Buzzbait tips

[Drew03cmc 262]

Hey, until this year, I've never given buzzbaits a try, but the past 2 days I've tossed one for a little bit and had 3 hits. I believe 2 of the 3 were dinks, but the other one was a quality fish and he just came unbuttoned. Any tips for how to stick more of these fish and get them to hold? I'm using a Cavitron and love how it works and swims. 

[scaleface 6,722]

Most of the time fish it as slow as it will allow . Dont set the hook until you feel the fish on . Use a trailer hook . In my experience buzzbaits have a high hook up percentage compared to other top-waters .

[MIbassyaker 2,269]

44 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

Hey, until this year, I've never given buzzbaits a try, but the past 2 days I've tossed one for a little bit and had 3 hits. I believe 2 of the 3 were dinks, but the other one was a quality fish and he just came unbuttoned. Any tips for how to stick more of these fish and get them to hold? I'm using a Cavitron and love how it works and swims. 

1. Fish it slow

2. Fish it often

 

I also did not have any success with buzzbaits until a few years ago. I committed to using them every time I want out, fishing them systematically (rather than just a cast here and there), and not being so quick to switch baits. And like magic, they started producing. Within 2 months, I had a new PB from a buzzbait.

 

I find I don't need a trailer hook most of the time on the 3/8oz cavitron.  I think it's because the hook rides lower than a lot of other buzzbaits because of the bend in the shaft. That also creates a bigger gap between the hook and the blade that may help. I use a trailer hook on the 1/4oz size sometimes, though. And I use a trailer hook on other buzzbait brands.

[jbsoonerfan 1,644]

Rod action and line type are 90% of the deal when fishing a buzzbait. It also depends on when you set the hook based on the rod/line combo. If you swing for the fence on the blowup with an xfast rod with 50lb braid you will probably rip it out of its mouth. Let us know your line/rod setup. BTW, as was mentioned, you need to feel the fish. I have caught a TON of bass on a buzzbait, and unfortunately I have missed my fair share.

[Drew03cmc 262]

I'm tossing the 1/4 Cavitron right now on a 6'3 M XF Loomis SBR752 on 12# copolymer. It's more of a fast action, but should be about perfect, I'd think.

[Ksam1234 921]

I love cavitron and buzzbiats ! Throw them all the time. I usually throw the 3/8 oz as it is the perfect size for speed and distance.  Sometimes they want it fast and others slow. I would get a MH/F rod and I use braid when throwing it. Don’t set the hook as soon as you see a splash but just wait a quick second then set. It’s hard because you want to set the hook out of excitement but just wait and you should get better hookups. I like a Mh f bc it has more power to set the hook further down the blank than just the tip. Buzzbait being a single hook sometimes need more force to penetrate good. 

[MountainMan83 218]

I love buzzbaits. Until a few weeks ago my PB LM had been broken twice on a buzzbait and my best SM is still on a buzzer. I started off throwing strike king banshees', then booyahs, and finally got a few cavitrons. They are really nice, but the rest will do. If you enjoy throwing them, do it often. Break the mold and throw them mid day with sunny skies. Whenever you want. I've found trailer hooks to not make much of a difference, so I stopped using them. Minutes before I caught my last PB, my fishing buddy was telling me to slow down. I was burning one with a 8.1 ratio reel and caught a gal just short of 5lbs. Not much tip wise, but I will say that my favorite way to throw one is with no skirt and a toad trailer. Something about it, works for me. Caught a decent guy today that way. Throw Em. I haven't found a rhyme or reason.

[Drew03cmc 262]

I love fishing them, just wish I had some pigs to hand on them already. The rod setup I'm using is my go to creek and river smallie setup, so I normally grab it and will toss spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, paddle tails, and light jigs on it. It's really an incredible stick. 

[BoatSquirrel 133]

You have the right buzzbait.  Buzzbaits are an overlooked big fish bait.  Check your line for nicks and keep your hook sharp.

[NittyGrittyBoy 607]

Just ordered 2 cavitrons that I will make myself fish this year. 

 

I've always throwed propbaits and poppers, but really want to give buzzbaits a chance. Nice thread. Thanks

[Fishin Dad 82]

I throw most of my buzzbaits without a skirt and with a soft plastic, usually toads on them.  It seems fish hold on to them as they feel something soft that they can latch onto and feels more natural.  I have also used a fluke or paddle tail swimbaits.  Looks more natural that way I would assume.  

[Bluebasser86 24,621]

5 hours ago, scaleface said:

Most of the time fish it as slow as it will allow . Dont set the hook until you feel the fish on . Use a trailer hook . In my experience buzzbaits have a high hook up percentage compared to other top-waters .

This, which is the same way I fish a plopper (minus the trailer hook). The water here is just getting warm enough for topwater to start being effective, so they're probably just not fully committed to it yet. I had a couple hits on a toadrunner jr last week but neither got the bait good enough to even swing on them. 

 

I like to give my buzzer little "pops" or twitches during the retrieve, especially when it gets near or just past likely holding areas, seems to trigger strikes at times. 

[Drew03cmc 262]

57 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

This, which is the same way I fish a plopper (minus the trailer hook). The water here is just getting warm enough for topwater to start being effective, so they're probably just not fully committed to it yet. I had a couple hits on a toadrunner jr last week but neither got the bait good enough to even swing on them. 

 

I like to give my buzzer little "pops" or twitches during the retrieve, especially when it gets near or just past likely holding areas, seems to trigger strikes at times. 

I'm fishing these in little 1 to 3 acre ponds, so the water is considerably warmer than on a larger lake. The one I legitimately lost yesterday looked to be between 3 and 4 pounds from about a foot of water. It was a fun 5 seconds, then my bait flew back at me. 

[Bluebasser86 24,621]

20 minutes ago, Drew03cmc said:

I'm fishing these in little 1 to 3 acre ponds, so the water is considerably warmer than on a larger lake. The one I legitimately lost yesterday looked to be between 3 and 4 pounds from about a foot of water. It was a fun 5 seconds, then my bait flew back at me. 

I was fishing a small pond with the toadrunner too. The lake I was on Friday is about 200 acres and was 60 degrees, so we're right there.

[Drew03cmc 262]

7 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I was fishing a small pond with the toadrunner too. The lake I was on Friday is about 200 acres and was 60 degrees, so we're right there.

Buddy, I can see myself getting hooked hopelessly on topwater. It's fun fishing.

[Bluebasser86 24,621]

Just now, Drew03cmc said:

Buddy, I can see myself getting hooked hopelessly on topwater. It's fun fishing.

Fish it all day, I catch most of my biggest topwater fish during the middle of the day when you're not "supposed" to fish topwater. My biggest buzzbait bass was right around lunch time, an ounce shy of 6. Some of my best days fishing a Slammer have been middle of bright sunny days too. 

[Drew03cmc 262]

I'm planning to sling it around a pond before I have to go to supper today. Maybe I'll stick one or two.

[Drew03cmc 262]

Well, in these winds, I did manage to stick the only one that bit, an ambitious 10" fish on shallow emergent weeds.

[MountainMan83 218]

18 hours ago, Fishin Dad said:

I throw most of my buzzbaits without a skirt and with a soft plastic, usually toads on them.  It seems fish hold on to them as they feel something soft that they can latch onto and feels more natural.  I have also used a fluke or paddle tail swimbaits.  Looks more natural that way I would assume.  

 

 

15 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Fish it all day, I catch most of my biggest topwater fish during the middle of the day when you're not "supposed" to fish topwater. My biggest buzzbait bass was right around lunch time, an ounce shy of 6. Some of my best days fishing a Slammer have been middle of bright sunny days too. 

Yes, we agree! So much fun.

[Bluebasser86 24,621]

You inspired me to toss one around a little this morning. Caught several on it, all small, but still fun.

[Drew03cmc 262]

24 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

You inspired me to toss one around a little this morning. Caught several on it, all small, but still fun.

I caught one about 10" yesterday myself. No pictures.

[HeyCoach 188]

Why would you use a buzz toad or a buzz shad in place of a regular skirted buzz bait?

[Bluebasser86 24,621]

23 minutes ago, HeyCoach said:

Why would you use a buzz toad or a buzz shad in place of a regular skirted buzz bait?

I haven't used the shad, but the toad adds a ton of weight, making them much easier to cast further and with more accuracy. It also adds a lot of extra lift during the retrieve. 

[ItsHardwick 95]

3 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

I haven't used the shad, but the toad adds a ton of weight, making them much easier to cast further and with more accuracy. It also adds a lot of extra lift during the retrieve. 

Much easier to throw into the wind too

[scaleface 6,722]

I  used  Yum Money Minnows in lieu of skirts late last year . I glued them on . Like said , they cast further and surfaced easier . The hook ups were pretty good too . I bought a bunch of clearance swim baits this year ,  just for buzzbaits .