Buzzbaits on the river ? 2024

kyron4 reply :

Do buzzbaits work well for smallies in a river where average depth is 2-3 feet ? If so any time of day better than other ? Any tips to pass on ? In fast current or slacker water only ?

-Thanks

nashontheriver reply :

i recently started using a buzzbait on the river. it gets a lot of strikes from the smaller rock bass. no smallies on it though. i've been using a black mini buzz, maybe a bigger one would entice smallies. are you fishing white river? nightime gets the most strikes, but its harder too see obstructions in the water.

Crestliner2008 reply :

I have caught them on buzz baits, but it's not high percentage bait for me. Try "bulging" the surface instead with a spinnerbait.

SuskyDude reply :

Not a big buzzbait fan, poppers do it for me. I know plenty of guys like the buzzbait for the river though.

Topwater during the low water periods of summer is fantastic. Shallow water is the key, so 2-3 feet avg is good. I target push water, riffles, chutes, as well as shallow flats with smooth moving laminar flow.

In my experience time of day doesn't matter much. When the water is low and warm, and the sun is high and blazin, I kill it in the riffles.

kyron4 reply :

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. are you fishing white river? .

The Wabash River

riverfisher reply :

Heck yeah they work well!

NateFollmer reply :

Small Black Buzzbaits right after the sun goes down work GREAT for smallies on the Juniata, maybe they will produce for you also. They do seem to like the poppers better though, but I usually throw everything in my top water arsenal in 1 evening haha. Nothing beats a black or clear tiny torpedo!

smashingsmallies reply :

Suskydude-are you talking the small poppers like 1" or the bigger plug types? Does anyone throw those small poppers and how do you cast such a light bait?

lightsout reply :

A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

SuskyDude reply :

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A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

SuskyDude reply :

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Suskydude-are you talking the small poppers like 1" or the bigger plug types? Does anyone throw those small poppers and how do you cast such a light bait?

I'm talking about plugs.

The tiny poppers that I think your speaking of are for fly rods.

singingdog reply :

I find buzzbaits an "all or nothing" lure: they are either hitting them like crazy, or not at all. The good thing is that you find out pretty quick if the buzzbait bite is on, especially in water that shallow.

Time of day? Again, if the buzzbait bite is on, it doesn't matter. If you are getting skunked sometime, in bluebird skies and high noon, try the buzzbait!

lightsout reply :

Quote

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A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

I disagree dude. A buzzer is much more usuable on a variety of situations on the river than a popper.

For example when I float the fall line on the James here in Richmond, I repeatedly encounter sections 30' downstream from each other that either a popper CAN be fished or CANNOT (within reason). A buzzbait can be left on for the duration of the float and is fishable everywhere (low class rapids current, grass, eddies, riffles, canals, over logs, etc).

If you also consider the how much more weedless a buzzer is over a popper with those trebles hanging down I think its safe to say it's alot more versatle.

As for the speed factor yes theres days where they will prefer something slower on top, but it's rare. A river smallie is not exactly shy at chasing down fast prey.

SuskyDude reply :

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Quote

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A buzzbait is of the greatest river smallie baits in existence, ESPECIALLY in shalliow water like that. The problem with poppers are they arent as effective in faster current. the buzzbait is much more versatle.

Well I gotta disagree. The buzzbait is much LESS versatile, its only got two speeds: fast enough to buzz, or slow enough to sink. While poppers are certainley more difficult to use in fast water, I find if you start with the right design of popper and you make things much easier on your self.

For example, the classic Pop-R is crap in fast water. The cup is way to deep and it grabs too much water.

But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

I won't lie, it's work on your wrists. I work the lure at about two pops per second. But belive me, its worth it.

I disagree dude. A buzzer is much more usuable on a variety of situations on the river than a popper.

For example when I float the fall line on the James here in Richmond, I repeatedly encounter sections 30' downstream from each other that either a popper CAN be fished or CANNOT (within reason). A buzzbait can be left on for the duration of the float and is fishable everywhere (low class rapids current, grass, eddies, riffles, canals, over logs, etc).

If you also consider the how much more weedless a buzzer is over a popper with those trebles hanging down I think its safe to say it's alot more versatle.

As for the speed factor yes theres days where they will prefer something slower on top, but it's rare. A river smallie is not exactly shy at chasing down fast prey.

I've never met a riffle I couldn't pop.

But your right about the treble/ single hook comparison...dude.

I still think the popper is more versatile.

You can deadstick it, work it slow, work it fast (almost buzzbait speed if you do your homework), make different sounds/splashes depending on how you work it, and change the cadence. When a fish misses, you can pause and wait...can't do that with a buzzbait.

Hey whatever blows your 'fro back. I'm by no means knocking the bb, merely giving my opinion.

BassThumb reply :

An 1/8 oz buzzbait is my favorite river smallie lure.

Dave T. reply :

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But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who still uses a Yo-Zuri Pop'n Splash. I only have two left, and the one has been beat to death. LOL

Suskydude,

Where have you been able to find them... except for the occasional straggler on Ebay?

iceintheveins reply :

Buzzbaits are killer for me in Colorado's Yampa River, ESPECIALLY for the big smallies of 3 pounds or over. I catch a lot of 1 - 2 pounders and some smaller on them too though. Low light periods or cloudy weather are best but they will hit them all day sometimes. They are great for cover long expanses of slack water, especially shallower. I love buzzbaits on the Yampa because the river's big ol' pike love them too. Have caught 40" pike and a 5 pound smallie in the same day before. I throw them out and bring them straight up against the current, as slooooow as can be.

iceintheveins reply :

Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

SuskyDude reply :

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Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

Popepers in fast water, I'm telling you, get outside the box.

SuskyDude reply :

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But a Yo-Zuri pop n splash, which has a shallow cup and a recessed bottom lip, will fish very easy in fast water. It spits, sprays and walks effortless across the most choppy, fast riffles.

Wow, I thought I was the only one who still uses a Yo-Zuri Pop'n Splash. I only have two left, and the one has been beat to death. LOL

Suskydude,

Where have you been able to find them... except for the occasional straggler on Ebay?

Got them from ebay- I have about 6-7 of the original size and 3-4 of the magnums.

The ZZ POP by yo zuri is pretty much the same lure, at least in it;s action. I was buying them from Wal Mart but now they are becoming hard to find

iceintheveins reply :

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Poppers are best in very slow current, but I still do better on buzzbaits in these areas. Prop baits are also better than poppers. In most lake situations poppers draw more strikes for me for smallies than other topwaters, though walkers, buzzers and props still will score.

Popepers in fast water, I'm telling you, get outside the box.

I will remember that when I come to fish the susky within a year or two. Ever tried skitterpops there?

Dave T. reply :

Thanks Suskydude... I may try a ZZ Pop and see how similar it fishes.

Ern reply :

No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

iceintheveins reply :

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No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

Amateur_Basser reply :

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No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

Sorry if I can not read sarcasm on the interwebs, but this is a joke yes?

I was planning on trying out a few buzzbaits this weekend on the Shenandoah.

smashingsmallies reply :

For those who throw the buzz bait, can you tell me exactly how you fish it. Slow water, fast water, the rapid area, shallow 1-2' or deep. Is it always upstream, cross stream, down stream?

For those who throw the poppers-same thing, up, down, cross etc...?

I figured the smaller poppers were for fly rods suskydude, but I figured you might have stumbled on something so I had to ask. Fish on. John.

new2BC4bass reply :

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No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

Sorry if I can not read sarcasm on the interwebs, but this is a joke yes?

I was planning on trying out a few buzzbaits this weekend on the Shenandoah.

I believe they are tongue-in-cheek comments of the first order. ;D They don't want you to try buzzbaits cuz they work so good. Leaves more bass for them. :D ;D ;D

nashontheriver reply :

i have started using some buzz baits on the river. yesterday evening they were really going after it. Adding a trailer hook makes for more hookups. The downside of the trailer hook is that smaller fish get it hooked farther back and its harder to get out.

maineman reply :

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Not a big buzzbait fan, poppers do it for me. I know plenty of guys like the buzzbait for the river though.
Topwater during the low water periods of summer is fantastic. Shallow water is the key, so 2-3 feet avg is good. I target push water, riffles, chutes, as well as shallow flats with smooth moving laminar flow.

In my experience time of day doesn't matter much. When the water is low and warm, and the sun is high and blazin, I kill it in the riffles.

I give my vote to this one!

iceintheveins reply :

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No. Buzzbaits dont work for river smallies. Especially 1/8 oz black at about dusk dark in the hottest part of the summer. They just dont work. :

Couldn't have said it better myself, they really, really suck! ;D

Sorry if I can not read sarcasm on the interwebs, but this is a joke yes?

I was planning on trying out a few buzzbaits this weekend on the Shenandoah.

I believe they are tongue-in-cheek comments of the first order. ;D They don't want you to try buzzbaits cuz they work so good. Leaves more bass for them. :D ;D ;D

Exactly.

smashingsmallies reply :

Upstream, downstream, cross stream? A little help?

Ern reply :

Not that hard.

Answer: Tie on buzzbait. Use trailer hook. Throw. Reel fast enough to make bait stay on top.

Not being smart here. This just is NOT rocket science. You will not catch fish on a lure in the tackle box.

Let you in on another trick: The fast sections where you can just cast down stream and just hold the bait in place on top are awsome after dark in hot weather.

smashingsmallies reply :

Not takin' ya smart in your answer-I use the rocket science statement alot ;D I was just wonderin' if up or down was best--I like the tip about staying in the fast current, thanks. I haven't used topwater hardly at all on the creeks and rivers and I just wanted to make sure I was fishing it right. I haven't been out in two weeks 'cuz I screwed my elbow up in the kayak--HOWEVER...I'm goin' out with a fellow member on this site on Sunday-gonna hit the Big Darby and hopefully slay the smallies. Thanks again for the help. Fish on. John.

iceintheveins reply :

I generally fish them across the river or bring them upsteam against the current. The current will push the buzzbait to the surface and keep it there, allowing for a very slow retrieve.

Ern reply :

John, try that same thing with the current and jitterbugs. I love a buzzbait over the grass mats in summer. Remember. You are fishing for quality not quantity. I leave the spinning gear in the truck and grab my baitcaster spooled with at least 10lb mono. It is currently spooled with 40lb Power Pro.

smashingsmallies reply :

Hey Ern, I was curious about the jitterbug--one of my absolute favorites on a lake--I even use the bigger muskie size jitterbugs and the bass I got on it were always nice bass. I was wondering if it would produce in a river/creek. Bigger better, or smaller? Good god I'm pumped to go tomorrow! Thanks for your help too iceintheveins, greatly appreciated.

And one more question for the popper throwers in creeks/rivers...do you work it fast or pop, sit etc...? Fish on, John.

Ern reply :

I got introduced to jitterbuggin many years back by a couple of guys that were fishing the larger ones on heavy spinning gear spooled with 15-20 lb mono. I laughed at the tackle as I thought smallmouth fishing in streams was a ultralight tackle game. There result proved me wrong.

dabskie reply :

To Buzz or not to Buzz That is the Question,,lol,,,going to have to give it a try,,,,BUT,,,,,In the May issue of Bassmasters,,,there is an article about using Buzz Frogs for River Smallies,,,Has anyone tried it yet,,,or has it been a secret,,,I tried it early last month without sucess but they wern't hitting anything else either,,,going to give it another try next week. How about it,,,anybody out there feeling froggy,,,,,,

Ern reply :

Yep.

smashingsmallies reply :

When working the buzzbait, there is alot of constant commotion of the bait on the surface...is the popper worked the same way, or slower, pop, twitch--again, small rivers and creeks? Thanks, John.

Eternal Angler reply :

They'll work, especially if there's a lot of fish flies and other insects hanging on top of the water. I just wouldn't go too big, get a small sized one.

smashingsmallies reply :

I've got a question I hope you all can help me out with here. I've got 3 kinds of buzzbaits and every time I tie one on and retrieve it, the bait works to the side instead of a straightline back to me. I've bent the wires and tried to get it to straighten out, with the exception to the titanium wire, which can't really be bent without it snapping back into place. I've also varied my retrieve, super fast to super slow and I still get a crooked return. Because of this, I don't feel comfortable with it being a natural look and it's frustrating. ANY IDEAS OR TIPS WOULD RELIEVE THE STRESS I FEEL ABOUT THIS. I'm sure it's an easy fix, but I'm apparently a little slow. Fish on, John.

noursnagged reply :

Actually you can use the side running ones to you're advantage. Try paralleling them to shorelines. I have had the same issues, once you catch a few fish on them they tend to run diff. nothing you can do but adapt their use.

BigMouthBasstard reply :

double bladed white/chart got a 19.5 in. smallie just under 4lbs. not a high percentage bait for me tho. its just not in the strike zone long enough. i like the poppin frogs better. good luck.

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