Buzzbait Tips?

[iceintheveins]

Cavitrons are no doubt the best buzzbaits around. I've also done well on Booyah Pip Zqueeks and the Strike King elites. Don't neglect the Strike King Tri Wing either. If you are fishing heavy vegetation and cover, or the regular buzzbait doesn't work, try a chartreuse/green pumpkin or shad colored rage shad. Stick with 1/4 ounce and 3/8 ounce models, and fish them on 12 - 20 pound test MONO (the no stretch of braid is detrimental and pulls the bait away when the fish hits, and fluoro sinks slightly so your baits don't plane up as easy). Heavier line helps you break the surface faster but you have to balance it with casting distance. I generally use 12 or 14 on the 1/4 ounce and 14 - 20 on the 3/8.

I generally use a trailer hook with buzzbaits all the time unless I'm just bringing in too much salad.

Use a fast ratio baitcast reel (7:1 or faster is best) and a moderate action medium heavy glass or composite rod. As a rule of thumb, reel it as slowly as possible to get it gurgling on the surface. But on occasion, change directions, try ripping it, or reeling faster and alternating your speeds if sloooow and steady doesn't get bit.

[iceintheveins]

And yes, the squeeking tricks can be worth it, so do all of the above. Generally, the buzzbait works best in low light or cloudy conditions, but don't completely rule it out on sunny days, especially to cover large shallow areas with lots of wood or weed growth.