Do you think buzz baits are effective for river smallmouth or do you find other topwater presentations more productive?

[Ohioguy25]

What size/color?

[WRB]

Buzz bait is a top water lure!

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

18 minutes ago, WRB said:

Buzz bait is a top water lure!

Tom

Where did I say it wasn’t? Lol.

[gim]

Never had much luck with a buzzer in a river.  The current seemed to play games with the blades trying to work on the surface.  I prefer a wake bait or super shallow running crank bait that floats.  I'd cast it, let it sit, pop it a couple times, then start reeling it in.

[FryDog62]

Best I’ve used for river smallmouth has been a Cover Pop. It allows you to either walk-the-dog or use as a standard popper. As Gimruis said above, sometimes there are current breaks, seams or open areas - so it’s good to be able to retrieve in different ways when needed. 

[PaulVE64]

In my river a buzzbait does a nice job attracting northern pike.

Smallies will smash WPlopper, spooks and poppers.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Where did I say it wasn’t? Lol.

Other top water makes it clear...apologize?

Yes smaller size single buzzers work good. My personal favorite is Cultiva Zip ‘n Ziggy in Baby bass.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

Other top water makes it clear...apologize?

Yes smaller size single buzzers work good. My personal favorite is Cultiva Zip ‘n Ziggy in Baby bass.

Tom

Yeah. You like walking baits?

[WRB]

14 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Yeah. You like walking baits?

Yep and Splash-It’s.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

1 minute ago, WRB said:

Yep and Splash-It’s.

Tom

Is that a popper?

[WRB]

8 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Is that a popper?

Yep, Don Iovino Products Slash-it 1/4 oz MM (Miracle Minnow). Splash-It comes with Owner chicken Hooks, feather rear. You work a Splash-it Fast.

Tom

[Ohioguy25]

10 minutes ago, WRB said:

Yep, Don Iovino Products Slash-it 1/4 oz MM (Miracle Minnow). Splash-It comes with Owner chicken Hooks, feather rear. You work a Splash-it Fast.

Tom

Nice, yeah I have a couple Ricos I throw

[heavyduty]

Crock O Gator black/black gold 3/8oz. The head shape is like a planer that keeps it on top easier. Always have one on for river smallie topwater.

[Kyle S]

Buzz baits are super effective on my local river systems. They are undoubtedly one of the most efficient and effective lures for fishing the grass that riddles the river banks.

[MIbassyaker]

yes -- 1/4 oz black/gold or white/chart/gold cavitron with a trailer hook.

 

But to be honest, in recent years I've found the Whopper Plopper 75 a bit more versatile ...I can cast upcurrent a bit, and let it float down into position before starting the retrieve.

[Pat Brown]

Don't sleep on the 1/8 oz boogerman in a baitfish color (maybe some chartreuse for smallmouth).  They CRUSH that lil guy and it catches giants.  Haven't needed a trailer hook with the really small one.

[padon]

in the susquehanna this time of year we have lots of eel grass. a buzzbait over the top can be lights out. you dont need anything fancy . a 1/4 ounce strike king buzz king works fine. black or white.

[Ohioguy25]

3 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

yes -- 1/4 oz black/gold or white/chart/gold cavitron with a trailer hook.

 

But to be honest, in recent years I've found the Whopper Plopper 75 a bit more versatile ...I can cast upcurrent a bit, and let it float down into position before starting the retrieve.

You prefer 75 to 90? Also what about a black w a red blade?

[MIbassyaker]

22 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

You prefer 75 to 90? Also what about a black w a red blade?

The tail prop on the 75 is actually a little bigger and is quicker to start up.  But sure, the 90 works too.  Blade color probably doesn't matter; I just like gold because it seems to fit much of the forage base. 

[Ohioguy25]

11 hours ago, MIbassyaker said:

The tail prop on the 75 is actually a little bigger and is quicker to start up.  But sure, the 90 works too.  Blade color probably doesn't matter; I just like gold because it seems to fit much of the forage base. 

I’ve heard that, heavier and more compact so likely casts better too.

[valleyfisherman]

I find buzz baits work everywhere for me this time of the year. A lot of the grass I have does tend to clog them though, so I focus on the edges and holes, picking them apart. I did have a lot of misses, I carry improvised trailer hooks when that starts to happen.

 

Catfish broke my favorite buzzbait last year, was a Walmart special and I forget the brand now. Haven't seen a 3 tip buzzbait in Walmart since lol. I need to get some blades and start testing out inline buzz baits for fun. 

[TnRiver46]

I love a buzzbait for big river smallies. Got a 23” one time right in the rapids. Skinny one tho 

[LrgmouthShad]

8 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

23”

?

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, LrgmouthShad said:

?

It was probably not even 4 lbs, don’t be so shocked haha. Will find a pic once I slow down 

[KP Duty]

I say try it out and find out first hand.  The last state tourny I fished was on a river in late September, and a pop-r took the win.