Northwest Fishing Reports

Howdy y'all,tardo has another bass question.
I picked up a few buzzbaits at sportco today. I've used buzzbaits in the past but on a limited
basis. Does anyone ever rig a trailer on these things? Or just pull it out of the package and burn
it over the water? Just not sure if I should rig a little something extra or shut my mouth and stop
over analyzing everything.

ALWAYS a trailer hook. I've caught most buzzbait fish on the trailer hook. A plastic worm/grub/whatever trailer can be good, but I've never used any.

Hey Kevin,

There is nothing wrong with analyzing and trying to make improvements to a lure. I rarely throw any lure out of the package without some type of customization to improve the action, add to the realism and visual appeal, increase hook up ratio, etc. Like with other lures, catching fish consistently on buzzbaits requires learning the nuances of the technique, the situations in which a certain style of buzzbait excels, the right retrieve to trigger strikes on a given day and so forth.

Don't get in the mentality of just casting out and burning it in. Often the best retrieve for big fish is SLOW rolling the buzzbait so it barely stays on the surface with occasionally speeding up for a few turns in strategic places throughout your retrieve. Also, casting accuracy is usually imperative to make the best possible presentations, achieve optimum angles and for deflecting your lure off of cover whenever possible to trigger reaction strikes.

To answer your question regarding a trailer, I will occasionally use a soft plastic trailer on a buzzbait (saltwater grub, soft plastic swimbait, creature bait, frog or lizard) for added bulk and a larger profile if I am after a huge bite or in extremely off colored water. However, I like to use a trailer hook the majority of the time and there are only a couple styles of trailers that don't seem to interfere with the trailer hook. For example, a split tail trailer or fluke, something without a curly tail or appendages.

Great big fish lure. Good luck!

It always seemed that bass were short striking my buzz baits, so I added a trailing hook. Last week I caught 8 bass on a buzz bait and only one needed the trailer. Of course I am happy I had the trailer or I would have missed that fish and the trailer did not seem to prevent the other bass from hitting the main hook.

Trailer hook as others stated. One thing I like to do, is on the way to the lake hold it out the side window and let them get a little break in.
I do this on all my new buzzbaits, I read it somewhere.

I use the various styles of Double~Blade~BuzzBaits that are out there,..I always use a Trailer Hook and when I put it on I trim the Skirt just a bit below the Trailer Hook 2 try and eliminate the short strikes,..also on some I may drill small holes in the blades 2 add more bubbles/sound 2 the bait,..some I have customized more and added a Kermit/Rat for a bigger profile and casting distance.

BB

Thanks for all the replies,I really appreciate it.

Tag-Seriously bro',you need to write a book. I can't even count the times that you have
help me and others out. Its great that a bass novice like myself,can get pretty solid tips.
I also gotta give Dez some props for the info provided in the past,along with countless others
that I'm forgetting at the moment.

The plan was to head out this morning but had to bail,my son and I will be out tomorrow
giving them hell and the Mrs. will join us a bit later in the day.

Again,I really appreciate all the help that everyone has provided.
Thanks again
Kevin

Don`t forget about yourself there KB you have given me plenty of tips and advice over the last six or so months.

Have a blast Kev and catch a PIG!

BB

BassinBomber wrote:Have a blast Kev and catch a PIG!

BB

Two thumbs up on that!!!

if you know you're going to be fishing open water with no surface weeds (rocky banks, rip rap, etc), try putting a #4 red treble hook on as a trailer hook. You'll hardly ever miss a fish. I've even foul hooked a couple that slapped at my bait.

rjn cajun wrote:Don`t forget about yourself there KB you have given me plenty of tips and advice over the last six or so months.

Was I hitting the bottle again? I have my moments but the sad thing is overall I pretty much suck at
bass fishing.I just happen to know a few lakes well and a whole lot of dumb luck.

Nik wrote:if you know you're going to be fishing open water with no surface weeds (rocky banks, rip rap, etc), try putting a #4 red treble hook on as a trailer hook. You'll hardly ever miss a fish. I've even foul hooked a couple that slapped at my bait.

I will certainly give it a try,thanks for the info.
We'll be heading out this morning and the rest of the weekend. I'm not expecting to catch a beast...but certainly
hoping.Eitherway,I can't complain...the main goal is out on the water with family/friends.
Thanks again everyone

Just wanted to thank you folks again for the replies. Been doing fairly well with buzzbaits.
No hawgs as of yet but still decent fish. Will be back on the bass hunt in a few days.

Thanks again