Are Buzzbaits Harder To Keep Fish On The Line?

[tcbass]

So my brother and I used buzzbaits for the second time last night. First time I used them I caught 3 fish at night and didn't lose any. Last night I think I landed 5 and lost 2. All of them were over 1.5lbs and big. The two I lost were bigger ones, probably in the 2-2.5lbs. Nice bass. I lost them both at the boat after reeling them in from a ways out.

 

 

 

I was using a Cabelas Tournament ZX frog rod (heavy) with 40lbs. Power Pro braid and Abu Revo Rocket and brand new out of the package Booyah Counterstrike Buzzbait. My brother was using a Booyah Buzzbait and caught one fish, he didn't lose any. He was using the exact identical set up. So my rod should have more then enough backbone to set the hook and I thought I set the hook well and am surprised I lost the fish. The line seemed tight with a good bend the entire time. It did seem that the fish might have shook there heads and that's when they got off. I thought that a tight line and barb would keep them on.

 

 

 

 

So I'm wondering, are buzzbaits harder to keep fish on the line? Is there anything I should know about fishing with buzzbaits?

[doyle8218]

^{I don't have any problems as long as I keep the line tight.}

[Coherence]

^^

[Wayne P.]

^{I don't have any problems as long as I keep the line tight.}

If you stick the hook in far enough for the barb to have any affect, you will loose less. That takes minimal stretch line and a fairly stiff rod.

That big hook limits penetration with wimpy equipment.

[JGBassinAL]

I think the only thing that really matters is a proper hookset. I use a custom 7'3" heavy power glass rod for all of my buzzbait/chatterbait/hollow bodied swimbait fishing and I have never had a problem hooking a fish or keeping fish pinned. I used to throw these on a custom 7'4" heavy graphite rod and I lost about 3 out of every 10 fish, and most of them were the bigger fish. With a heavy power glass rod, the tip isn't as whippy as a crankbait rod, but has a lot more give than a heavy power graphite rod. IMO, the reason my hookup percentage has gone out the roof is because the give in the tip allows the fish to really get that bait in there and the pressure from the fish taking the bait deep already hooks them pretty well, then my hookset further solidifies the hook penetration. Then the give from the tip also helps keep the fish on when they surge at the boat. Just my two cents. 

[rippin-lips]

With that stout of a rod and braid they could of been throwing the bait out due to the large hole you make in their mouth using heavy rod. I use braid on a mh rod but back my drag off a good bit and tie about a 7ft mono shock leader. Bobby U recommends straight #15 mono and he fishes the buzzbait A LOT!

[georgeyew]

Do you have a trailer hook on that buzzbait? I don't usually have a problem with the fish throwing the bait unless there is slack in the line. As others have mentioned, you could try a softer rod and see if that helps.

[iceintheveins]

Nope I find buzzbait fish stay stuck pretty good usually.

[MassBass]

I think the problem is that the hook is working a hole in the fishes mouth and then coming out. Getting a thumb on the fish as soon as possible is a good idea. I caught a 3 1/2 pounder the other evening on a buzzbait, i had lipped the fish and when i pulled him up he bucked and the hook flew out. I had control of the fish tho. I also use a medium action rod to let the fish really load on and inhale the lure before i set. 

[tcbass]

Do you have a trailer hook on that buzzbait? I don't usually have a problem with the fish throwing the bait unless there is slack in the line. As others have mentioned, you could try a softer rod and see if that helps.

No trailer. But all the fish appeared to be hooked good and deep and the ones we landed were.