The Original ChatterBait: The Untold Z-Man Story

Few lures have truly changed bass fishing. The ChatterBait bladed jig is one of them. In this Z-Man documentary, we trace its journey from a garage-built concept by Ron Davis Sr. and Ron Davis Jr. to a category-defining bait that reshaped modern fishing. What started as a simple idea, combining vibration and flash in a new way, gained momentum after a breakthrough tournament win and quickly became a staple in anglers’ arsenals.

The film also reveals the pivotal role Z-Man played in bringing the ChatterBait to the masses. Under the leadership of Jerry Zucker, the company transitioned from component supplier to industry innovator, pairing the ChatterBait with its 10X Tough ElaZtech® material to create unmatched durability and performance. That synergy helped launch Z-Man into one of the most influential brands in fishing.

Twenty years later, the ChatterBait continues to evolve, with more than 18 offerings in the lineup. It has proven to be far more than a single lure, standing as a category and class of its own. Built on innovation, timing and vision, its story shows how one idea can transform an entire sport.

Browse the Z-Man ChatterBait family:
https://zmanfishing.com/collections/chatterbaits

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:00 - How Z-Man Started
• 3:25 - The Birth of a Legend
• 4:55 - Why it appeals to fish
• 5:43 - How the ChatterBait was Born
• 7:57 - ChatterBait goes to Market
• 11:04 - Bryan Thrift Shares with the World
• 15:16 - Z-Man Helps with Demand
• 17:00 - Building the ChatterBait Lineup
• 21:13 - Birth of the Jack Hammer Partnership
• 24: 51 - Synergy of ChatterBait and ElaZtech
• 27:45 - Versatility of the ChatterBait
• 30:03 - Tikkun olam - "repairing the world"
• 31:58 - What ChatterBait Means to Us