Buzz Baits Across Hydrilla

[fishinTexas]

I recently had the oppurtunity to fish a resevoir that is heavily covered (at the banks) w/ hydrilla. After having very little success w/ working a senko around the different holes, I switched to a buzz bait. A friend had been telling me about this, casting on top of the hydrilla and reeling as soon as it hits. It was awesome to see those bass bust up from under the hydrilla and hit the bait. Between the two of us we landed five fish in about 45 minutes (I had another but lost it).

My question is this: is there any way to alter a buz bait so that it doesn't snag as much?  Although we had success I also reeled in a lot of hydrilla. I fish on a water wagon which I am almost sitting even w/ the water. I hold my arms up high to keep try to keep the bait from hanging.

[Will]

Try the Zoom Horny Toad, you can make it weedless and it works just like a buzzbait along the surface. Just be sure to let the fish grab the bait before setting the hook.

[Marty]

I fish on a water wagon which I am almost sitting even w/ the water.

At the risk of advertising my ignorance to the world, what's a "water wagon"?  ???

[Max-in-Mn]

I think he means a paddleboat, could be wrong though.

[fishinTexas]

"Water Wagon" is just a large piece of styrofoam, that is shaped somewhat like an "H" w/ cross bar a little thicker. You sit on it w/ the your legs in the water from a little below the knees down. Most guys in my area just use flippers to get around. I have putting a trolling motor on mine though.

I hope that discription makes sense.

[Marty]

I hope that discription makes sense.

Yes, that seems clear enough. It's just that I never saw one of those devices or heard the term. Maybe I'll do a search and see if anything turns up.

Thanks.

[Bass_junky]

This has been one of my favorite approaches.  I personally believe that not all big bass are in deeper (25' +) water this time of year.  You can cover more water with a buzz bait than with plastics in this situation.  Unfortunately there is a downside.  That is weeds accumulating on the blade.  At times I have retrieved a buzz bait so fast it rolls onto it's side to avoid the weeds and momentarily stop the bait in the pockets for just a few seconds.  This will keep more weeds off your blade but you may be sacraficing a few fish.  I believe it is a reaction bite & the presentation in this thick stuff isn't as important as in open water.  Most bait fish & small fry accumulate in these weeds and the bass know it.

If anyone knows of a way to modify a buzz bait i would also be interested...

[soldier]

On modifications...  bend the upper (blade) wire down, just enough so the blade will tick the bottom wire for more noise..   2.  drill 1/8" holes in the blade for more bubbling...3.  bend the curved part of the blade even more, such as by bending it around a pen.  So far, I've tried the first and the third modification w/ good results.

[bassackwards]

I dont seem to have any problems with getting caught, I cast it just to the edge of the hydrilla where it hits the hydrilla, but mostly hits the water.

but I use a baitcaster and reel it as soon as it hits.  so I dont let it sink and get all into the hydrilla.

[Chris]

(if you can still find them) A weed walker its a plastic spoon that has a paddlewheel in the middle. Panther Martin weedwing would be another good choice and you can still get them. Its a johnsons spoon with a buzz bait prop on the front. That zoom horny toad is a heck of a deal for the kind of cover your fishing also.

[Curado]

I would definetly throw a horny toad and a scum fog on it.

[Phishn_Phool]

I also agree with the Zoom horny toad, but this week I have been throwing a Sizmic frog, basically the same as a horny toad with a differently sound.  I also throw a buzzbait called a Cavitron.  It rides a little higher in the water and is advertized as the "slowest" buzzbait made.

                                       CPR ;D