While chatter baits have become one of the most influential and versatile lures for catching bass and other fish species today, many anglers need help adequately rigging trailers on their chatter baits. The movement and action produced by the combination of the chatter bait’s sinking lip and the trailing trailer is a large part of what makes these lures so productive. However, not all trailers are created equal – you need the right size, type, and profile of the trailer to unlock the chatter bait’s full potential. 

In this guide, I’ll walk through my favorite trailers to use on chatter baits for various situations and conditions and also share some rigging tips and tricks on how to put a trailer on a chatterbait to get the most out of your chatter bait/trailer combination. By learning how to match the right trailer to the right conditions, you’ll be able to capitalize on more bites and put more fish in the boat.

Necessary Items

To rig a trailer on your chatter bait, you’ll need a few essential items:

• Chatter Bait Lure: Choose the size and color of your choice. I recommend starting with ½ ounce of green pumpkin or white chatter bait for beginners.
• Trailer: This is where it gets interesting – so many different trailers are available that it can be overwhelming to choose just one. This guide will discuss the best options later, so keep reading!
• Pliers: These will help you properly secure your trailer to the chatter bait’s hook.

10 Steps on How to Put a Trailer on a Chatterbait

Step 1: Matching Your Trailer to Conditions

The first step in putting a trailer on your chatter bait is to choose the right trailer for the conditions you’ll be fishing in. This means considering factors such as water clarity, weather conditions, and the type of prey fish present.

Step 2: Determine the Trailer Size

Once you’ve chosen a suitable trailer for the conditions, it’s essential to make sure the size of the trailer matches the chatter bait. You want a trailer that is manageable, as this can positively affect the lure’s action and presentation.

Step 3: Prepare Your Chatter Bait

Before attaching the trailer, preparing your chatter bait is essential by removing any weeds or debris from the hook and ensuring the line tie is aligned with the lure’s body.

Step 4: Attach the Trailer

Using your pliers, carefully open the hook and slide the trailer onto the chatter bait. Make sure to position the trailer so that its length extends beyond the skirt of the chatter bait.

Step 5: Adjusting Trailer Length

If your chatter bait’s action is too erratic, you may need to adjust the length of your trailer. A more extended trailer produces a broader and slower effort, while a shorter trailer results in a tighter and more aggressive movement.

Step 6: Trim the Trailer

You can trim the trailer’s excess length with scissors or pliers if necessary. This will help fine-tune the lure’s action and prevent it from getting tangled in weeds or cover.

Step 7: Secure the Trailer

Once you have the trailer at your desired length, use your pliers to pinch down on the hook and securely hold the trailer in place. This will prevent it from slipping down or falling off during casts.

Step 8: Check for Balance

Before casting out, checking for balance in your chatter bait is essential. If the trailer is too heavy or too light, it can cause the lure to sink or float unnaturally. Adjust the trailer or add weight as needed.

Step 9: Experiment and Adapt

Feel free to experiment with different trailers and lengths until you find what works best for you in the current conditions. Fish can be finicky and may prefer a specific trailer over others, so it’s essential to adapt and adjust accordingly.

Step 10: Practice Makes Perfect

As with any fishing technique, practice makes perfect. Spend time trying different trailers and methods on the water until you become comfortable and confident in your chatter bait rigging skills.

Rigging a trailer on a chatter bait can initially seem intimidating, but it’s a quick and easy process with the right tools and techniques. By following these steps and experimenting with different trailers, you can effectively rig your chatter baits for any fishing situation. Feel free to try new things and adapt to changing conditions – making fishing exciting and rewarding.

8 Things to Avoid When Rigging a Trailer on a Chatter Bait

1. Using the Wrong Size or Type of Trailer

Using a too large or too-small trailer can negatively affect the chatterbait’s action and presentation. Choosing a suitable size and type of trailer for the conditions you’ll be fishing in is essential.

2. Forgetting to Prepare Your Chatter Bait

Before attaching the trailer, preparing your chatter bait is crucial. Remove any weeds or debris from the hook and ensure the line tie is aligned with the lure’s body.

3. Improperly Attaching the Trailer

Carefully open up the chatter bait’s hook and slide the trailer onto it, positioning it correctly so that its length extends beyond the skirt of the lure. Using pliers to secure the trailer in place will prevent it from slipping or falling off during casts.

4. Not Adjusting Trailer Length

If you feel like your chatter bait’s action is too erratic, adjusting the length of your trailer can help fine-tune it. A longer trailer results in a broader and slower effort, while a shorter one creates a tighter and more aggressive movement.

5. Neglecting to Trim the Trailer

If necessary, trimming the trailer’s excess length can help prevent it from getting tangled in weeds or cover and improve its overall action. Use scissors or pliers to trim as needed carefully.

6. Using an Unbalanced Trailer

Before casting out, check for balance in your chatter bait. If the trailer is too heavy or too light, it can cause the lure to sink or float unnaturally. Adjust the trailer or add weight as needed.

7. Not Adapting to Changing Conditions

Fish can be fickle and may prefer a specific trailer over others, depending on the conditions. Adapting and adjusting your trailer choice as needed is essential to increase your chances of success.

8. Lack of Practice

As with any fishing technique, practice makes perfect when it comes to rigging a trailer on a chatter bait. Spend time experimenting with different trailers and methods on the water until you become comfortable and confident in your rigging skills.  Remember to always keep safety in mind while fishing, and enjoy the learning process of perfecting your chatter bait setup.

Rigging a trailer on a chatter bait is a simple and effective way to enhance your fishing game. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you’ll be able to easily rig your chatter baits and catch more fish in various conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Any Type of Trailer on a Chatter Bait?

It’s essential to choose a trailer that is suitable for the conditions and prey fish you’ll be fishing for. Sure, campers may work better in certain situations, so it’s essential to experiment and find what works best for you.

How Do I Know If My Trailer Is Too Heavy or Too Light?

Before casting out, check for balance in your chatter bait. A trailer that is too heavy may cause the lure to sink unnaturally, while a trailer that is too light may result in it floating on the surface. Adjust as needed to achieve balance and improve the lure’s action.

Can I Trim the Trailer to Fit My Preferences?

You can trim the trailer’s excess length with scissors or pliers. This can help fine-tune the lure’s action and prevent it from getting tangled in weeds or cover. Just be careful not to trim too much, as this may affect the balance of the chatter bait.

How Do I Keep the Trailer from Slipping Off During Casts?

Using pliers, pinch down on the hook of the chatter bait to hold the trailer in place securely. This will prevent it from slipping or falling off during casts and improve your chances of catching fish.

What If I’m Not Getting Bites with a Chatter Bait?

If you need help with a chatter bait, try changing the trailer or adjusting its length. Fish can be finicky and may prefer a specific type of trailer, so experimenting and adapting is essential.  Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to fishing, so don’t get discouraged, and keep trying different techniques until you find success. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, adding a trailer to your chatter bait can significantly enhance its effectiveness and entice more fish to bite. By following the steps on how to put a trailer on a chatterbait outlined in this blog post, you can easily create a personalized trailer that is tailored to your fishing needs.

In addition, experimenting with different types of trailers and colors can help you find what works best for your target fish. Always check your state’s fishing regulations before adding hooks or bait to your lure.

But most importantly, have fun and enjoy the thrill of catching various fish using your new and improved chatterbait! No matter what level of angler you are, there is always room for improvement and innovation in fishing. So why take this chance to try something new and see where it takes you? Grab your gear, hit the water, and let us know how your chatterbait with a trailer worked for you!