Rod and Reel for Buzzbait

[BassBlowup354]

I own a 7’3 Heavy MF action rod and a  

9.3 gear ratio reel with 13 lbs of drag. It has 65 lb braid on. I know this is ideal for frogs, but can it be used for buzzbaits? Also can u use this setup for whopper ploppers? If this setup is not ideal plz give suggestions.

[MN Fisher]

Little fast for my tastes but workable - I toss buzzbaits and my WPs on the Fuego rig - 8.1:1, H/F rod, 50# Power Pro w/no leader.

[Bluebasser86]

It will work, but it's far from ideal. It's much better suited for the ploppers than the buzzers, just don't set the hook when they bite, keep cranking and keep the line tight and kind of sweep into them and you'll be fine.

 

A rod more like what you'd use for spinnerbaits is ideal. I use a 6' 10" MH/F with a 9.3 reel and 15lb Big Game.

[mrpao]

I think that combo will work fine for buzzbaits. If you ask, you're going to get a bunch of different answers. Everyone likes something different.

I throw my buzzbaits on a 7'2" hvy rod with a 7.8:1 gear reel and 40# braid. I like the slightly longer rod to make further cast and the braid to get better hooksets at the end of the cast. The faster reel will help get the buzzbait up on plane faster. This combo also works well with the smaller to med sized whopper poppers too.

Other people may prefer a different combo though. But we all fish differently.

[Dens228]

Rod wise I used to use a MH/Fast for buzzbaits.  

In late summer this year I used a H/Fast and my hookups were 100%.  The bass seemed to hook themselves with little need of assistance from me. 

[Grim_Reaver]

65lb braid and a heavy action rod is overkill for buzzbaits imo but it will work. Just make sure you get buzzbaits with a heavier wire and thicker gauge hook. You can also use larger whopper plopper sizes without overpowering the rod. The MF action will provide some shock absorption to keep you from ripping the hooks out. If you have problems with braid wrapping around your bait, use a small shock leader of 15-20lb mono to prevent it.

[Shimano_1]

I think the rod and line are fine. The reel would take some getting used to for me. I use a 7 ratio and feel its plenty fast for buzzbaits. I'm sure yours will work just have to slow down. 

[swhit140]

I usually use 30-50lb braid, but you can catch them on whichever line you like to use. I use 7'-7'3 Rod MH/F rod with 7:3:1 gear ratio. You can use a 6:3:1 ratio even if you wanted, I think 7-8 gear ratio on buzzbaits,frogs and other topwaters works well.

[Fishin Dad]

15 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

It will work, but it's far from ideal. It's much better suited for the ploppers than the buzzers, just don't set the hook when they bite, keep cranking and keep the line tight and kind of sweep into them and you'll be fine.

 

A rod more like what you'd use for spinnerbaits is ideal. I use a 6' 10" MH/F with a 9.3 reel and 15lb Big Game.

What reel are you using that has a 9.3?   

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Fishin Dad said:

What reel are you using that has a 9.3?   

He must have one of the KK Speed Demons

[Bluebasser86]

1 hour ago, Fishin Dad said:

What reel are you using that has a 9.3?   

One of the original KK Speed Demons.

[Fishin Dad]

4 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

One of the original KK Speed Demons.

Interesting, I don’t want to hijack this thread, but do you like it?  Would it be a good Flippin reel?   

[newyorktoiowa57]

7MHF(really a MF) Bionic blade with #12YZ hybrid or mono is what works well for me. Really allows the bass to load up and then I can just do a sweep set. 

[Bluebasser86]

On 11/16/2019 at 9:13 PM, Fishin Dad said:

Interesting, I don’t want to hijack this thread, but do you like it?  Would it be a good Flippin reel?   

I've used one of them for it before it does pretty well. It's bigger and heavier than a lot of current reels (similar to a 200B Curado with a much bigger handle). It got the job done though.

[5by3]

Dobyns 743 with 40 lb braid on a 6.3 reel. Also use this rod for larger walking baits and WP 110s

[bunz559]

I throw buzz baits on 2 rods, Dobyn's XP 734 or 735cb. Borth are paired with Chronarch 51e, one reel has 14lb fluoro and the other has 12lb mono. 

[Bankbeater]

I use the same rod I that I use to cast spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

[FishTank]

I like a Med Fast rod around 7' and with a 7.x reel with 12 or 15lb Sunline Natural for buzzbaits.  Not a fan of braid with buzzbaits for some reason.  

[BassBlowup354]

On 11/16/2019 at 9:13 PM, Fishin Dad said:

Interesting, I don’t want to hijack this thread, but do you like it?  Would it be a good Flippin reel?   

It’s drag is only 13 lbs. I like heavier drag when flipping 

[bazzelite19]

17# line is a good castable/strong test rating. I like mono because it seems to cast more buzzers easily for me. Around grass, braid is awesome. For ploppers braid is the way to go as it keeps them up and running. Consider a 2-3 foot leader in clearer water/ pressured areas. If yoh are running braid you don't necessarily need a broomstick. Something like a medium heavy with a softish tip section should do fine. If its to stiff youll backlash the braid easier.