buzz bait bite!!

[tr21]

I went out fishing yesterday afternoon and most of my bites came on a buzz bait but the problem was 85% of my bites there was no hook up b/c the fish were hitting behind it or just hitting the very end of the bait! I have been catching alot of fish on this lake with a buzzbait w/o this problem so I was wondering does the temp. being cooler here lately have a effect on them or what!

My other question is what should I do or use to catch these fish? I know a trailer hook is an option but is there another bait I could try? I used a pop-r with no bites!

[Nixstyx]

Jitterbugs usually work for me when they short strike buzz baits. It gives you the fast action that they're obviously interested in and it's hard to miss those dual treble hooks

[senko_77]

This is gonna sound crazy, but add 2 trailer hooks and speed up your retrieve.  This is a trick that Randall taught me and will kill them in the fall.  

Here is an article that I did with GON magazine about it......

http://www.gon.com/article.php?id=1758&cid=117

[fishfordollars]

Senko77 has a good point. At times I am fishing a buzzbait as a search lure. I know the fish will just swirl at it and are not interested in eating it. When I get them to show themselves I immediately pitch a plastic right in on the swirl and 90% of the time the fish will eat it. Try it.

good luck.

[David P]

TRAILER HOOK.

  My better fish have almost all been hooked on just my trailer hook.

[Mottfia]

and a delayed hookset. try to feel the fish before bowing up on him

Mottfia

[Clark Stewart]

all good advice - the buzzbait is my favorite search lure. It tells me 1) where the fish are; 2) how aggressive they are; and 3) what they're keying on - reaction strike (loud clacking buzz, small gurgle buzz)

Also, as aforementioned, it will tell you pretty accurately what other type of bait they want as many times I will get several blow ups where a trailer hook wouldn't have mattered (2 feet to the side of the lure) and upon throwing the plastic behind it I'll either get bit every time on a senko and never on a creature bait vice versa. AND that tells you what type of action to look for - slow falling lures like a weightless senko or fast dropping lures like a weighted brush hog. Funny thing about bass fishing is you can be as good or lazy a detective as you want to be and both will be right!

[Infidel.]

One other thing is to make sure your rod has some give in it.  I like a 7ft Med with a little give in the tip, not a crank rod, but not a jig/worm rod either.  That is as long as you are not in very heavy cover.  

[crw]

TRAILER HOOK.

My better fish have almost all been hooked on just my trailer hook.

X2

I put trailer hooks on all Buzz/Spinners/Chatter Baits.  Most caught fish are on the trailer and ofter both hooks.  Rarely lose a fish on Buzz/Spinners/Chatter Baits.

Exception, Chain Pickerel often totally miss topwater Buzz/Pop-r/Jitterbug/other baits.

[Catt]

I never use a trailer hooks on buzz baits or spinner baits

When bass are short striking either I'll switch to a bait that has the hook closer to the blade or trim the skirt even with the end of the hook.

Hart's Buzz Throb is an excellent example

[roadwarrior]

I have given away all my old buzzbaits. For me it's the

MegaStrike Cavitron Buzzbait exclusively. No trailer hook

and don't set the hook until you feel the weight of the fish.

I fish them with a 5" GYCB Single Tail Grub attached.

8-)

[tr21]

thanks guys for all the responses! I hope to get out in the next day or so and try em again and i will let yall know of the results!

[flechero]

I never use a trailer hooks on buzz baits

Me either.  And I rarely have trouble with short strikes.  

[iceintheveins]

Trailer hook and a softer, slower action rod. I use a fiberglass or fiberglass mix for all topwaters and cranks.

[Bobby Uhrig]

My rule of thumb is when fishing tournaments always use a trailer hook. One lost fish could be the difference between winning it or getting a slap on the back saying "see ya next tourney". One thing I always always always have is another rod nearby with a followup bait. I have watched bass search for whatever the thought they injured or missed while attacking. They are very competitive when there are more than one bass competing for the bait. I have had bass (especially in tidal water) compete for buzz baits as well as other baits such as crank baits and Pop R type baits. About 7 times in my life I have caught two bass on the same bait. Hmmm that gives me an idea!! CavitronII