Here on Old Hickory, we throw a buzzbait (or Berkley choppo) from early may till late october, from daylight to dark. Either black/gold or white/silver. And they do catch the better bags. It's a tournament winning pattern here for sure.
I have so many buzzbaits and I have made a lot of them also. I am only using the little ones now, but I need to throw them more again. One of my favorites is the 1/8 oz. tri wing.
Randy, I take a 3/8 ounce buzzbait frame, and replace the blade with a half ounce baits blade, that way you have the big blade , but you can really Slow it down, and same with an 1/8th ounce and switching the blade out with the 3/8th Oz. blade
Good video. Thanks, Randy. R. Clunn actually took 2nd place, not 1st, at the Cordell Hull B.A.S.S. tournament in 1976 using the buzzbait, but did win the 1977 B.A.S.S. Champs on Percy Priest using the Lunker Lure buzzbait.
Wow. I haven’t heard a pro mention Cordell Hull in 30-35 years!!!! I live 20 min from Defeated Creek. The lake sure isn’t what it was in the late 70’s, early 80’s, but there’s still a few in there. Stripers and drum mostly.
I make my own buzz bait in 3 sizes (1, 2 and 3 blade). I primarily use a tube or frog for a skirt. The #1, 1/8oz with a tube for a skirt can be cast with a medium bait caster, skips and flutters on a free fall like a Senko. I start fishing it on warm spring days if the water gets into the upper 40’s. Using a plastic (tube is best!) for a skirt makes color selection easier, cast better and the fish get it better.
Randy, Are you fishing your buzz baits right out of the box? They don't look tuned or doctored in any way. The rivets aren't clamped to the wire shaft to increase friction-related squeak. Nor are the rivet flanges bent to alter blade vibration. Instead, the rivet flanges look rounded and not sanded or doctored. And the wire shafts don't appear to be scuffed in the vicinity of the blade. For your larger blades, do you ever upsize your rivet and modify the larger rivet to get even more wobble or squeak? Do you ever clamp a split shot to one side of the blade to get an offset wobble and increased splash into the water like a whopper plopper? For painted blades, do you sand or file the paint off the hinge of the blade where it contacts the rivet to help wear in a squeak? Do you run your baits with a fan or leave them on your car antenna to wear in a squeak?
All good questions, mistertwister. This was a good video and Randy has at least two others that I am anxious to view. Thanks for the tip of adding a split shot to the blade (propeller) ..I will have to try that. Other points that could be addressed, perhaps in a future video are: 1) the degree of cup or bend on the "wings" of the prop. I tend to prefer Lunker Lure props, as they are cupped to around 110 degrees, rather than the "stock" 90 degrees. Sometimes I cup/bend them more, "folding" the wing over a round pen or similar object. You can work the lure a little slower by doing this and it gives it a beautiful plop-shuffle-plop sound. 2) When to use a prop with the upper arm running THROUGH the prop, versus using an offset prop. Offset props, like the ones on the Lunker Lure tend to make the lure track to the anglers right. Bend both wings in the opposite direction, and the lure will track, slightly to the left. Unfortunately you might have to sacrifice a couple of props as you try this. Some people may just try the "standard" method of just bending the top arm left or right to get the buzzbait to track left or right, but this method has not worked for me. 3) Bending down the lower arm, making it submerge more in order to get more hookups. 4) Having the maximum distance possible between the point of the hook and the end of the upper arm. Opening up this distance creates more space for a bass to engulf the hook. You can also cut off part of the upper arm wire to create more space. Most buzzbaits have more than enough upper arm wire to do this. (See the 1/8 oz. buzzbait Randy is holding at 3:12). 5) Making certain a trailer hook is on the same line, or even below that line of the main hook. To do this, bend the eye of the trailer hook up about 30 degrees, or buy some Gamakatsu G-POWER Stinger Trailer hooks. 6) Using a treble or quadruple hook as a trailer, and linking two or more together where legal. 7) Cutting off most of the wires small "L" bend, behind the rivet to prevent the wire from collecting any grass, debris, etc. If you do this, you will have less wire to work with when replacing worn rivets, but it is worth it. 8) Skirt density.
Paint silver aluminum blades white and tune them by driving down the road with the buzz bait out he window spinning. The more worn-out the better. And don't use a trailer but use a trailer hook with chicken feathers tied on it like ya do when hacking a Pop-R tail. And yeah that 1/8 oz is the deal, can't believe you gave that up.
I noticed a lizard fall from an overhanging limb today and I'll be damned if he didn't look just like a buzzbait as he ran/swam frantically on the surface.
It's funny, the things you see on the water like that. I once saw a small bluegill, just swimming slowly in cold, prespawn, stained water. I put my junebug finesse worm, rigged on a Slider head, right beside it in the water and I'm here to tell you, it looked absolutely IDENTICAL to that bream! I realized right then that bass rarely see prey eye-to-eye; most often, all they see is a silhouette of movement, which is exactly what my li'l Slider worm was. Instantly, I knew why that rig was so effective in the prespawn.
Do u think the blades on a spinner bait should be black during the summer? I was wondering since a buzz bait blade works best being black during warmer months....?
One of the best things I ever discovered about buzzbait fishing is a 7' MH fiberglass crankbait rod. You will miss so many FEWER bass with that rod. I have the "nerves of steel" to resist setting the hook on the explosive bites, but that glass rod absolutely puts them in the boat. Also, I still subscribe to Bill Dance's color strategy: white in the spring, black in the fall. It's what works for me. And there's only ONE buzzbait: the half ounce LUNKER LURE. Crimp that rivet twice, horizontally, and go. / / / / / / > ~ 🪨____________ 🪨🪨🪨______
@@shadygraves Right. It's my favorite mainly, because the two wings on the blade are cupped more than other brands, giving it the perfect plop-shuffle-plop sound.
Ive always read to use an all Black around vegetation And in the fall, and chartreuse in the spring. exact opposite of this. But i agree with that 1/8 oz. one!!!!
Catching bass on a buzzbait, reminds me of the fact bass aren't that smart....😂 no living creature on earth has a metal blade on its head...for this reason, is why my opinion fluoro is so overrated....most situations, line has zero effect on a bass's decision...maybe a crystal clear lake, but that's it.. ..with that said, buzzbaits are great baits & fun to use...not intended for anglers with heart issues
Yesirrr thanks randy, been catching biggest fish of the year on black buzzbaits. Preciate ur time
Enjoyed this video very much Randy. Thanks! -
Here on Old Hickory, we throw a buzzbait (or Berkley choppo) from early may till late october, from daylight to dark. Either black/gold or white/silver. And they do catch the better bags. It's a tournament winning pattern here for sure.
Thanks for the buzzbait tips! As a bank angler I sure can't learn anything I can use from the bank from watching livescopers.
Thanks for all the information on fishing buz baits. Its really appreciated!
Caught a 26 lb. Bag once in October on a Manns big buzzer ch/white.
Wow so much great info, thanks Randy for your time.
Thank you for watching man
Buzzbait is a big time weak spot in my shallow game. This video gives me confidence to keep trying. Thanks as alwsys Randy.
Same for me, man. I love throwing a spook. I have one buzzbait and only threw it a few times
Good job
Buzzbaits are a favorite! Thanks for the tips.
Yes black is a champ ! The problem is casting when there’s a lot of wind. Chartreuse buzz bait with a cup ! Thanks Randy, loved this segment !
Randy, great info. Thank you!
I have so many buzzbaits and I have made a lot of them also. I am only using the little ones now, but I need to throw them more again. One of my favorites is the 1/8 oz. tri wing.
More fish on the little one?
thanks
The best bite ever was 5 cast and 4 bass on a Baitbait... I love the top water blowup. Thanks for sharing.
Randy, I take a 3/8 ounce buzzbait frame, and replace the blade with a half ounce baits blade, that way you have the big blade , but you can really Slow it down, and same with an 1/8th ounce and switching the blade out with the 3/8th Oz. blade
Thanks Randy, gonna try it
Good video. Thanks, Randy. R. Clunn actually took 2nd place, not 1st, at the Cordell Hull B.A.S.S. tournament in 1976 using the buzzbait, but did win the 1977 B.A.S.S. Champs on Percy Priest using the Lunker Lure buzzbait.
Wow. I haven’t heard a pro mention Cordell Hull in 30-35 years!!!! I live 20 min from Defeated Creek. The lake sure isn’t what it was in the late 70’s, early 80’s, but there’s still a few in there. Stripers and drum mostly.
Huh....I learn something ever day....thanks sir
Very informative Thank You Randy
Great video! Very informative. Thank you!
I have been catching fish on buzzbaits since they came out with them. Great video!
I make my own buzz bait in 3 sizes (1, 2 and 3 blade). I primarily use a tube or frog for a skirt. The #1, 1/8oz with a tube for a skirt can be cast with a medium bait caster, skips and flutters on a free fall like a Senko. I start fishing it on warm spring days if the water gets into the upper 40’s. Using a plastic (tube is best!) for a skirt makes color selection easier, cast better and the fish get it better.
First one I ever threw was in 1972 73 on toledo bend. My grandpa said it was going to spook bass off ...lol. we crushed em on buzzbaits
Hart tackle was across from my shop. He swore on the toad. I never tried it. He was a super nice guy though.
I love buzz bait fishing
I've been throwing the 1/8 oz buzzbait and I'm catching lots of bass and up to 5 lbs thus far. It works.
When i was a kid there was one called the quadro buzz by harps. I cant find it anymore for sale but it was the best one ive ever used.
Randy, Are you fishing your buzz baits right out of the box? They don't look tuned or doctored in any way. The rivets aren't clamped to the wire shaft to increase friction-related squeak. Nor are the rivet flanges bent to alter blade vibration. Instead, the rivet flanges look rounded and not sanded or doctored. And the wire shafts don't appear to be scuffed in the vicinity of the blade. For your larger blades, do you ever upsize your rivet and modify the larger rivet to get even more wobble or squeak? Do you ever clamp a split shot to one side of the blade to get an offset wobble and increased splash into the water like a whopper plopper? For painted blades, do you sand or file the paint off the hinge of the blade where it contacts the rivet to help wear in a squeak? Do you run your baits with a fan or leave them on your car antenna to wear in a squeak?
IYKYK! 😎👍🏼
All good questions, mistertwister. This was a good video and Randy has at least two others that I am anxious to view. Thanks for the tip of adding a split shot to the blade (propeller) ..I will have to try that. Other points that could be addressed, perhaps in a future video are: 1) the degree of cup or bend on the "wings" of the prop. I tend to prefer Lunker Lure props, as they are cupped to around 110 degrees, rather than the "stock" 90 degrees. Sometimes I cup/bend them more, "folding" the wing over a round pen or similar object. You can work the lure a little slower by doing this and it gives it a beautiful plop-shuffle-plop sound. 2) When to use a prop with the upper arm running THROUGH the prop, versus using an offset prop. Offset props, like the ones on the Lunker Lure tend to make the lure track to the anglers right. Bend both wings in the opposite direction, and the lure will track, slightly to the left. Unfortunately you might have to sacrifice a couple of props as you try this. Some people may just try the "standard" method of just bending the top arm left or right to get the buzzbait to track left or right, but this method has not worked for me. 3) Bending down the lower arm, making it submerge more in order to get more hookups. 4) Having the maximum distance possible between the point of the hook and the end of the upper arm. Opening up this distance creates more space for a bass to engulf the hook. You can also cut off part of the upper arm wire to create more space. Most buzzbaits have more than enough upper arm wire to do this. (See the 1/8 oz. buzzbait Randy is holding at 3:12). 5) Making certain a trailer hook is on the same line, or even below that line of the main hook. To do this, bend the eye of the trailer hook up about 30 degrees, or buy some Gamakatsu G-POWER Stinger Trailer hooks. 6) Using a treble or quadruple hook as a trailer, and linking two or more together where legal. 7) Cutting off most of the wires small "L" bend, behind the rivet to prevent the wire from collecting any grass, debris, etc. If you do this, you will have less wire to work with when replacing worn rivets, but it is worth it. 8) Skirt density.
The 3 tournaments I’ve won first in and big bass prize I won on a buzzbait
I switched from a skirt to a toad or some kind of plastic a few years back. The plastic casts further and I don’t need a trailer hook.
Paint silver aluminum blades white and tune them by driving down the road with the buzz bait out he window spinning. The more worn-out the better. And don't use a trailer but use a trailer hook with chicken feathers tied on it like ya do when hacking a Pop-R tail. And yeah that 1/8 oz is the deal, can't believe you gave that up.
I noticed a lizard fall from an overhanging limb today and I'll be damned if he didn't look just like a buzzbait as he ran/swam frantically on the surface.
It's funny, the things you see on the water like that. I once saw a small bluegill, just swimming slowly in cold, prespawn, stained water. I put my junebug finesse worm, rigged on a Slider head, right beside it in the water and I'm here to tell you, it looked absolutely IDENTICAL to that bream! I realized right then that bass rarely see prey eye-to-eye; most often, all they see is a silhouette of movement, which is exactly what my li'l Slider worm was. Instantly, I knew why that rig was so effective in the prespawn.
Do u think the blades on a spinner bait should be black during the summer? I was wondering since a buzz bait blade works best being black during warmer months....?
One thing I didn't here was hookset,feel it like a worm bite,don't set till you feel the fish, keeps that buzzer from flying back at you.
I need this one bad! Ive got a career 0 bass on the Buzzer lol
Roland Martin says he catches more with them hmmm.
If only my psychiatrist was a fisherman too. :)
One of the best things I ever discovered about buzzbait fishing is a 7' MH fiberglass crankbait rod. You will miss so many FEWER bass with that rod. I have the "nerves of steel" to resist setting the hook on the explosive bites, but that glass rod absolutely puts them in the boat. Also, I still subscribe to Bill Dance's color strategy: white in the spring, black in the fall. It's what works for me. And there's only ONE buzzbait: the half ounce LUNKER LURE. Crimp that rivet twice, horizontally, and go.
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I remember the Lunker Lure.
It's still the best
@@shadygraves Right. It's my favorite mainly, because the two wings on the blade are cupped more than other brands, giving it the perfect plop-shuffle-plop sound.
Ive always read to use an all Black around vegetation And in the fall, and chartreuse in the spring. exact opposite of this. But i agree with that 1/8 oz. one!!!!
Good video, you taught me a lot, need to kill the fly, thank you
Bass can’t see chartreuse.
Catching bass on a buzzbait, reminds me of the fact bass aren't that smart....😂 no living creature on earth has a metal blade on its head...for this reason, is why my opinion fluoro is so overrated....most situations, line has zero effect on a bass's decision...maybe a crystal clear lake, but that's it.. ..with that said, buzzbaits are great baits & fun to use...not intended for anglers with heart issues
I think it matters if your using a fast moving bait or bottom
Bait