when would you use a 1/4 oz buzzbait vs a 3/8 vs a 1/2?

Edit....my bad I read the title wrong, wrong bait 

 

 

I believe for the most part you match the weight to your desired retrieve speed.  Heavier= faster retrieve, lighter=slower retrieve.

 

I used to fish buzz baits quite a bit.  Even with a trailer hook my hook up ratio was always pretty bad.  I threw one last week for 30 minutes or so.   4 strikes, but only 1 fish hooked and landed.  I never even felt the other 3.  

bigger vs smaller presentaion to the fish for one.  A 1/2 oz buzzbait can be a quite big bait.  A 1/4 can be quite compact.  It depends a little on if you have a specific brand/lure in mind, but sometimes the fish want a big bait and sometimes they don't.  If you find them hitting but not eating, swap to a smaller one.  Retrieve speed can be an influence if both weights have the same blade size.  Often a heavier buzzbait will have a bigger blade to help it stay up at slower speed.  You can swap a bigger blade onto a smaller bait if you want to run it even slower.  

It depends on the rod I'm using . If I'm using my usual 7 foot mh   then I'm going with a 1/2 ounce every time . 

37 minutes ago, scaleface said:

It depends on the rod I'm using . If I'm using my usual 7 foot mh   then I'm going with a 1/2 ounce every time . 

You really care about casting accuracy don’t you?

4 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

You really care about casting accuracy don’t you?

Day in and day out I think its the single most important aspect of bass fishing . If the lure is not placed where the bass is hanging the bass doesnt get caught . 

12 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Day in and day out I think its the single most important aspect of bass fishing . 

Second only to fishing where the fish be.

A 1/4oz can usually be fished slower with less surface disruption, so kind of a more finesse presentation if they've been seeing a lot of noisier topwaters. The 3/8 and 1/2 are more the standards that are typically my starting points. I also use a 3/4oz quite a bit to help with casting in the wind or making longer cast to cover more water. 

I don't think I own one over 3/8oz? White or black 1/4oz is what I use 90% of the time 

 

Allen 

I lost my favorite black, double blade buzzer last night, but not after catching 4 LM and a smallmouth. I couldn't retrieve it fast enough for them to miss it.  Sometimes speed kills and sometimes slow and steady does it.  I can't remember the last time I threw a 1/4oz. one, but I have a few 3/8oz. with big blades that I can crawl along to top.