Buzzbait
A wire lure with a propeller-like blade that churns across the surface, best at dusk and in cloudy or murky water.
- Type
- Spinners & Spoons
- Target fish
- Bass
- Skill
- Beginner-friendly
- Depth
- Surface
- Best seasons
- Late spring through early fall
Note: Some states restrict or ban lead sinkers and jigs in certain waters, so check your state's rules and consider tungsten, steel, or other non-lead options.
When it works best
- At dawn, dusk, and on cloudy days.
- In murky water or around thick cover, where fish hit by sound and vibration.
- When you want a loud, fast topwater.
How to fish it
- Cast and begin reeling the moment the lure hits the water so the blade starts turning.
- Keep a steady retrieve so it stays on the surface.
- Run it over weeds, wood, and shallow points.
- Wait until you feel the fish before setting the hook.
Tips
- A trailer hook helps with fish that strike short.
- Black or white skirts are good starting colors.
Common mistakes
- Reeling too slowly, which lets it sink.
- Setting the hook when you hear the splash.
- Fishing it in bright, clear water, when it works less well.
Gear
A medium-heavy rod with a fast tip is a good choice.
Often confused with
- Spinnerbait: runs underwater instead of on the surface.
Fish it catches
Field notes
The buzzbait is loud on purpose. It is a good choice when you want to draw bass out of cover on a low-light evening.
Related guides
What works varies by water, season, and the fish that day, so use this as a starting point. Regulations on live bait, hook type and number, lead tackle, and baitfish transport differ by state and water body. Check your state's current fishing rules; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations and license portal.