As summer rolls along and water temperatures rise, most bass anglers hit the water in search of always-thrilling topwater strikes. One great topwater bait used to target aggressive summer bass is the buzzbait.
Buzzbaits are topwater lures that create a buzzing sound and surface disturbance, mimicking a distressed prey as they are retrieved around shallow cover and along breaklines.
To help optimize your time on the water, we've compiled several tips that will increase your success throwing buzzbaits for hungry summertime bass.
Choose the Right Buzzbait:
Selecting the appropriate buzzbait for the water body you'll be fishing is key. Opt for buzzbaits with larger blades and heavier bodies when fishing windy or choppy water to enhance their visibility and create more noise. In calmer conditions, opt for smaller blades and lighter baits creating a more subtle presentation and draw out finicky bass.
Time it Right:
Timing is everything when it comes to fishing, especially with buzzbaits. During early mornings, late evenings, nights and overcast days, the water is often cooler, thereby triggering prime feeding times for bass. Bass tend to be more active near the surface during low light periods, making the buzzbait an ideal lure to grab their attention and trigger aggressive strikes.
Focus on Vegetation and Other Shallow Cover:
Bass often seek refuge in dense vegetation, docks, and laydowns during the hot summer months. Target areas with lily pads, submerged grass, wood, and other forms of shallow cover that provide shade and ambush points for bass to hide. Cast your buzzbait along the edges of cover or retrieve it over the top to entice explosive strikes.
Vary Your Retrieve Speed & Action:
Experimenting with the retrieve speed is essential to trigger bass into striking. Start with a slow, steady retrieve, allowing the buzzbait to create a consistent buzzing sound. If that doesn't yield results, try speeding up your retrieve to create more commotion on the surface. Sometimes, pausing the retrieve momentarily or imparting a twitch can simulate wounded prey, enticing nearby bass to strike.
Customize Your Buzzbait:
To increase your chances of enticing bass strikes, consider modifying your buzzbait. One popular customization is replacing the standard skirt with a soft plastic trailer, such as a paddle tail swimbait, curly tail grub or toad-style frog. This alteration adds extra action and increases the bait's profile, often making it a more enticing target for bass.
Pay Attention to Color:
The color of your buzzbait can make a difference in attracting bass. Opt for natural colors such as black, white, green pumpkin, or a combination of these, as they imitate common prey species like shad or bluegill in clear water. If the water is stained, consider using brighter colors like chartreuse or Texas red to improve visibility.
The folks from Sportsman's Oufitters created a great video describing several more tips to enhance your buzzbait fishing game. Take a few minutes to watch and hear what the say...
