New ChatterTail™ Reinvents a Classic Fish Catcher
Z-Man® Partners with ChatterBait® Inventor Ronny Davis to Put a Modern Spin on the Inline Spinner
Ladson, SC (June 1, 2026) – 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.
The ChatterTail is a refined lure with superior fish-attracting power that excels at drawing in prize fish of many species, like this trophy smallmouth that nailed the 1/4 oz black ChatterTail.
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."
Paired with a willow-leaf blade that thumps and flashes at any retrieve speed instead of simply spinning, the ChatterTail sends out strong lateral-line signals and moves with an erratic, injured baitfish-like wobble that traditional inline spinners cannot produce. Its precise blade orientation and hole placement also help the lure hold depth rather than rising toward the surface. Combined with a hand-tied marabou tail that undulates naturally, the ChatterTail blends old-school familiarity with modern fish-triggering performance. And according to Ronny's son, lifelong multispecies angler Ron Davis, that combination flat-out catches everything that swims.
Designed for anglers of all ages and skill levels, the easy-to-use ChatterTail proved its appeal again with Brooks Latimer landing this rainbow trout on the Firetiger pattern.
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 Harder, ChatterTail's appeal goes beyond performance. It taps into the emotional connection generations of anglers have with inline spinners while delivering a completely modern feel.
"When the Davises brought this project to us, I was all about it," Harder said. "It reminds me of fishing in the mountains with my grandfather. There is so much connection and nostalgia with this lure yet it also incorporates a new spin on a traditional lure profile. Every single place I've taken this lure, it has caught fish."
Available in three weights and eight time-tested color patterns, the ChatterTail gives anglers the versatility to target a wide range of species in a variety of fishing situations.
Approachable for beginners and kids yet refined enough for serious anglers, the ChatterTail injects fresh energy into a lure style trusted everywhere fish swim.
"It's great for novice or expert anglers, to be honest," Ronny said. "It doesn't matter what body of water you're fishing. Everyone knows how well an inline spinner works, so why not make it better?"
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.