This has been mine for 20 years(?) or since they were originally introduced.

 

https://www.megastrike.com/cavitron

6 hours ago, Kyle S said:

you can tape your buzzbaits to the side mirror of your car to wear it down faster or you can carefully take a file and gently file down the blade arm until you perfect the perfect noise?

Interesting concept, thanks for all this info!

4 minutes ago, PressuredFishing said:

Interesting concept, thanks for all this info!

 

You can take a pair of neddlenose pliers & slightly bend the top of the rivet upwards. The blade will rub against it & squeal.

16 hours ago, Kyle S said:

Right before the lure touches down on the waters surface, engage the handle and start the retrieve.

Two more things
1) end your cast with the rod tip at 9 o'clock, and use the rod tip to get the slack out and get the bait moving on touchdown. Should be moving it from 9 to 100, and as Kyle mentioned, moving it back down as you get closer to the boat
2) stop the spool before you engage the reel, it's really nasty on the gears otherwise. I have one reel that makes some really odd noises now, and it's 100% from engaging the handle without stopping the spool.

 

9 minutes ago, txchaser said:

stop the spool before you engage the reel, it's really nasty on the gears otherwise. I have one reel that makes some really odd noises now, and it's 100% from engaging the handle without stopping the spool

Will keep this in mind thanks

I love buzzbaits and throw them often. My best success has always been on cloudy and or lightly rainy days. I've tried to like trailers on them and have tried many but ultimately I always go back to a skirt. My weapon of choice is a 3\8oz war eagle black with black blade- throw that 95% of the time. My biggest 5 bass limit ever came on a buzzbait on a cool drizzly fall day-somewhere around 26-27lbs.

With a buzzer you want it land softly on the water while raising your rod tip to get the lure moving towards you without sinking to start the blades.

It’s a timing thing that take a few cast to master,

Tom

21 minutes ago, txchaser said:

2) stop the spool before you engage the reel, it's really nasty on the gears otherwise.

 

Only time I've wore a Calcutta 50A out was engaging the reel without stopping it first.  

14 minutes ago, WRB said:

With a buzzer you want it land softly on the water while raising your rod tip to get the lure moving towards you without sinking to start the blades.

It’s a timing thing that take a few cast to master,

Tom

I see, I was thinking about fishing them in the flooded bushes this spring if shad push up after the spawn, or perhaps even before as you mentioned earlier, any other reccomendations on where to fish a buzzbait?

14 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I see, I was thinking about fishing them in the flooded bushes this spring if shad push up after the spawn, or perhaps even before as you mentioned earlier, any other reccomendations on where to fish a buzzbait?

 

Anywhere.  A buzzbait is very much a reaction bait.  There is something about that steady "plop plop plop" that draws a fish's attention from a mile away like an injured baitfish splashing across the surface.  Anywhere fish are looking up and are feeding on baitfish you should fish a buzzbait.  

It doesn't take long to figure out whether it works or not either.  Its generally going to target a relatively aggressive response and the fish have to be in the mood for it.  Don't keep tossing it for 4 hours if you aren't getting blow ups or strikes at it.  15 minutes is enough for me unless its producing at least some reaction.

17 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

I see, I was thinking about fishing them in the flooded bushes this spring if shad push up after the spawn, or perhaps even before as you mentioned earlier, any other reccomendations on where to fish a buzzbait?

Any time you see or hear surface activity, cast beyond the swirls and retrieve the buzzer where the activity occurs.

Tom

On 2/15/2023 at 5:56 AM, Kyle S said:

One characteristic of a very used buzz bait is that the blade wire starts to thin down from it being spun so much and the blade starts to emit a higher pitch as it spins. 

That higher pitch is often referred to as a 'squeal.'

You want the squeal, lol

You can also just zip tie it to your truck antenna if you have an old beater truck like mine (I know a lot of newer cars have the antennas built into the windows).  It'll get that squeal you're looking for.  I've gotten to where I only throw the Caivtrons.

 

one other thing - If you've got a really choice bit of cover that you think has a high likelihood of holding a big fish, sometimes you can tick that fish off enough to bite a buzzbait. Don't be afraid to cast at the same spot three or four times. And when that fish comes it's going to smash the crap out of that buzzbait. I don't think I'd do that on every bit of cover, just the one that has the "this holds a monster" feel to it.