Buzz bait issues

[Matt Hoo]

I searched, but the was not able to find what I was looking for. 
 

my question is I have been trying to throw a buzz bait and I’ve been having a hell of a time getting the to run true and in some cases surface quick enough to be useful. I have thrown them on a few different rods, different weights, different trailers, different brands. I know part of it is learning to stop the lure before it hits the water and to start reeling immediately. That obviously helps, but I still seem to lose several feet of it running on the top. About the best luck I’ve had was throwing a jackall firecracker without a trailer. I caught a couple with it. Top water is what I enjoy the most and I’ve done really well with all other types of top water I just want to add this to the box. 

[GreenPig]

Tweak/bend the blade arm just a little bit one way or the other to get them to run true. A fast 7 or 8 speed reel should quickly get a buzz on top.

[WRB]

What are you using?

Tom

[Matt Hoo]

I have bent them several different ways experimenting trying to get them to run vertical. I have been throwing on a 7.5:1. I think it is due to the pressure exerted on the shaft by the blade turning. 

[PhishLI]

I have the best luck getting a buzzbait on plane using an 8 spd reel. I throw them using a Fuego CT XSL which is a 34 IPT reel. Anything slower and I need to crank like crazy to get it on top quickly.

[heavyduty]

Reel gear ratio is most important but a close second for me is to use a buzzbait with a planer head such as the Prototype Lures Guerilla buzzbait

[Koz]

I've caught a TON of bass and big bass on buzzbaits each year and not once did I use a trailer.

 

Just sayin'...

[Mobasser]

You might switch to a lighter weight buzzer. One of the best ones I've used was a Bill Norman tripe wing buzzbait in 1/4 oz.

[Catt]

7.5:1 is fine ?

 

Two things I would try

First let it hit the water then quickly bring your rod tip up to 11:00 & then start reeling. 

 

When a buzzbait is running on it side try slowing down. Most buzzbaits are designed to be reeled slow, I throw mine on a 6:8.1.

[scaleface]

I use to throw buzzers  on 4.6 to 1 . I use a 6 to 1 now and have zero problem with it .

[Matt Hoo]

48 minutes ago, WRB said:

What are you using?

Tom

I have about 10 different buzz baits. 1/8, 3/8, 1/2oz. Several brands like strike king, Booyah, and jackall. The jackall worked decent and caught a few fish once I took the trailer off. 

27 minutes ago, Catt said:

7.5:1 is fine ?

 

Two things I would try

First let it hit the water then quickly bring your rod tip up to 11:00 & then start reeling. 

 

When a buzzbait is running on it side try slowing down. Most buzzbaits are designed to be reeled slow, I throw mine on a 6:8.1.

It is very likely a technique thing that I’m missing. It’s just a little frustrating. Doesn’t seem like it should be this much of an issue. 

[scaleface]

If your not already doing it , cast sidearm . That way you wont have a big bow of line to try to catch up too . As far as running sideways , thats just their nature . Try using it to your advantage by running it into stuff .

[WRB]

I met to ask what line are you using?

Tom

[Matt Hoo]

9 minutes ago, WRB said:

I met to ask what line are you using?

Tom

30 or 50 pound braid depending on the rod and reel I had it tied on. 

[papajoe222]

I've been using the same system to get my buzzers up and running with the first crank of the reel; I finish my cast with my rod tip parallel to the water, engage the reel just before the lure hits the water and immediately do two things. The first is to raise my rod to around 11:00. The second is to begin turning the reel handle at the same time. The lure doesn't have a chance to sink. A couple of quick turns of the handle while dropping the rod tip puts me in a good hook setting position. 

Unless you're reeling too fast, the buzzer won't roll on its side, or overly track to the side. I suggest you past well past your target. This will avoid spooking the fish with a noisy splash down and it will give you time to get the bait up and running at a moderate pace before reaching your target.

[Matt Hoo]

Well I did two things today and it made a lot of difference. One was I switched to a stiffer rod. I also followed the advise given to point the rod at the bait as it’s going out and lifting the rod and start reeling at the same time it hits the water. I caught a bunch today including 5 on a buzz bait. I had a huge blow up that missed it which sucked. Thanks for the advice. 

[TnRiver46]

I’ve never owned a reel faster than 6:1, it’s all about technique not gear ratio. Anticipate it landing and don’t let it sink, it’s that simple 

[Matt Hoo]

7 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve never owned a reel faster than 6:1, it’s all about technique not gear ratio. Anticipate it landing and don’t let it sink, it’s that simple 

I’ll let all the professional fishermen know they are doing it wrong. All the need is skill and technique. I’m just messing with you. I don’t necessarily agree with you, but I also know different people like different things. 

[TnRiver46]

4 minutes ago, Matt Hoo said:

I’ll let all the professional fishermen know they are doing it wrong. All the need is skill and technique. I’m just messing with you. I don’t necessarily agree with you, but I also know different people like different things. 

The pros can keep one on the surface with a 5:1 (or even slower if they still exist). Heck many pros are throwing buzzers with sinking Floro line nowadays because if you keep it moving on the surface (with motor skills) it literally doesn’t matter 

[scaleface]

If  an overhand arching cast is made the lure hits the water  followed by the line . It might be a 50 foot cast with 60 foot of line out . Thats ten foot of line that has to be reeled in before the lure starts to move . Low trajectory sidearm cast alleviates this problem .

[TnRiver46]

9 minutes ago, scaleface said:

If  a big overhand arching cast is made the lure hits the water  followed by the line . It might be a 50 foot cast with 70 foot of line out . Thats twenty foot of line that has to be reeled in before the lure starts to move . Low trajectory sidearm cast alleviates this problem .

That helps along with a high rod tip. Also just watch the lure with your eyes, stop the spool with your thumb before it lands, and start reeling. I was taught by old men that use round Abu 5000c reels with probably a 3.5:1 gear ratio and fiberglass poles that were as flemsy as bamboo. They stressed never letting a buzzbait below the surface and it’s by far their #1 lure. They even made their own buzzbaits. Sure a stiff pole and super fast gears will help but it’s not necessary if you pay attention. They never had the option of fast gears or graphite 

[keagbassr]

@TnRiver46 is 100% correct. Its all timing and technique. In the old days we learned that a buzzbait should ' hit the water running'. Lifting the rod tip and reeling just before it lands should be one motion. Throw one enough [particularly after dark] and you should be able to do it with your eyes closed just by the sound of your spool slowing down.

[Catt]

1 hour ago, scaleface said:

It might be a 50 foot cast with 60 foot of line out . Thats ten foot of line that has to be reeled in before the lure starts to move .

 

If you point your rod at the buzzbait at around 9:30 you will not have that much line out. Right before splash down I thumb the reel for a soft entry. Engage the reel while lifting & start reeling.

 

That's old school that still works 

 

Gear ratio?

 

I don't care, throw what you're comfortable with!

[scaleface]

35 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

If you point your rod at the buzzbait at around 9:30 you will not have that much line out. Right before splash down I thumb the reel for a soft entry. Engage the reel while lifting & start reeling.

 

That's old school that still works 

 

Gear ratio?

 

I don't care, throw what you're comfortable with!

One way or the other the OP has to resolve the issue of having too much slack line out at the end of the cast .

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, keagbassr said:

@TnRiver46 is 100% correct. Its all timing and technique. In the old days we learned that a buzzbait should ' hit the water running'. Lifting the rod tip and reeling just before it lands should be one motion. Throw one enough [particularly after dark] and you should be able to do it with your eyes closed just by the sound of your spool slowing down.

Thanks buddy, lord knows you throw it a lot with great success. Those same old timers that taught me always make fun of this one friend of theirs that engages the reel before the buzzbait lands. They always say “you could just hear the gears in that old ambassaduer crying out” but it kept the lure on top by golly. 
 

also if you want some good buzzbait footage, watch Jacob wheeler chest mounted go pro footage on YouTube.  He’s a master of that lure, and his rods are whippy