The Power Bass Fishing Lure

The buzzbait is a great way to cover water quickly to find aggressive bass.

A Bass Fishing Lure Analogy

For conservation and management purposes, fisheries biologists sample fish populations using different types of gear. Some are “passive,” such as a trap net, where it is just set for a while and checked periodically for fish capture. Other capture gear is “active,” such as electro fishing where research technicians actually move to locate fish. 

Similarly, anglers have “finesse” and “power” fishing. Finesse anglers know (or at least think they know) where fish are and thus slow down and use soft plastics or live bait. Power fishing anglers cover water quickly to find fish with lures such as crankbaits and swimjigs. But perhaps the lure that covers the most water to find active fish quickly is the buzzbait.

What is Buzzbait?

“Buzz” here does not mean that the lure is coffee flavored. This name comes from the sound the lure makes as the special blade is rapidly retrieved across the water surface. It is built like a wire spinnerbait except that instead of a fluttering blade or two, it has a metal propeller of sorts. A spinnerbait does its thing below water. A buzzbait is a sinking lure but it must be retrieved fast enough for the propeller to spin across the top of the water. 

The resulting quick little “blip-blip-blip” sound and wake look like a small prey item panicking and trying to race to safety. This attracts hungry fish such as bass and pike from surprising distances. Because of the rapid retrieve and thus frequent casting, anglers cover a lot of water and can quickly learn if there are aggressive fish in the area. Be sure to check for additional bass fishing lure techniques.