Having been a chatterbait enthusiast since the first model I owned, a Z-Man Original Chatterbait, I've always researched which models were the best and what made them good.
When the Jack Hammer first came out, I was mainly using 3 complementary models, each better for a specific purpose. Naturally, I was quick to get my hands on these Jack Hammers, which were starting to make a name for themselves in the USA and Japan. It only took a few sessions for this model to become THE reference in my chatterbox.
Dissecting the Jack Hammer
The result of a collaboration between Morizo Shimizu (Evergreen designer and BASS Elite competitor) and Brett Hite (Evergreen and Z-Man pro-staff, competitor on US professional circuits and true chatterbait expert), the Jack Hammer has several features that make it a must-have in the world of bass fishing:
- The head the shape has been inspired by the classic models, and reworked to provide superb, constant swimming action and optimum development in the vegetation. To facilitate skipping, the underside of the head is flattened, giving real skipping performance. The head also features an eyelet notch into which the eyelet fits to eliminate worries about loose paddles. We also appreciate the lure weight notation on the head.
- The palette it is machined from high-grade, durable stainless steel, producing powerful vibrations and sounds as it and the head clash. It is also equipped with an Egg Snap Evergreen clip to which the line is tied. A small but important detail is that the paddle is activated as soon as it hits the water. A very important criterion for precision fishing.
- The hook gamakatsu brand in size 4/0, extra sharp and strong, won't budge even on chance encounters with catfish and won't rust if you forget your salt trailers on it.
- The worm keeper a real highlight of this chatterbait! Once installed, the trailer won't slip thanks to the two steel lugs that hold it firmly in place in addition to the lead keeper.
- The skirt this is a super-quality, hand-tied, perfectly-supplied set. We also appreciate the pertinence of the colors offered. Not anything outlandish, but complementary colors to best suit the conditions.
Feedback and tips
After 3 years of intensive use, hundreds of black-bass caught, but also many pike and big perch, it has a special place in my box. Objectively speaking, it's one of the most all-purpose models, and will respond well to a wide range of situations.
It's clearly a top-of-the-range product, but if you're looking for a real chatterbait, it's one of the best options. Today, 95% of my chatterbait fishing time is spent with this lure, and if I had to keep just one, it would be this one without any hesitation.
As for the trailer, I often combine it with a finesse such as the Zoom Super Fluke 5.25" or a Dolive Stick OSP for fast fishing. I use a shad or a double grub (twin tail) for slower fishing or when I need to fish higher in the water column. I recommend that you rig your trailer right the first time, because once it's in place, it doesn't move! But it's a real pleasure in action not to have to systematically put your trailer back in place.
Personally, I've never had a problem with it, but a friend of mine who fishes almost exclusively for pike once had a problem with the opening of the staple. To prevent this from happening again, he now places a piece of heat-shrink tubing over the staple, locking it in place completely.
For my part, I sometimes place a micro drop of cyano on the skirt ligature, which can break after a number of black bass or a misplaced pike bite. In this way, I extend the life of the skirt a little.
In a nutshell
As you can see, I'm particularly convinced by this lure, as are the vast majority of American professional competitors. In fact, a rod fitted with a Jack Hammer is almost always to be found on the deck of their boats, a real guarantee of the lure's relevance and reliability. Whatever the case, could we really doubt the fruit of the collaboration between these two legendary brands and these two exceptional anglers?
Jack Hammer Evergreen // Z-Man
- Brand: Evergreen
- Colors: 8
- Weights: 11g - 14g - 21g - 34g.
- Recommended retail price: ?16.90
- Distribution: Fish Connection
