ChatterBait® Bladed Jigs Dominate Early 2026 Tournament Season as Omori Claims Hartwell Title
LADSON, S.C. — While much of the bass fishing world remains focused on forward-facing sonar and technique-specific presentations, Z-Man ChatterBait® bladed jigs have quietly powered one of the strongest early-season tournament runs in recent memory.
The latest statement came at Lake Hartwell, where Takahiro Omori captured his first Bass Pro Tour victory using a Z-Man/EverGreen ChatterBait® JackHammer™ paired with a 5-inch DieZel MinnowZ™ trailer. Six of the Top 10 finishers in the event relied on ChatterBait® lures.
Hartwell Victory Highlights Proven Performance
Omori never activated forward-facing sonar during competition. Instead, he kept just two rods rigged with JackHammers on his deck, relying on efficiency, experience and confidence in a bladed jig presentation to secure a narrow but decisive win.
“You can’t fake confidence at this level,” said longtime Z-Man pro Stephen Browning, who finished second at the Bassmaster Open on the Kissimmee Chain with a Tungsten ChatterBait Elite EVO™. “When I pick up a ChatterBait, I know exactly what it’s going to do, how it’s going to hunt, and how fish are going to react to it. What’s really telling is how many guys who aren’t tied to Z-Man are leaning on these baits right now. That says more about their effectiveness than anything I could ever tell you.”
A Pattern Too Strong to Ignore
Omori’s victory is part of a broader early-season trend across the Bass Pro Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Pro Circuit and Toyota Series events.
Top finishes on Z-Man ChatterBait® lures in 2026 include:
- 1st — Takahiro Omori, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
- 1st — Kane Weekley, MLF Toyota Series Lake Guntersville
- 2nd — Jacob Walker, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
- 2nd — Jacob Walker, MLF BPT Lake Guntersville
- 2nd — Brock Mosley, BASS Elite Lake Martin
- 2nd — Stephen Browning, BASS Open Kissimmee Chain
- 3rd — Jacob Wheeler, MLF BPT Lake Guntersville
- 3rd — Bo Thomas, BASS Open Kissimmee Chain
- 4th — Jonathan VanDam, BASS Open Kissimmee Chain
- 5th — Wes Logan, BASS Elite Lake Guntersville
- 7th — Brandon Card, BASS Elite Lake Guntersville
- 7th — Jesse Wiggins, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
- 8th — Jacob Wheeler, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
- 8th — Niko Romero, BASS Open Kissimmee Chain
- 8th — Brodey Luckey, MLF Pro Circuit Harris Chain
- 9th — Ott Defoe, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
- 9th — Cliff Prince, BASS Open Kissimmee Chain
- 10th — Justin Cooper, MLF BPT Lake Hartwell
Combined winnings tied to ChatterBait® usage have already surpassed half a million dollars less than two months into the 2026 season.
Trusted Performance Across the Field
Aside from Browning, the majority of anglers listed are not sponsored by Z-Man, underscoring the lure family’s independent adoption in high-stakes competition.
“The industry tends to focus on all of the new technology and the different-looking baits made for it, but no matter where the tournaments are, someone in the top 10 is going to catch them on a Z-Man Chatterbait,” said Z-Man Community Manager Jonathan Dietz. “In a world so dominated by pro deals and who’s paying whom, the true mark of a good bait is who’s throwing it when the money is on the line. When people want to win a tournament, they throw a Z-Man ChatterBait.”
A Workhorse in a Tech-Driven Era
As sonar-focused tactics continue to evolve, the ChatterBait® lineup — including the iconic JackHammer™, Elite EVO™ and Tungsten Elite EVO™ — remains a versatile and dependable option for anglers targeting prespawn bass, grass fisheries and shallow reaction bites.
With multiple major wins and a deep roster of Top 10 finishes already logged, Z-Man’s ChatterBait® family enters the heart of the 2026 tournament season with undeniable momentum.
About Z-Man Fishing Products
A dynamic Charleston, South Carolina based company, Z-Man Fishing Products has melded leading edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been among the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits and other lures. Creator of the Original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovators of 10X Tough ElaZtech® softbaits, among the most coveted baits in fresh- and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest-growing lure brands worldwide.
See the latest in bass fishing here
Discover the ultimate resource for bass fishing enthusiasts with Bass Angler Magazine! Packed with expert tips, the latest cutting-edge techniques, and in-depth articles, our magazine is your go-to guide for mastering the art of bass fishing. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, Bass Angler Magazine delivers the insights and inspiration you need to reel in the big ones. Subscribe today and elevate your angling game!