I will let some of the others give you better specifics but I had a blast using them last year!
My buddy SpfldBassGuy got me started using them again last year, I hadn't used them for many years and I watched him catch Bass after Bass! I bought a few and started tearing up LM and SM in the daytime or at night. I do not like the Z-Man or Original Chatter as they are cheaply made, rust, and fall apart...SBG likes the Booyah and I like the Kaotik Shaker Bait and Potomic Punisher, I use a Keitech trailer on them, and fish them from Spring til the water gets cold and the fish slow down!

 

What situations (time of year, water conditions, ect.) do you use chatterbaits for bass?

I actually prefer the Chatterbait brand myself. They are the originators of this type of lure.

I like to use this lure when there is scattered vegetation or submerged vegetation. If you run this over submerged vegetation, sometimes they'll come right up and snatch it.

You can use it in some pretty clear water and get away with it. Wolf Run Lake is a gin clear and deep lake and a white chatterbait helps me locate the bass in or around the submerged milfoil. This lake is so clear you'll see the bass follow the chatterbait up. If they don't take it, at least you've located a bass. And you can quickly follow it up with a soft plastic worm and snatch it up.

As far as situations, time of year, and water conditions... My comment would be just about anytime you could throw a spinnerbait. It is not as snag-proof as a spinnerbait in the thick stuff. But it will pull some bass out of the cover because of the distinct vibration.

Good luck...

 

I usually use one from the first time out in a season (usually March) until early fall and have had some good success with 'em. I mainly only use two colors, a white one or a black one w/blue or red flakes. I've got other colors but those two produce the best for me. I also use either 1/8oz or 3/8oz model but will go up to a 1/2oz model if I need to go a tad deeper and or give 'em something with a tad bit bigger profile. You can fish them early morning,mid afternoon, or after dark and do well. I like running mine around rip rap areas, over and through grass ( unless the grass is super thick) and even around wood. Some of my biggest bass I've ever caught has come on a Booyah Boogie Bait and I absolutely love that brand but love chatterbaits of all makes. As with all lures someone is not accustomed to using alot you just gotta throw 'em until you figure out how they want it on that day at that time. You can burn 'em, slow roll 'em, yo-yo 'em, and usually when I get one on a chatterbait styled lure the bass HAMMER 'em hard. So good luck to you in your endeavors with using (to me ) one fantastic bait.

 

I have not experimented with many of the brands, but have had good luck with the Z-Man's. I like the 3/8 oz myself. Z-Man makes a black/blue with a black blade that I've done well on.

And I'll second JignPig Guide's comment about when to use them. For me, I'll throw them anytime that a spinnerbait will work.

 

I make my own Chatterbaits and i like to play with different trailers and skirts. I also bend the lips more or less for more action. I like to fish them like spinnerbaits and also flop and drop them around structure. Just fish them the best way where you get as much action and vibration from your bait. They show real good using a double thin ribbon trailer or long mini skirt trailer. SPFLDBASSGUY HAS THE RIGHT IDEA.

 

SPFLDBASSGUY HAS THE RIGHT IDEA.

Thanks for posting that because that little comment is something I hardly ever hear. I like your method of bending the lips and will definitley have to experiment with doing just that, so thank you for giving me a good idea.

 

I would just keep chugging away with it and once you start catching them you will build some confidence.
Here is a tip, make sure you can feel the vibration to know its running how it should. I was fishing with a kid who tied his line on the wrong side of the blade because of how the split ring is setup and he was complaining about it while I was catching a few.
So I took his rod and reel and made one cast and knew right away. Retied his lure and he was set.
I like the 2 color setup as well, White with a little Chart mixed and Balck/blue.
The one thing I dont like about them is for some reason they get hung up on logs or branches fairly easy as compared to a spinnerbait or buzz.
I think it gets hung up more where the blade meets the lead head than the hook end.