How do you use a Buzzbait?

[HoosierBass07]

  I bought my first decent buzzbait last week.  My first buzzbait was a $1.00 cheap lure at Walmart.  Last week I bought a nice Strike King buzzbait. 

A few days ago I tried it out for the first time.  I cast it from a fishing dock and when it landed in the water it started to sink.  I started reeling it in and I could tell the blade was turning but for 3/4 of the time the whole thing was under water.  The buzzbait only came to the top and made that gurgling sound when it was closer to me.  I was using a spinning reel with ten pound mono. 

So how do I make that buzzbait stay on top of the water and make that gurgling sound the whole time I'm reeling it back in?   

I tried that cheap Walmart buzzbait too.  I'm not sure if it's a buzzbait or not.  It looks like one but the blade shaft is pointed down.  It looks like when you reel it in, it is supposed to dive down in the water.  Strange. 

Anyway, is there a secret to getting a buzzbait to stay on top of the water? 

Thanks!

[Bassinkorea]

Personally I prefer to use a baitcasting setup for buzzbaits. The main reason is I can engage the reel much faster with the baitcaster reel compared to a spinning reel where I would need to take my hand off the reel handle to close the spinning reel arm and then get my hand on the handle. This means I can start the retrieve immediately as the buzzbait hits the water and the bait doesn't have chance to sink.
I also prefer to use a 7.1:1 high speed reel and keep my rod tip up really high (around the 11 o'clock position) especially at the beginning of the retrieve.
Once the bait is on the water surface I can adjust the rod height and reel speed to suit whatever the fish like on that day.

I LOVE buzzbait fishing!!! 

[Oldfart9999]

I use a high speed reel(6.3 to 1 or higher) but can do it with a 5.1, use heavy mono 17 lb test or higher. The mono floats, and the heavier line floats better. Keep your rod tip high and engage the reel just before the buzzbait hits the water. Experiment with different speeds, I've even caught fish just under the surface. A modification that helps to keep the bait upright is to take a pair of needle nose pliers and at the lead head and bend it down 45 degrees then bend so that it Z shaped, it works.
Rodney

[LgMouthGambler]

Great info. High rod tip placement, high speed retrieve.

[Bassinkorea]

I forgot to mention my line of choice.......30~50lb braid

[mygreenihc]

Hoosier,

There is a write-up in tips and tricks about fine tuning your buzzbait.  It would be worth reading if you are unfamiliar with them.  Buzzbait fishing is one of the most enjoyable types of fishing when the fish are hitting it. 

Using a buzzbait is not difficult at all,  you just need to understand a couple of simple things and adjust from there.  First,  understand that a buzzbait should run on top of the water and not below the surface.  So,  simply adjust your speed to bring it to the top and slow it down as slow as you can while keeping it up top. 

Secondly,  a buzzbait,  at least here in the south,  works best running it across the top of grass and/or structure.  So,  if you let it sink when you cast,  you will collect grass or get hung every other cast.  A casting reel works best for buzzbait fishing,  but it can be done with a spinning reel if you are quick enough.  Try to cast and time it to where you start reeling just as or slightly before the bait hits the water in sort of a sweeping motion so that the bait never hits and sinks.  If that makes any sense.

Brad

[earldogg]

Personally I prefer to use a baitcasting setup for buzzbaits. The main reason is I can engage the reel much faster with the baitcaster reel compared to a spinning reel where I would need to take my hand off the reel handle to close the spinning reel arm and then get my hand on the handle. This means I can start the retrieve immediately as the buzzbait hits the water and the bait doesn't have chance to sink.
I also prefer to use a 7.1:1 high speed reel and keep my rod tip up really high (around the 11 o'clock position) especially at the beginning of the retrieve.
Once the bait is on the water surface I can adjust the rod height and reel speed to suit whatever the fish like on that day.

I LOVE buzzbait fishing!!! 

Bingo, I'll even start reeling before it hits the water, this quickly puts it on plane. Once on plane dont be afraid to slow it down alot. Buzzbaits catch big fish so buckle up.gl

[Down4ttown]

Nothing like seeing your buzzbait skimmer across the water and then just disappear. Hell of a fight no matter how big the fish.

[jocko]

Love a buzzbait!  Totally agree with all of the above.

My question is:  Do you all tip the hook with anything or fish them plain?  I like to tip it with a twin tail grub, swimbait, toad, etc. 

[CraigP83]

Love a buzzbait!  Totally agree with all of the above.

My question is:  Do you all tip the hook with anything or fish them plain?  I like to tip it with a twin tail grub, swimbait, toad, etc.

I always throw a trailer hook on mine

[coldfront]

I use a high speed reel(6.3 to 1 or higher) but can do it with a 5.1, use heavy mono 17 lb test or higher. The mono floats, and the heavier line floats better. Keep your rod tip high and engage the reel just before the buzzbait hits the water. Experiment with different speeds, I've even caught fish just under the surface. A modification that helps to keep the bait upright is to take a pair of needle nose pliers and at the lead head and bend it down 45 degrees then bend so that it Z shaped, it works.
Rodney

good instruction.

I once got on a great buzzbait bite that went from about 9am t0 1pm in a nice steady, soft rain.  only problem was I had a 5.1 gear ratio...it worked...I could crank fast enough..but 4 hours later, man were my forearms burning too...that was the day I decided I could see value in higher speed reels.

kind of like when my brothers and I all let home, dad finally saw the wisdom in an air conditioned tractor cab...

[Lee Smith]

I usually fish them slow, real slow, even to the point of being right under the surface.  All my big fish have came from a slow presentation.  I just don't think those big girls will expend the energy needed to catch a fast moving bait, but when it goes by them slow, they will knock it out of the park!!

[earldogg]

I usually fish them slow, real slow, even to the point of being right under the surface.  All my big fish have came from a slow presentation.  I just don't think those big girls will expend the energy needed to catch a fast moving bait, but when it goes by them slow, they will knock it out of the park!!

get them on plane quickly than slow that thing way down, it will make a gurgle sound than BAM! Im a buzzbait freak in the early mornings, cant tell you how many biggins ive caught with that bait. My rig is a st croix av70mhxf with a curado 201e7 loaded with 17lb mono, and i always use a trailor hook. Gl

[Bassinkorea]

Love a buzzbait!  Totally agree with all of the above.

My question is:  Do you all tip the hook with anything or fish them plain?  I like to tip it with a twin tail grub, swimbait, toad, etc.

Mostly, I will fish them just as they are, but on tournament day I will add a trailer hook.

[Oldfart9999]

I always use a trailer hook and I, quite often, make repeated casts to an area or target. A lot of water can be covered with them.
Rodnehy

[njpaul]

Using a baitcasting reel  stop the lure by thumbing the spool, engage the reel while the lure is stopped and still in the air, keep your rod tip high until you are on the suface.

Spinning, stop the lure with you right index finger, before the lure hits the water close the bail with your left hand while raising the rod tip, reel with your rod tip high  until lure is on the surface.

If you start reeling while the lure is moving and hasn't hit the water yet, you will eventually ruin your gears.

[HoosierBass07]

  I'm not sure I will get to use my new buzzbait again this year.  lol.  It snowed a little this evening here in west central Indiana.  And lows getting down to 19.  Might have to wait for March 2014.  lol. 

[Camden]

some great info already posted but i'll add some of my tricks as well. I almost always retrieve parallel or at a 45* angle to the bank, dock or whatever the cover may be.
let the fish tell you how fast to retrieve, reel it in just enough to get it on top of the water and then adjust the speed accordingly.
another tip....remember all those texas rigged worms that always get torn up....I keep the back halves for trailers on my buzzers, helps give just a little larger profile.
and my last trick....shhh if the situation calls for it I can and will use a buzz underwater like a spinnerbait. just barely under the surface, just enough to not really make any noise

[njpaul]

  I'm not sure I will get to use my new buzzbait again this year.  lol.  It snowed a little this evening here in west central Indiana.  And lows getting down to 19.  Might have to wait for March 2014.  lol.

Jim Morton won an Oklahoma BASS Tournament during a snowstorm using a Buzzbait.  If the water is not too cold the fish will bite.