Buzz Baits... Do They Work?

[endless]

I use buzz baits on my Curado crankin' real, it's a 5.1 ratio and yeah I reel a little faster but it's not a problem. I have found it's easier with a bait caster though. The reason why I use my buzz bait with my low ratio reel is that I'm usually crawling it, fast enough to make the blades turn on the top. I used to fish them pretty fast until my buddy picked my buzz bait up and started crawling it, he nailed a 5lb in the same spot I had burned through. He went on to catch a lot more fish after that. So I now crawl it when the water is still, if it's raining or windy I'll pick up the speed.

Crawl like on the bottom? Just want to make sure I understand correctly? I never really tried that, I always pick up chatterbait and toss it out. One day might just have to give it a shot.

[Bluebasser86]

Crawl like on the bottom? Just want to make sure I understand correctly? I never really tried that, I always pick up chatterbait and toss it out. One day might just have to give it a shot.

I think he means crawl like reel it as slowly as you can while keeping it on the surface. One of the biggest mistakes I see by people trying to fish a buzzbait is they're usually reeling like they're scared something might catch up to it. I reel mine very slowly and give the rod tip sharp twitches when it comes by likely spots. It seems to trigger a lot of strikes for me.

[TheBassMan79]

I wouldn't say so depending on the gear, rod and reel your using. Believe me I know very little but when coming to buzzbaits I was told you need a pretty fast ratio reel and depending on which spinning reel you got, your ratio might be to slow. Like all my spinning gear is 5.2:1. The reel I'm using for my buzzbait is 6.4:1 or it could just be the wrong spot or wrong bait choice. Are you getting any hits?

What kind of rod or you using? I probably can't tell you if the rod is good for topwater let alone buzzbait but others might.

I'm using a Medium heavy Lews Speed stick Rod with a Lews Reel. Currently I have 8 pound bionic Walleye line on it. Here is a link to the reel I am using. Its the one on the top and the model is a TSS3000........

http://www.lews.com/spinning-reels.htm

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I'm using a Medium heavy Lews Speed stick Rod with a Lews Reel. Currently I have 8 pound bionic Walleye line on it. Here is a link to the reel I am using. Its the one on the top and the model is a TSS3000........

http://www.lews.com/spinning-reels.htm

I don't know a whole lot but if ask me I would think your main problem could be your ratio more than anything, spinning or casting. Your reel ratio is 4.2.I would think just reeling the buzzbait like crazy to keep on top the water could be affecting your concentration or maybe affecting the bait. I could seriously be wrong but I would definitely try and get a faster reel. I'm just going by what I've been told. I wonder if maybe you could try maybe 1/4 size buzzbait with that reel? If that not the size your trying already.

BTW I like the looks of that reel, how do you like it?

[endless]

I think he means crawl like reel it as slowly as you can while keeping it on the surface. One of the biggest mistakes I see by people trying to fish a buzzbait is they're usually reeling like they're scared something might catch up to it. I reel mine very slowly and give the rod tip sharp twitches when it comes by likely spots. It seems to trigger a lot of strikes for me.

That's a mistake I make allot myself. I would reel so fast sometimes where the buzzbait is running on the side. I just calm down and try to relax but your are exactly right.

[7mm-08]

Buzzbaits were my favorite baits for several years and I used black ones and white ones. Dusk, dawn, and overcast days are prime times. Even on the brightest days I would usually keep one on to fish shaded areas. Frogs fill the role that buzzbaits used to occupy for me now but I sure do miss them and plan on getting back into them next year.

[dhami013]

Yeah when I said crawl it, I meant reel it slow. A 4.2.1 ratio isn't going to do very well with a buzz bait.

[TheBassMan79]

I don't know a whole lot but if ask me I would think your main problem could be your ratio more than anything, spinning or casting. Your reel ratio is 4.2.I would think just reeling the buzzbait like crazy to keep on top the water could be affecting your concentration or maybe affecting the bait. I could seriously be wrong but I would definitely try and get a faster reel. I'm just going by what I've been told. I wonder if maybe you could try maybe 1/4 size buzzbait with that reel? If that not the size your trying already.

BTW I like the looks of that reel, how do you like it?

I love it. I actually don't have a problem with having it stay on top of the water, its just the initial timing when it hits the water that I am working on becoming better at.

If you are not paying attention with the open face, you can easily screw up on the timing. But if I focus I usually don't have a problem with it. Its just when you get distracted. For example if someone is talking while you are casting. I would think that a baitcaster would make fishing with buzzbaits easier? Am I correct?

[endless]

I love it. I actually don't have a problem with having it stay on top of the water, its just the initial timing when it hits the water that I am working on becoming better at.

If you are not paying attention with the open face, you can easily screw up on the timing. But if I focus I usually don't have a problem with it. Its just when you get distracted. For example if someone is talking while you are casting. I would think that a baitcaster would make fishing with buzzbaits easier? Am I correct?

Only thing I will say be easier is the fact you don't have to worry about the bail and the difference in handles while fishing especially on the bank if able too maybe cast on land first? But when coming distracted I easily do that even with my casting reels. Heck I even backlash not paying attention Than that's just a mess in itself. I think when your distracted your distracted no matter the gear or what your tossing out. Got to keep the eye on the prize!! lol

I even lose bites when just wacky rigging it cause I'm talking to my brother and not paying attention. I even lose or miss hits fishing by myself just cause I'm looking around the area especially when I'm out frogging. I'm to busy paying attention to my surroundings. I easily get distracted by wildlife.

[dhami013]

Only thing I will say be easier is the fact you don't have to worry about the bail and the difference in handles while fishing especially on the bank if able too maybe cast on land first? But when coming distracted I easily do that even with my casting reels. Heck I even backlash not paying attention Than that's just a mess in itself. I think when your distracted your distracted no matter the gear or what your tossing out. Got to keep the eye on the prize!! lol

I even lose bites when just wacky rigging it cause I'm talking to my brother and not paying attention. I even lose or miss hits fishing by myself just cause I'm looking around the area especially when I'm out frogging. I'm to busy paying attention to my surroundings. I easily get distracted by wildlife.

I get distracted by wildlife especially if the bite is slow, then I will get a bite and miss the fish 'cause I wasn't paying attention.

[endless]

I get distracted by wildlife especially if the bite is slow, then I will get a bite and miss the fish 'cause I wasn't paying attention.

It's so easy to do, lol!!

[Diablos]

My biggest top water fish this year was on a buzzbait that got hit while it was sinking because I was fixing a backlash.

[North Ga Hillbilly]

I've got quite a few fish as one falls. Missed twice as many tho, the hook up ratios at the fall hasnt been too good for me.

NGaHB

[dhami013]

The best buzz bait fish is when you cast it and as soon as it hits the water a big girl swallows it. It's as if she was sitting there with an open mouth saying come on big boy I'll give you a bit of excitement.

[Colton Neal]

Yes they offer 3 out of 4 qualities that attract bass. Including vibration, sound, and can be seen. They excel in shallow dingy water above 60 degrees. They will also work in clear water but downsizing is crucial and a fast speed retrieve is required for the most part so they don't have a good look at the bait. Make sure to bump your buzzbait into things like logs, docks, and rocks to trigger a reaction strike.