Buzzbaits on the river ?

[kyron4]

Do buzzbaits work well for smallies in a river where average depth is 2-3 feet ? If so any time of day better than other ? Any tips to pass on ? In  fast current or slacker water only ?

-Thanks

[nashontheriver]

i recently started using a buzzbait on the river. it gets a lot of strikes from the smaller rock bass. no smallies on it though. i've been using a black mini buzz, maybe a bigger one would entice smallies. are you fishing white river? nightime gets the most strikes, but its harder too see obstructions in the water.

[Crestliner2008]

I have caught them on buzz baits, but it's not high percentage bait for me. Try "bulging" the surface instead with a spinnerbait. 

[SuskyDude]

Not a big buzzbait fan, poppers do it for me. I know plenty of guys like the buzzbait for the river though.

Topwater during the low water periods of summer is fantastic. Shallow water is the key, so 2-3 feet avg is good. I target push water, riffles, chutes, as well as shallow flats with smooth moving laminar flow.

In my experience time of day doesn't matter much. When the water is low and warm, and the sun is high and blazin, I kill it in the riffles.

[kyron4]

. are you fishing white river? .

The Wabash River

[riverfisher]

Heck yeah they work well!

[NateFollmer]

Small Black Buzzbaits right after the sun goes down work GREAT for smallies on the Juniata, maybe they will produce for you also. They do seem to like the poppers better though, but I usually throw everything in my top water arsenal in 1 evening haha. Nothing beats a black or clear tiny torpedo!

[smashingsmallies]

Suskydude-are you talking the small poppers like 1" or the bigger plug types?  Does anyone throw those small poppers and how do you cast such a light bait?

[lightsout]

A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

[SuskyDude]

A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

[SuskyDude]

Suskydude-are you talking the small poppers like 1" or the bigger plug types? Does anyone throw those small poppers and how do you cast such a light bait?

I'm talking about plugs.

The tiny poppers that I think your speaking of are for fly rods.

[singingdog]

I find buzzbaits an "all or nothing" lure: they are either hitting them like crazy, or not at all. The good thing is that you find out pretty quick if the buzzbait bite is on, especially in water that shallow.

Time of day? Again, if the buzzbait bite is on, it doesn't matter. If you are getting skunked sometime, in bluebird skies and high noon, try the buzzbait!

[lightsout]

A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

      

      I disagree dude.   A buzzer is much more usuable on a variety of situations on the river than a popper.

For example when I float the fall line on the James here in Richmond, I repeatedly encounter sections 30' downstream from each other that either a popper CAN be fished or CANNOT (within reason). A buzzbait can be left on for the duration of the float and is fishable everywhere  (low class rapids current, grass, eddies, riffles, canals, over logs, etc).

If you also consider the how much more weedless a buzzer is over a popper with those trebles hanging down I think its safe to say it's alot more versatle.

As for the speed factor yes theres days where they will prefer something slower on top, but it's rare.  A river smallie is not exactly shy at chasing down fast prey.

[SuskyDude]

A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

I disagree dude. A buzzer is much more usuable on a variety of situations on the river than a popper.

For example when I float the fall line on the James here in Richmond, I repeatedly encounter sections 30' downstream from each other that either a popper CAN be fished or CANNOT (within reason). A buzzbait can be left on for the duration of the float and is fishable everywhere (low class rapids current, grass, eddies, riffles, canals, over logs, etc).

If you also consider the how much more weedless a buzzer is over a popper with those trebles hanging down I think its safe to say it's alot more versatle.

As for the speed factor yes theres days where they will prefer something slower on top, but it's rare. A river smallie is not exactly shy at chasing down fast prey.

I've never met a riffle I couldn't pop. 

But your right about the treble/ single hook comparison...dude.

I still think the popper is more versatile.

You can deadstick it, work it slow, work it fast (almost buzzbait speed if you do your homework), make different sounds/splashes depending on how you work it, and change the cadence. When a fish misses, you can pause and wait...can't do that with a buzzbait.

Hey whatever blows your 'fro back. I'm by no means knocking the bb, merely giving my opinion.

[BassThumb]

An 1/8 oz buzzbait is my favorite river smallie lure.

[Dave T.]

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who still uses a Yo-Zuri Pop'n Splash. I only have two left, and the one has been beat to death. LOL

Suskydude,

Where have you been able to find them... except for the occasional straggler on Ebay?

[iceintheveins]

Buzzbaits are killer for me in Colorado's Yampa River, ESPECIALLY for the big smallies of 3 pounds or over. I catch a lot of 1 - 2 pounders and some smaller on them too though. Low light periods or cloudy weather are best but they will hit them all day sometimes. They are great for cover long expanses of slack water, especially shallower. I love buzzbaits on the Yampa because the river's big ol' pike love them too. Have caught 40" pike and a 5 pound smallie in the same day before. I throw them out and bring them straight up against the current, as slooooow as can be.

[iceintheveins]

Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

[SuskyDude]

Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

Popepers in fast water, I'm telling you, get outside the box.

[SuskyDude]

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who still uses a Yo-Zuri Pop'n Splash. I only have two left, and the one has been beat to death. LOL

Suskydude,

Where have you been able to find them... except for the occasional straggler on Ebay?

Got them from ebay- I have about 6-7 of the original size and 3-4 of the magnums.

The ZZ POP by yo zuri is pretty much the same lure, at least in it;s action. I was buying them from Wal Mart but now they are becoming hard to find

[iceintheveins]

Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

Popepers in fast water, I'm telling you, get outside the box.

I will remember that when I come to fish the susky within a year or two. Ever tried skitterpops there?

[Dave T.]

Thanks Suskydude... I may try a ZZ Pop and see how similar it fishes.

[Ern]

No.  Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies.  Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer.  They just dont work.   :

[iceintheveins]

No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

[Amateur_Basser]

No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

Sorry if I can not read sarcasm on the interwebs, but this is a joke yes? 

I was planning on trying out a few buzzbaits this weekend on the Shenandoah.