 

I'm especially intrigued because they have a few models with weedguards, which could be really valuable for me trying to fish these expensive baits around wood.

 

I'm eyeing the carbon fiber one that's about to be released, but does anyone have experience with the original heavy cover version?

Ive used the shock blades, tungsten knockers and just got a couple of the new carbon fiber SB pros.  The way Picasso attaches the blade to the head the blade actually cant articulate towards the hook at more then a 45* angle.  That makes the blade act somewhat as a guard itself.  I don't seem to snag them as much as the Zmans.  I think its because the blade doesn't have the freedom of the Zmans so it wont roll the hook into wood as easily.  

I do use Picassos jigs and really do like the design of the weedguard.  Its effective for grass and thinner branches, but doesn't get in the way of the hookset at all.  I wouldn't recommend throwing a guarded SB into wood, unless you are willing to snag or lose the bait.

The SBs run different then the Zmans.  The blade thumps hard, but not as fast due to the heavier weight.  The shape of the head combine with the slower blade speed keeps the bait down.  One thing you will notice with the standard SBs the clip that connects the head to the blade really chews up the head around the connection point.  I don't think it makes a big difference when it comes to catching fish, but it is noticeable.  The Pro series baits have a different shape to the top of the head so they dont get beat up nearly as bad as the standard SBs.

I really like the new carbon fiber SB pros.  The blade is super light so you get a really fast blade speed.  The angular shape of the blade gives the bait a more aggressive swimming action then the rounded blades which I like in most cases.  They have a tendency to want to rise a little more in the water column because of that much faster blade.  The shape of that head comes through grass well but what I really like about it is it bounces off cover really well.  Honestly if they were cheaper like 10 or 12$ I wouldn't buy Zmans anymore.  Hope this helps.

      

 

48 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

  I wouldn't recommend throwing a guarded SB into wood, unless you are willing to snag or lose the bait.

 

 

If it looks like the fish are in the wood, I'm throwing that sucker in there- just figured one with a weedguard would be better than one without in that case.  Great info overall, thanks!

1 hour ago, ajschn06 said:

If it looks like the fish are in the wood, I'm throwing that sucker in there

Maybe try a swim jig with a stiff swimbait trailer for the same application. It’s about the same profile, just slightly less action.

8 minutes ago, Buzzbaiter said:

Maybe try a swim jig with a stiff swimbait trailer for the same application. It’s about the same profile, just slightly less action.

 

If I were to do the most logical thing, that would be a great solution.... or even a spinnerbait.... but I love chatterbaits and don't like to put it down..

Is that Carbon Fiber blade painted black?  Does it chip?  My biggest issues with the Jack Hammer is the paint chips off so quickly.  I hate touching up with nail polish or a sharpie. I fish very clear water and have noticed a much higher hook up ratio with a black blade versus the flashy silver underneath the paint.

5 minutes ago, Frezzy said:

Is that Carbon Fiber blade painted black?  Does it chip?  My biggest issues with the Jack Hammer is the paint chips off so quickly.  I hate touching up with nail polish or a sharpie. I fish very clear water and have noticed a much higher hook up ratio with a black blade versus the flashy silver underneath the paint.

 

I've definitely had more success with darker blades as opposed to the flashy ones, but I haven't noticed a change in catch rate once the black ones start chipping.  I would imagine it's black because it's carbon fiber, I don't know what would be underneath it that would chip?

Why in the heck do we have blades made out of carbon fiber? Picasso does get very creative with their stuff. If I were to get a chatterbait from them it would be this one:

Otherwise, jackhammers kill.

 

Spinnerbaits have replaced chatterbaits for me

28 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Why in the heck do we have blades made out of carbon fiber? Picasso does get very creative with their stuff. If I were to get a chatterbait from them it would be this one:

Otherwise, jackhammers kill.

 

Spinnerbaits have replaced chatterbaits for me

 

I just want the weedguard!  I prefer chatterbaits then I don't have to worry about carrying/throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits in my mind it replaces both..

5 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

 

I just want the weedguard!  I prefer chatterbaits then I don't have to worry about carrying/throwing crankbaits and spinnerbaits in my mind it replaces both..

While I think there are still places you can throw a spinnerbait that you cant even with a chatter bait with a weedguard, I think hypothetically a chatter bait could replace crankbaits and spinnerbaits, sure.

 

I don’t really throw crankbaits or chatterbaits for the same reason

 

 

3 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

While I think there are still places you can throw a spinnerbait that you cant even with a chatter bait with a weedguard, I think hypothetically a chatter bait could replace crankbaits and spinnerbaits, sure.

 

I don’t really throw crankbaits or chatterbaits for the same reason

 

 

I haven't found a spot yet that I CANT throw a chatterbait.. they don't exist.  It might not be easy and it might be risky, but you can do it...

10 minutes ago, ajschn06 said:

I haven't found a spot yet that I CANT throw a chatterbait.. they don't exist.  It might not be easy and it might be risky, but you can do it...

Run with it if it works for you ?

 

Edit: I'm sorry I don't have advice or experiences to share about the heavy cover Picasso chatterbaits. But figured Id share the one picasso chatterbait that I was really intrigued about. As far as I know its the only one with bucktail tied on it.

54 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Why in the heck do we have blades made out of carbon fiber? Picasso does get very creative with their stuff. If I were to get a chatterbait from them it would be this one:

Otherwise, jackhammers kill.

 

Spinnerbaits have replaced chatterbaits for me

Would you throw a trailer on that, or fish it naked?

4 minutes ago, Frezzy said:

Would you throw a trailer on that, or fish it naked?

I would experiment, is what i would do. I have never thrown something like that. In conversations with someone in the past who thought this lure was very interesting, they seemed to suggest it would work great naked and i suspect it would. But i think something like a split tail trailer or a spunk shad trailer would work good too. Those would be the first trailers I'd try. Not something big and bulky like a zako to fill up a lot of the space within the skirt.

 

Edit: Actually I don't know now. A split tail or spunk shad might just get completely hidden. I don't know. I'd have to see it in my hands to know

8 hours ago, ajschn06 said:

I've definitely had more success with darker blades as opposed to the flashy ones, but I haven't noticed a change in catch rate once the black ones start chipping.  I would imagine it's black because it's carbon fiber, I don't know what would be underneath it that would chip?

The blade is made up of carbon fibers which are like a matte black, so it will always be dark.  

I use black nail polish or a sharpie to color in nickel or gold blades 95% of the time.  The only time I want that flash is when the fish are actively chasing shad or shiners. 

7 hours ago, LrgmouthShad said:

I would experiment, is what i would do. I have never thrown something like that. In conversations with someone in the past who thought this lure was very interesting, they seemed to suggest it would work great naked and i suspect it would. But i think something like a split tail trailer or a spunk shad trailer would work good too. Those would be the first trailers I'd try. Not something big and bulky like a zako to fill up a lot of the space within the skirt.

The Picasso bladed jigs have a bigger profile then most others.  The gap isn't particularly big, but the shanks are really long.