Summer Night Buzzbait Patterns & Techniques
Buzzbaits allow you to cover water and elicit strikes from big grumpy shallow water dwellers. An excellent option for night fishing, the buzzbait is relatively snag proof and produces heart-stopping strikes from some of the biggest bass in your waters. Try using the largest and slowest moving buzzbait you can when fishing after dark. A double-prop buzzbait can be a great option. During the daytime bass will be hunkered down on specific isolated structure, but at night they will roam, so you can fish the buzzbait in open water areas all over the lake.
Rods:
Most anglers prefer a longer rod with a full handle for buzzbaits, as the extra length helps with making long and accurate casts. A rod in the 7’6” range with a Medium Heavy or Heavy action, Moderate bend, and Fast to Extra Fast tip will cover most situations, but after dark can be advantageous to upsize your tackle. For night fishing, use a rod that is at least 7’6” in length and consider varying the power based on the cover in the areas you are fishing or the weight of your buzzbait. If you are throwing a double-buzz with a bulky trailer or if you are fishing around heavy cover, you’ll need a rod with more backbone.
Reels:
A high-speed gear ratio is essential for buzzbait fishing. To get the proper lift and engage the blades at the end of a long cast use a casting reel in the 8:1 – 9:1 gear ratio range so you can cover water with efficiency. Some anglers may prefer a slower gear ratio for night fishing (7:1), but typically more situations will arise where it’s better to have the increased speed, as you can always slow down your retrieve when applicable. Try using a 200-size casting reel so you have plenty of line capacity, especially if you intend on using a heavier line.
Line:
Braided fishing line is the choice for nighttime buzzbaits. With no stretch, very little memory and smaller diameters, you can make long casts and fish around all types cover. Having no-stretch fishing line allows you to drive home a large buzzbait jig hook and get quality hook penetration from a distance. Under normal circumstances, 40-50lb braid provides a good starting point for daytime fishing, but at night consider up-sizing your line so you have the power to pop a snag free and have the added power to fish around heavy cover.
Modifications & Rigging:
Using a soft plastic trailer on a buzzbait is almost always a good idea. Trailers provide added weight for casting, help the buzzbait stay up on the surface, and provide additional action. Toads and swimbaits are great year-round, but after dark try using a bulkier trailer like a lizard or brush hog so the fish have a bigger target to key on without light. It’s not a hard and fast rule though. If the fish are aggressive you don’t always need to use a trailer, and there are times when removing it completely helps the buzzbait move quickly without washing out.
Tips & Tricks:
Trailer hooks help limit the number of missed opportunities and are a great addition to any buzzbait. A trailer hook with a hard plastic sleeve is best when you are using a soft plastic trailer because the hook stays in a fixed position and won’t impede the action of the trailer. If you are running your buzzbait without a trailer, a free-swinging trailer hook or a stinger treble hook can also be a deadly option if the fish are short-biting or just slashing the bait. When fishing near cover at night pay close attention to the sound of your buzzbait. Any small variation in the sound may indicate that the blades or hook has grabbed some vegetation, not to mention you want to be ready to set the hook when you hear one explode on it.
Colors:
All-white and -black buzzbaits are long-standing favorites regardless of what time of day you are fishing. At night, it's best to stick to these solid and high contrast color patterns so the fish can easily spot and track down your buzzbait. Don’t be afraid to mix in some chartreuse or black and white variations and consider using painted blade buzzbaits for some added distinction.
