After some of you have encouraged me to use a buzzbait, I finally did last night and tonight and caught some solid bass. So, I have a question. I been using two retrieves:

 

A high and water-chopping retrieve

 

A slower water gurgling retrieve

 

Is one generally better or should I continue to use both?

Put me in the ‘slower is better’ camp, generally, though things like water and weather conditions can affect that decision.

I mostly go slow.

 

If you havent already, crimp the rivet so it doesnt spin  to make it chirp.

As slow as you can go but still keep it on the surface.  You can also tune them to run slightly one way or the the othe making it easy to get closer to and under targets.

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

I mostly go slow.

 

If you havent already, crimp the rivet so it doesnt spin  to make it chirp.

 

I'll try that. Thanks!

I've always run them slow. I've always had them try to lay sideways with anything nearing a fast retrieve.

I’m in the slow camp also. I like to use a high rod tip to keep the nose of the bait up and reel it as slow as it will still stay on the top. Like you said, it’s more of a gurgle. I like big blades for that and light heads. I’m normally fishing them in lower light that way. If the water is clear and there is light then I speed them up but usually that isn’t a buzz bait bite for me anyway. 
 

and don’t forget a small plastic trailer. Either a split tail or a 3.5” spunk shad or similar. I bet a take off senko that is ripped in the middle would do the same too. It’s not for action, it’s for physical mass for the fish to inhale. 

I go quick if I’m target casting or getting under overhanging brush. Lots of time this is in moving and/or very shallow water. I go slow if I’m covering large amounts of high-potential water with long casts if that makes sense.

slow.  just enough to keep it on the surface.  but I'm a BB rookie.

I may fish it slow, I may speed it up. I may do a straight retrieve or pop it once, two, or three times in a row during the retrieve to try and trigger a bite.

 

I never use a trailer on my buzzbaits because I don't want to speed it up too much to keep it from sinking.

 

I don't like clacker buzzbaits as they have never produced for me. But a buzzbait with a good squeak is priceless.

9 minutes ago, Kayak Koz said:

I may fish it slow, I may speed it up. I may do a straight retrieve or pop it once, two, or three times in a row during the retrieve to try and trigger a bite.

 

I never use a trailer on my buzzbaits because I don't want to speed it up too much to keep it from sinking.

 

I don't like clacker buzzbaits as they have never produced for me. But a buzzbait with a good squeak is priceless.

This is kinda what I do.

 

I go fast..or slow..and let the fish tell me what they want.

 

It should be evident fairly quickly whether they want fast or show slow, pauses, pops, etc

Second question: Do they work all year? With my 2025 fishing almost over, I'm hoping I can use one again next spring. 

I'm not sure how well they work on ice, but here in Mexico they work all year.

They're not considered a winter bait, although I have caught fish in January on them (in 41 degree water).

 

Here's a download on buzzbait fishing:

 

 

3 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

Second question: Do they work all year? With my 2025 fishing almost over, I'm hoping I can use one again next spring. 

About 50-55 is where I draw the line.  For whatever reason in the spring, I look to other baits even though I know they catch fish.  

I do both slow and fast, sometimes over the same area.

I have never tried them in cold weather, they work here all year. I like them in low light situations, morning and evening.

 

 

I should have just watched Glenn's video. It answers all my questions and some I hadn't yet asked. Thanks, @Glenn!

Still have some old Lunker Lure buzz baits that I use.

Good Fishing

4 minutes ago, GreenTrout said:

Still have some old Lunker Lure buzz baits that I use.

Good Fishing

I have some. I use to have some Mister Twister buzzbaits. They made one with two props one behind the other

I don't know if you guys ever feel this way, but I can feel learning-tuckered after three years of learning so many new things to catch lmb. It's one reason I delayed casting a buzzbait. I assumed that I simply couldn't tie on the bait and cast, that trailing the buzzbait would be the scores of tricks I've have to learn that might increase my catch.

 

It's the same with a bladed jig, another bait I've avoided using. I've gained some competence with half a dozen baits that cover the water column and there are times I just want to keep swing dancing with those baits. I know the moves of those swing dance partners. I can step onto the floor with them and have a great time. 

 

"But you should really learn salsa!" someone always says.

 

This doesn't mean that I'm not glad I finally used a buzzbait. As I explained above, it does something other water-churning baits can't do. However, I'm going to develop some competence with it before even considering another new lure. Hopefully I can achieve this before the Kid returns in 2026 because he LOVES learning new lures and if I'm going to teach him, I better know something. 

I have better luck in colder water in the fall than I do in the spring with a bb. I like a slow retrieve and will mix in occasional rod twitches to make it pop a little. It seems like some days a lot of my strikes will come immediately following those rod twitches.

The colder the water, the slower you should retrieve it, generally speaking.

I REALLY like throwing the 1/8 oz buzzbaits.

 

also try buying the small medium and large replacement blades and try doing some blade size changes.

 

There are ABSOLUTELY times where fast is good and times when slow is good.  Times when small is best by a long shot and times when big is the way to go.

 

I just know that if it’s shallow and cover and there are bass - they will hit a buzzbait. 
 

I’ve caught them in all 12 months on the bait and it catches giant bass and numbers.

 

1/8 oz buzzbait is deadly.

 

modifying buzzbaits for burning or slow rolling purposes (heavy head with a tiny blade or vice versa) is very advised.

 

try lots of different types of trailer vs skirt vs trailer and skirt and even trailers with action trailers with no action - all of this stuff can make a world of difference just like with jigs or plastics.

I love me a buzz-bait! Mainly throw a 3/8 oz. black, no trailer. I really like the triple-bladed baits...they seem to gurgle more, and allow a slower retrieve. Don't like the clackers. 

 

It's usually the first bait I throw in the morning...in darkness or low light. Love hearing that gurgle. 

 

 

A good buzzbait should cast well , with the blades spinning in the air. If it flops around like a wounded duck then try another brand.Cavitrons and Lunker Lures cast nicely.

1 minute ago, DaubsNU1 said:

I really like the triple-bladed baits...they seem to gurgle more, and allow a slower retrieve. Don't like the clackers. 

I never liked the Norman Triple Wing baits. After being skunked with one and my partner nailing bass after bass with a Lunker Lure,I took it off never to use it again.They just dont have that chirp. I dont use clackers either.