What to use?

[PondBoss]

It was an overcast day the other day and was throwing a black buzz bait and had fish blowing it up the entire time I was fishing.  Problem was I only caught 3 fish.  What gives?  Had my bait blown out of the water on more than one occasion.  What do I need to throw in this case and how do I need to work it to get these seemingly active fish to hook up?  Thanks guys, it's always a fountain of knowledge and help.

[Tanker4lyfe]

always have a follow up bait my favorite when im using a topwater is either a super fluke type swimbait or a shallow running crankbait

[MNGeorge]

Whenever we're fishing buzzbaits, we have a "throwback" rig ready for just those occasions you're describing.  Usually a fluke or a hard jerkbait.  As soon as you miss a fish on the buzzer, set the buzzer rod down and cast your throwback bait to the spot where you missed.  You might also try a different color buzzer.

[FR0G]

Can't believe no one asked if he is using a trailer hook! That should solve most of the bass not getting hooked.

[PondBoss]

Yep had a trailer hook.  And was throwing a follow up bait, a watermelon fluke.  Only had one bite on that as a follow up bait and landed him.  I was thinking that maybe they weren't really biting as much as they were spearing the bait.  The fish have already spawned here and are protecting fry.  At least that is my guess as when you see a school of fry you could see a protector within a few feet.

[Tanker4lyfe]

as for a buzzbait trailer hooks are not neccesary i watched a vid of KVD and i cant remember what he said but he was saying that the way a buzzbait is designed it doesnt need a trailer hook i do remember him saying that it had something to do with its weedlessness but i suppose if your fishing the open water your fine

[PondBoss]

I actually do something a bit unsual with trailer hools and run them upside down.  My thinking on this is that it is a top water bait and it shouldn't (in theory) be in much danger of getting hung up.  I have used this trick for a couple of years mainly with spinnerbaits and it has dramatically increased my hit/land ratio.

[T-Bone]

It's possible that they could be missing the buzzbait.  Maybe try a slower retrieving top water, like a pop-r or zara spook.

[Grey Wolf]

Nobody has a 100% hook-up rate. Sounds to me like they were just missing it. It probably wasn't anything you were doing wrong.

[Paul Roberts]

Males protecting beds or fry was may immediate thought.

[HesterIsGod]

It's possible that they could be missing the buzzbait. Maybe try a slower retrieving top water, like a pop-r or zara spook.

Exactly what I was thinking. Either modify your buzzbait, making it smaller and retrieving it slower is my thought, or switch to a bait that is much slower and that you could stop.

[Catt]

I would have switched colors to a white or chartreuse buzz bait  

[Crestliner2008]

Hmmm....maybe one of those 18" long buzzers Bill Dance uses!