Z-man Report
There’s something about an inline spinner that sticks with anglers forever. Maybe it is the first fish you caught in a farm pond, a mountain stream memory with your grandfather, or simply the confidence of tying one on knowing it will get bit.
For legendary lure designer and ChatterBait inventor Ronny Davis, those memories inspired the newest innovation from Z-Man: the all-new ChatterTail. Blending the timeless profile of an inline spinner with the unmistakable vibration and hunting action only the mind behind the ChatterBait could create, the ChatterTail delivers a fresh, modern, and more effective take on one of fishing’s oldest and most trusted lure styles.
“This is an extension of the ChatterBait, which is one of the most successful lures in fishing,” Ronny said. “The idea of the ChatterTail came straight from it. I wanted to add a vibrating blade to an inline spinner. I was just playing around and putting blades on every category of bait. I showed it to Z-Man, and they tried it out. It lit a fire under them.”
That spark quickly turned into obsession, leading Davis and Z-Man into a five-year development process to refine the concept into a perfected, user-friendly design.
Classic Profile, Enhanced Performance
The ChatterTail’s defining feature is its direct body-to-blade connection that produces an aggressive, unmistakable thump from the moment the retrieve begins. Unlike traditional inline spinners that can lose vibration or foul, the ChatterTail keeps working from start to finish.
“I think it works so well for a few reasons,” Ronny explained. “First, the vibrating blade lets you know it’s working throughout the retrieve, and it won’t foul up like most inline spinners. Also, you don’t have to worry one bit about line twist.”
Built for All Species and All Anglers
From smallmouth rivers and high-country trout streams to neighborhood ponds and largemouth lakes, the ChatterTail excels whether burned, slow-rolled, or drifted through current seams. Its vibration, presence, and depth control give anglers something fish simply haven’t seen before.
“I fish for all species, all the time,” Ron said. “Ponds, rivers, streams. No matter the weather conditions. I fish ’em all and this ChatterTail catches all kinds of fish. If it swims, it will bite this lure.”
For Z-Man Director of Brand Strategy Ryan
The ChatterTail will be available at tackle retailers nationwide this Fall in 1/16-, 1/8- and 1/4-ounce sizes and eight proven color patterns to cover a variety of fishing conditions. MSRP is $4.99 for the 1/16- and 1/8-ounce models and $5.49 for the 1/4-ounce version.
For more information, visit www.zmanfishing.com or see it in action at the 2026 ICAST Show, booth #4808.