Ladson, SC (February 7, 2022) – Behind the scenes, even before anglers tasted success with the ChatterBait JackHammer™ and its now-legendary bass vibes, the Z-Man architects were already on the water and at the whiteboard, conceiving the next phase of the bladed bass jig. On the magnum end of the Hex-blade spectrum, Z-Man pro Bryan Thrift constructed the rod-pulsing Big Blade™ ChatterBait.
Meanwhile, operating on the subtle side of the ChatterBlade® continuum, Z-Man champion Luke Clausen hummed a different bass-attracting tune— a little ditty dedicated to small-fry forage, JackHammer-level lure quality and a slightly different vibe.
Compact, competition-grade bladed jig earning angler respect
Now hanging from tackle shop pegs like ripened cherries, the ChatterBait MiniMax is already being heralded as an intelligent fish catching design with bulletproof componentry. “One of our primary goals in designing the MiniMax was to give anglers a high-performance bladed jig in a compact package that handles big bruiser smallmouths and 5-pound-plus largemouths just as effortlessly as the JackHammer,” says Clausen. “When you examine the MiniMax’s hook, blade, skirt, and overall design, its pro-grade construction comes shining through.”
Bladed Jig Dissection
A tournament-quality bladed jig in a bite-size package, the ChatterBait MiniMax employs a premium heavy-duty 2/0 black-nickel hook for easy jaw penetration and maximum holding power. Dual molded conical keeper barbs lock soft plastic trailers tight to the jig. While wire-tied silicone skirts extend the life of each vibrant strand, even when big bass wolf it down.
As Clausen further explains, the ChatterBait MiniMax performs new and different bladed jig presentations, made possible by the lure’s subtle, refined frame. “Tie on a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce MiniMax, burn it across shallow water—like, 1 to 2 feet—and watch how bass react,” suggests Clausen, winner of both the Bassmaster Classic and the Forrest Wood (FLW) Cup Championship.
“A thumbnail-sized ChatterBlade drives the compact-shaped MiniMax like rocket fuel,” he quips. “Its exclusive hex-shape and direct blade-to-jig connection create totally fluid underwater movements—you can feel its distinct high frequency vibrations right through the line, down to your hands. But you can get tricky with lure moves, too, such as random juking and slashing, by altering the cadence of your retrieve. Another way to produce different motions—and most anglers overlook this—is to closely consider your ElaZtech® trailer of choice. More trailer action means wider lure wobble and usually, a slower retrieve speed. More streamlined trailers, on the other hand, allow for that high-frequency wobble and faster, burner retrieves.”
Alternative Applications
“And don’t overlook the MiniMax as a dock-skipping bait,” he adds. “I think you’ll find that this little bladed jig is pretty user-friendly for skipping, especially with ElaZtech trailers.”
Finally, notes Clausen, for big Florida bass or on other pressured largemouth lakes, the MiniMax has become a top situational bladed jig choice. “Once that morning JackHammer bite fizzles out—or skies or water clears, or wind dies—tie on that MiniMax and you’ll still get positive reactions from big bass.
“Think of the MiniMax almost as a downsized version of the JackHammer,” he suggests. “The ¼-ounce MiniMax fishes a bit like a 3/8-ounce JackHammer, etc. Yeah, it’s also a sweet small water or pond bait. But don’t think for a minute it can’t handle the biggest water or the toughest bass that come to eat it.”
Available now at outdoor retailers everywhere, the super-efficient ChatterBait MiniMax delivers fast-pulsing vibrations in a compact yet muscular bladed jig profile. Three sizes— ¼-, 3/8- and ½-ounce—and eight elite skirt patterns are color-matched to each jighead. Among the exclusive patterns are a new refined Fire Craw color and a special Spot Remover shad pattern with a neutral, clear-coated jighead. MSRP is $8.99 each. For more information, visit www.zmanfishing.com.
