Z-Man Fishing first brought the Original ChatterBait to market over two decades ago, and has since released a couple dozen iterations of this iconic bait.
And whenever you think there’s no way Z-Man can reinvent the wheel, they once more tweak something else about the build and — voila! — a whole new generation of anglers falls in love with the bait. I believe they’ve done just that once again with their latest creation, the ChatterBait EVO HD. Here’s why I feel so strongly about it.
Welded Line Tie
Z-Man packed this ChatterBait with several cool features, but the first thing I noticed is the line tie. While most modern ChatterBaits and other vibrating jigs have beefed-up clips now, there was a time when the clip was the weak link on a bladed jig.
The ChatterBait EVO HD has squashed any concern about a clip bending or coming open by welding a closed line tie through the blade. This little triangular dinner-bell-looking line tie still allows the bait to start kicking as soon as it hits the water, while ensuring that no matter what size the fish is or how dense the cover is, the clip won’t be an issue.
Split Grip Baitkeeper
Keeping trailers locked in place is both a critical and challenging task, given the erratic action of these baits, the vicious strikes they generate, and the strain of casting and fighting fish. Using two staggered wire barbs on the front and back of the baitkeeper, Z-Man also fixed another issue that’s been flying under the radar for a while.
To ensure a strong connection, some companies use double-barbed bait keepers now. But when these barbs are directly across from one another, they have a tendency to tear the trailers — especially thin ones like split tails. By staggering the barbs, Z-Man created a solid grip and minimized the risk of tearing soft plastic baits while wrestling them over traditional double barbs.
Great Hook
The HD in the name stands for “Heavy Duty.” The welded line tie screams this loud and clear, and the sentiment is echoed by the beefiness of the hook that Z-Man incorporated into the EVO HD.
Using a nano-coated heavy-duty 5/0 hook, Z-Man ensured there is no weak link in this bait. The hook point also turns in a bit, with a bend that mixes elements of O’Shaughnessy with EWG treble vibes. I found it to be super strong and effective in testing, boating a dozen or so fish without any issues.
Colors, Price, and Final Thoughts
The EVO HD comes in 20 color choices, all with custom, painted-to-match heads and blades that blend seamlessly with different skirt colors. There’s everything from chartreuse to black, from red to green pumpkin, and even a bubblegum thrown in for good measure.
Z-Man also incorporated one of my favorite modern features by stamping the weight of each bait on the underside of the lure head. This eliminates any guess work when restocking your favorite bait once you get it dialed in.
Available this fall in 3/8 and 1/2 ounce versions and priced at $12.99, this one will quickly become a fan favorite and staple for vibrating jig enthusiasts, I’m confident of that.
