Buzzbait Setup?

What's the best rod and reel setup for buzzbaits, length action gear ratio? http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/popcorn.gif

6 to 1 or 7 to 1 baitcaster. 7' or longer rod mh action. 14 lb mono, or if I'm going to be throwing around alot of grass #60 power pro.

What I have...

Daiwa Fuego 6.3:1
St.Croix Avid 6'6" M action
15-17 lb test mono or flouro

Right now I don't have the Avid...just a Rick Clunn 6'6" MH action http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

MH 7 ft. rod, 6 to 1 retrieve reel and 17# PLine CXXX http://xs-s.com/zf/images/smile/emthup.gif

Sometimes I will also use a 5.3 to 1 reel as I have found that a small buzzer with a big blade worked slower can be a pretty sweet fish catcher. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

I have a 7Ft BPS 6:3:1 Shimano w/15Lb Suffix BLUE

Line -- Unlike most other baits, on most retrieves the line attached to a buzzbait isn't in the water. For that reason, use the stoutest line that you think you'll need to pull your bait (preferably with a seven-pound bass attached) from the thickest stuff you'll encounter. For me, that's generally 50# PowerPro.

Rod -- I prefer a 7-foot medium power, slow action casting rod for buzzbaits. Considering my height (5'8") and arm length, 6- or 6.5-foot rods are better fits for me in general; however, I find that the longer length enables me to more easily control the bait as it touches the water. I thumb the spool, engage the gears, and by lifting the rod tip, keep the buzzbait on the surface as it changes direction and starts sputtering back to me. My preference: All Pro Rods' Medium Casting Cork Handle APX7MCA.

Reel -- Buzzbaits don't win many prizes for their aerodynamics, and since they work best when retreived with the wind (so vegetation leans toward you in and on the water), you'll find yourself casting into the wind often. That demands a well-educated thumb, preferably with a snarl-proof reel. A 5.1:1 ratio reel works fine for buzzbaits since (1) it is generally retrieved slowly, and (2) you're more likely to catch a 5-pound-plus bass on a buzzbait than with most other lures you toss. The lower gear ratio makes winching in a big bass burrowing through the slop much easier. However, when a bass sucks down a buzzbait and I feel its weight, I want a 6.0:1 ratio reel clamped on so I can snatch the bass out of cover (another reason that 7-foot rod comes in handy) and water-ski it across the weedy surface. My favorite all-time casting reel: the Ardent XS Casting Reel. This, too, is an American-made product, and it is the farthest-casting, most backlash-resistent, smoothest operating baitcaster I have ever used.

Joe
Secret Weapon Lures
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Guess I'm different from the rest of the pack... I use spinning gear. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

6'6" MH BPS XPS rod
Pflueger President spinning reel (5.1:1)
12lb. Berkley Sensation

Buzzbaits are my absolute favorite lures to fish, and I always have one tied on, even in the winter. I've used the above combo for over two seasons, and have caught a LOT of bass on it. Two of them were over 7 lbs.

I prefer the spinning outfit because I can IMMEDIATELY get the bait coming towards me, and I don't have to worry about my thumb messing anything up. I fish 'em slow, so the 5.1:1 is perfect for that, and you can really haul on 'em outta the weeds with that reel and a big stick. It's a ton easier to get a long cast into the wind with the spinning gear, too.

Here's another thing I do different: I never use braid, or any line heavier than 12lb. When that fish clomps on, I want him to pull that line a little bit (stretch it), in effect hooking himself. I still set the hook, but 99% of the time if you give him a 2-count before swingin on him he's hooked himself. The one time I tried braid my hook-up numbers went WAY down. I've never lost a buzzbait fish because of a broken line.

I'm not saying this is the best way, it's just my way. I worked a long time on my technique (cause I LOVE to catch 'em on top), and this so far is the best sytem I've found.


-J

I have several set ups I like:

For heavy cover i.e. milfoil, hydrilla, laydowns....

6'6" mh LTA with a 6:1 Zillion for a slower retrieve and power

For open water fishing above hydrilla or stump flats:
7' mh LTA with a 7:3:1 Zillion for a fast retrieve or less work from my hands.

I used to like 5:8:1 reels, but found that when I was wanting to work the bait a little faster it sucked.... Plus I have yet to find a bass that required so much butt to get him out of cover. If I was out west or in Fl. I might change my mind back to the 5:1, but for Maryland fish averaging 3-4lbs..... 6:3:1 is just fine.

Mine is the same for 5/8 oz + spinnerbaits with large blades, a Loomis extra fast medium heavy power 6'9" light-weight (high modulus graphite) baitcasting rig with a 7:1 Shimano Curado lefty with 12# drag, spooled with 20# Zo-Zuri Hybrid line.

I don't like a rod with flexibility that makes the buzzbait or spinnerbait feel like a bass is already on the line. I want high accuracy, easy reeling, and speed to return the bait once it's passed through the suspected strike zone (where I cast it to). I want fast line pickup to make sure a buzzbait is buzzing on the surface before getting wet.

Around matted hydrilla where the strike zone is extended sometimes to the whole length of a retrieve I use a 7'6" X-heavy flipping stick and 35# Power Pro braid on an old Abu Garcia 5000 round reel. There I want the line kept out of the water as much as possible, rod held high, line tight, to prevent it from getting wound around in the stems. If 1 oz jigs don't work there I'll try the spinners dropped into pockets and ripped fast.

A heavy rod allows yanking bass carrying 5# of moss out of the slop. Any lure with a single large diameter hook needs a rod with backbone, very little play (action), tough line, the right knot, and tough hooksetting ability.

Jim

I treat my buzzbait rod like a spinnerbait rod. 6'6"MH rod with a 6:1 retrieve ratio. I also have either 15# or 20# big game on the reel. I dont remember which. I know I wont break a fish off with it setting the hook, that's for sure.

chad

My 2 cents...

I'll stay out of brand specifics. I prefer a longer rod, at least a 6'6", but preferably a 7', and I like a fairly stout rod, usually a MH. This aids in setting the hook at long distances and also helps when "steering" the buzzbait around cover. As for a reel, I prefer something in a 6:2:1. There are days when they want that thing running so slowly, and you can still slow down with this setup. Also, sometimes they want it burned, and you can speed up with that setup. A 5:1 or 7:1 will make it hard to compensate on the speed changes.

If this is a dedicated setup then heavy, low-stretch line is what I prefer. I have had trouble setting the hook whenever I use mono and a medium action rod whenever a fish hits as soon as the lure hits the water.