I plan on using my Strike King buzzbait this weekend early in the morning. It is sexy shad and 3/8 or 1/2 oz. i added a 3/0 trailer hook. I was wondering if i should use a 7' XH (1/2 - 2) or a 7'3" MH (3/8 - 1) rod? and a 7.3:1 reel with 50 or 30 lb braid. water is semi clear maybe 2-4'. thanks

Put it on the 7'3" mh rod.  But if it had been a black buzzbait instead of sexy shad color, you would have had to step it up to the extra heavy rod jk

12 minutes ago, IndianaFinesse said:

Put it on the 7'3" mh rod.  But if it had been a black buzzbait instead of sexy shad color, you would have had to step it up to the extra heavy rod

 

Makes sense, what too you think about the braid?

51 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

 

Makes sense, what too you think about the braid?

 

also, should i keep the skirt on or not?

2 hours ago, IndianaFinesse said:

 But if it had been a black buzzbait...

 

There are other colors?...

3 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

Makes sense, what too you think about the braid?

 

2 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

also, should i keep the skirt on or not?

I throw buzzbaits on mono, but braid will work fine as long as you make sure to wait till the bait is completely submerged and inside the bass's mouth.  I use mono cause I have a hard time not setting the hook as soon as the bass blows up, and it gives me a little cushion for early hooksets.  Either mono or braid will work fine though, it is mostly personal preference.

 

Leave the skirt on if you want or take it off, either way will work.  Taking the skirt off sometimes works better when pressure is high, but I usually fish with it on.  If you decide to take take the skirt off, I would highly recommend putting a toad on it as a trailer.  Makes it possible to skip the buzzbait a little, to.

1 hour ago, reason said:

 

There are other colors?...

White

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buzzbait_bass.html

 

 

Any mh/f rod 6-6 or longer will do.  I use a mono or copoly around 15# size.  Go ahead, try braid.  The first time you get it wrapped up in the prop, and lose a fish because of it, you will understand why a mono-filament is a better choice.  Then again, maybe you'll be lucky.

Mono definitely!  A mono leader will work fine too.  So don't fret regarding braid as main line.  Like others state any MH rod can handle these duties.  Also don't over think the color too much, I keep it simple.  Light color in clear water or dark color in dirty/stained water and at night.  Leave the skirt on, if you want to change it up use a trailer.

In sparse to moderate cover I use a 7.1:1 BPS Pro Qualifier and a 7' MH Abu Veritas Winch, I like a crankbait style rod for buzzbaits, and 14 pound test mono. In heavier cover I will use the same setup but go to a minimum of 17 pound mono. Very heavy vegetation calls for 65 pound braid, but I always prefer a moderate action rod.

7 foot mh/f should do u just fine. I really don't see the need for heavy rods. I tend to go with braid or flouro.