Buzzbait Modifications to Catch More Bass

Buzzbaits are a great topwater bait for catching bass, but there are a few simple modifications you can make to your buzzbait to increase your hook-up percentage.

1. Change the blade size and composition

The size and material of the blade on your buzzbait can have a big impact on the sound it makes and how it attracts bass. A smaller blade will make a higher-pitched sound, while a larger blade will make a lower-pitched sound. Some anglers prefer to use a metal blade, while others prefer to use a plastic blade. Experiment with different blade sizes and materials to see what works best in your area.

2. Change the color of the blade

The color of the blade on your buzzbait can also affect its effectiveness. In clear water, try using a white or silver blade. In stained or muddy water, try using a black or chartreuse blade.

3. Add a trailer

Adding a trailer to your buzzbait can help to increase its action and make it more appealing to bass. A soft plastic trailer, such as a grub, jerkbait or shad, can be a great option.

4. Change the retrieve speed

The retrieve speed you use with your buzzbait will also affect its effectiveness. A slower retrieve will produce a more subtle action, while a faster retrieve will produce a more aggressive action. Experiment with different retrieve speeds to find what works best in the conditions you're fishing in.

Bass pro and buzzbait ace Brandon Cobb has a few more tweaks to help trigger and hook bass when fishing your favorite buzzbait. 

Take a few minutes and watch to see what I mean...

Tips for Fishing Submerged Grass

Fishing submerged grass for bass can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. Grass provides ample cover and a rich food source for bass, making it an ideal location to target them.

Fishing in submerged grass can be a bit tricky however, so here are several tips to help you catch more bass while fishing in submerged grass:

Use the right gear: 

When fishing submerged grass, you'll need to use gear that can handle the thick vegetation. A heavy action rod with a matching fast-action reel are good choices when fishing in grass beds. You'll also want to use braided line, as it will help you to get your lure through the grass with less snags. If fishing the edges of grass beds, a medium heavy action and fluorocarbon line is often a better choice, especially when fishing lakes with clear water.

Choose the right lure:

There are a variety of lures that you can use to fish submerged grass, but some of the most effective include:

• Plastic worms, creature baits, craws and swimbaits
• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits
• Swim and grass jigs
• Topwater baits (frogs, toads, buzzbaits, etc.)

Locate the grass:

Locate submerged grass beds by scanning the surface of the water for any signs of vegetation, such as patches of green or brown water, or by using a fishfinder. Once you have identified the location of the grass, make sure to take note of its density, depth, and the type of vegetation present. This information will help you determine the best baits and techniques to use when fishing the edges and open areas in the beds.

Find the right type of grass:

Not all submerged grass is created equal. Bass prefer to hide in thick, weedy areas where they can ambush prey. Look for areas with different types of grass, including hydrilla, milfoil, cabbage, sand grass and coontail that may hold forage and bass on the lake you’re fishing.

Work the entire water column around the grass bed:

Bass can be found at all levels of the water column in and around submerged grass beds. Experiment with a variety of lures that cover the water column from top to bottom and let the bass tell you what baits they will react to at that moment.

Bass pro Bob Downey hails from an area where grass lakes abound. Take a moment and listen as Downey explains his approach anytime he is fishing grass for bass…

Details of Crankbait Tuning

Crankbaits are a popular type of fishing lure that can be used to catch a variety of fish, including bass, walleye, and pike.

One problem with crankbaits however is that they can be finicky and may not track straight out of the box. If your crankbait is not tracking straight, it can be difficult to fish effectively and you may not be getting as many bites as you could.

Fortunately, it is relatively easy to tune a crankbait to track straight.

All you need is a pair of needle-nose pliers and a few minutes of your time as Lurenet's Frank Scalish explains in the following video...

Wow, line tie position matters! I never realized that I might not have been tuning my crankbaits to maximize their performance for all these years.

How about you?

Fishing Shade

Bass are ambush predators, and they love to hide in shade. This is especially true during the hot summer months, when the water temperature can get too warm for them to be comfortable in open water. 

When you're fishing for bass, it's important to look for areas of shade, such as:

• Overhanging trees, laydowns and stumps
• Docks and boat houses
• Seawalls and rip-rap structures
• Weed lines
• Grass beds

Once you've found some areas of shade, you need to decide what type of bait to use. There are a number of different baits that can be effective for fishing shade, but some of the most popular include:

• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits
• Chatterbaits
• Jigs
• Frogs
• Texas rigs

The type of bait you choose will depend on the specific conditions, but it's important to use something that will create a lot of commotion in the water or matches the forage hanging around the shaded cover you're fishing.

Though many anglers target shady banks, bass pro Matt Stefan shares a different approach in this video detailing his approach to fishing shade and shade lined banks...

A Forgotten Bass Bait?

When it comes to bass fishing, there are countless lures and baits on the market that anglers can choose from. However, one bait that seems to be often overlooked by many is the soft plastic lizard. 

Despite being an effective and versatile bait, it seems to have fallen out of favor with many anglers. 

The question is, why?

First, it's important to understand what makes the soft plastic lizard such a great bait for bass. Its lifelike appearance and movement mimic a real salamander, which is a natural prey item for bass. Additionally, its elongated shape allows it to mimic a variety of other creatures, such as snakes, worms, and even eels. The soft plastic material allows for a realistic feel and texture in the water, which can entice even the most finicky bass.

So why has this bait fallen out of favor? 

One reason may be that it's not as flashy or trendy as some of the newer soft plastic creature baits recently introduced to the market. Many anglers are drawn to the latest and greatest baits, which often feature bright colors, unique shapes, and eye-catching designs. The soft plastic lizard, on the other hand, is a more understated bait that doesn't necessarily stand out on the tackle store shelves.

Another reason may be that many anglers simply don't know how to fish with a soft plastic lizard. It can take some trial and error to figure out the best way to rig and fish this bait and many anglers may not be willing to invest the time required to master it. Additionally, it's also a bait that is considered a pre to post spawn bait by many anglers even though it catches bass through out year.

But just don't take our word on it since it seems Frank Scalish of Lurenet feels the same way as he describes in this video detailing why he believes the lizard should still be in your bassin' arsenal...

Despite these challenges, the soft plastic lizard remains a highly effective bass bait that should not be overlooked. If you're looking for a versatile bait that can mimic a variety of creatures and entice even the most stubborn bass, consider giving the soft plastic lizard a try.