The ChatterBait's hook has gone through several iterations as Z-Man has attempted to find one that perfectly suits its popular bladed jig. The process has been arduous, but VP Daniel Nussbaum told BassFan last week at ICAST that the company believes the issue has finally been resolved.
Z-Man is now using a 5/0 needlepoint produced by a custom manufacturer that addresses the unique issues created by the ChatterBait's design.
"It's an open-eye hook – the eye is open, and then you slide in the Chatter blade and crimp it down," Nussbaum said. "The key is it has to be 70% tempered. If it's not tempered enough there'll be a lot of bend and flex and it'll give too easily, and 100% tempered would cause it to snap when you bend it down.
"We tried a smaller hook for a while, but it didn't quite reach around the blade to give solid hooksets, and we've tried other variations in the past. The one we're using now is a sharper, stronger hook than what we've had before."
For more about the ChatterBait, click here.
