Never been real big on buzzbaits, so not sure how to fix: tied on yesterday and started throwing a Booyah 7/16 and the thing kept veering left. I was using a burner reel and could straighten the path but good grief, it didn't look like anything could have caught it at that speed. I know how to correct a misguided crank, but this is a new one to me. Thanks for any help!

 

Buzzbaits will almost never run straight on. Because the prop is rotating in one direction it will almost always guide itself. Best bet is to cast off target so the bait guides it to the area you want to hit.

You can try slightly bending the wire to correct itself but it is tough to get one to run completely straight. Some brands run better than others too.

Yeah, buzz baits will run off to one side or the other.  It is a function of how the blade works.  The idea of casting off to one side and running the bait into your target is a good one.  Baits with counter-rotating blades will run straighter than a standard buzz bait.  An in-line buzz bait will run somewhat straighter than a standard safety pin style.  I just finished looking in the 2013 BPS catalog and noticed that they don't carry my favorite buzz bait anymore - the older style triple wing buzz bait.  Oh well. ... glad I don't lose them very often.

 

Don't get worried about buzz baits running off to one side or another.  For me, more often than not, when I'm fishing a buzz bait I am fishing an area and not specific targets, so that generally isn't an issue for me.  

I guess if you are throwing it at specific targets it could be an issue.  If so, use one with counter rotating blades.

I normally just try to cover a lot of water with 'em, but tried to bring it past a bed watching beauty yesterday and just couldn't get the angle right. Glad to know it's a design issue with all buzzes and not a defect in mine.

I love my buzzbaits to run straight up, none of this left or right stuff. However, that rarely happens and, fortunately, it's a bigger deal to me than the fish.

Ive found War Eagle runs truer than most brands Ive tried.

One reason I throw double props most often. If the blade, wire and hook are lined up, and the hook runs directly under the prop,(not over on its side) then its properly tuned.

One reason I throw double props most often. If the blade, wire and hook are lined up, and the hook runs directly under the prop,(not over on its side) then its properly tuned.

 

yup, alot of times you will have to bend them some once you get them from the store, but gettin those suckers fine-tuned is definately worth it!

Just slow it down