The majority of my buzzbait usage are 1/4 oz. and 3/8th oz. size  ... How many use heavier 1/2 oz. buzz baits ? What percentage of the time do you throw a heavier 1/2 oz. buzzbait and under what conditions ? 

I don't throw anything heavier than 3/8.  I feel like 1/2 would make it really difficult to reel it across the surface, without burning it in.

Most of the time I use 1/4oz.

 

Allen

You will need a heavier bait to throw a buzz bait with a bigger blade.

Ive been in situations where small Kentucy bass would just hammer the buzz bait on every cast just about.

Switching to a bigger buzz bait resulted in bigger fish.

The heaver weight make the bigger blade run truer.

...and it would help on a windy day too.

 

For the most part (on the river) I will throw a 1/4oz on a light line.

The rod I throw buzzbaits with "7' mh" will cast a 1/2 ounce model more precisely into tight spots than lighter ones . Then I started putting paddletails on it in lieu of a skirt. That made  it   heavier and the cast were going right of target . I then put the paddletail on a 3/8 bait and am back in business .  

I use a 1/2 oz. the majority of the time. I use one that has a large blade and can reel it as slow or slower than smaller versions. 

I used 1/2 double buzz baits you can crawl that throwing lots of water making lots of noise.

Tom

5 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

What percentage of the time do you throw a heavier 1/2 oz. buzzbait and under what conditions ? 

 

From May through September by the light of the moon.

 

Weapon of choice: Megastrike Cavitron

I should have stipulated "single buzz blade buzzbaits" ...  Most store bought 1/2 oz. buzzbaits do not have overly large blades from that of 3/8th oz. size buzzbaits - slightly larger , but I see these1/2 oz.  types more for burning a quicker retrieve or if wind is an issue . Lastly , I am most always adding a soft plastic trailers such as a Z-Craw Jr. , Strike King Rage Swimmer , Pit Boss , Yum Swim'N Dinger etc. (all 4" or less) to a buzzbait which also adds a little weight and may or may not affect how a buzzbait tracks ... I guess you just have to buy a couple of 1/2 oz. buzzbaits and play around with them to see how fast and true they run ... Might be better when bass are more aggressive in warm water and want a buzzbait faster (although slower typically gets the nod).

A 1/2oz WarEagle buzzbait with a toad weighs an ounce and will come up quick.  On braid I can bomb it a mile, cover a huge amount of water.

I like to use a 1/2 ounce size. I'll run it over the tops of submerged vegetation, but since the water is clear, I need to get it out there away from the boat.

I use the 3/4oz Crock O Gator pretty often. It's got a huge blade, no problem keeping it on top, and it cast well because it's so heavy. Great for fishing around docks. 

12 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I guess you just have to buy a couple of 1/2 oz. buzzbaits and play around with them to see how fast and true they run ...

 

I seldom if ever fish a buzzbait fast, slow always out produces fast. When I do Speed up it's with a 1/4 oz black blade with a black skirt.

 

I throw a 1/2 oz for two reasons, longer casts allows me to cover more water & secondly I ain't targeting tighteyes.

Yeah I don’t like heavy buzzbaits cause they get really heavy with trailer. Mine are all 3/8oz. Can launch them a mile and cover a lot of water. 
 

I have 1 1/2oz toad buzz that I use when it’s stupid windy straight into my face. But I don’t love it. 

Thanks for replies - while nice to have a couple of 1/2 oz. buzzbaits when conditions require it - the 3/8th oz. and 1/4 oz. with and without trailers appear to be the more popular weight sizes .

Match the bait to the rod .   Putting the bait accurately  in the tight spots bass like to hang out at  will catch the most fish .Buzzbaits excel in tight cover  applications . Some rods the appropriate weight will  be    1/4 ounce , or 3/8 or 1/2.    If the lure is not presented adequately then the catches will suffer .

 

I always use a 1/2 Cavitron because that's the biggest they make. 

If I'm casting to (past) targets, I prefer a 3/8oz. and I rarely add a trailer. If I'm casting for distance, it's a 1/2oz. with a 3.5in. paddle tail and a trimmed skirt. I like the added action of the skirt pulsating in front of the trailer.