The Big M 09/12/2014

[Quillback]

Cold, cloudy, breezy day today - the kind that says top water. I fished a black War Eagle buzz bait all day and caught 10 bass, 2 were keeper largemouth.

Had a weird day, probably missed 25-30 bites on the buzzer. They would swirl at it, I'd feel them, and they'd get off. Had a good sharp trailer hook on the buzzer, but still missed a lot of fish, I can't explain it except I'm thinking they just weren't eating it like they should. Frustrating, should have swung at least 20 into the boat.

Fish were shallow for the most part, back in the coves. Pockets and little point type structure were where they were at.

I think a spinner bait would have worked, I was just having too much fun (in spite of the misses) fishing the buzzer, so I stuck with it.

Water temp 79.

[jmes]

Thanks for the report, i will be out tomorrow doing the same thing

[Quillback]

Forgot to say, I saw Mr. Babler out there today and talked to him for a minute. You have to like a guide that goes out on his day off to find fish for his clients that he'll be guiding the next few days.

[rps]

Forgot to say, I saw Mr. Babler out there today and talked to him for a minute. You have to like a guide that goes out on his day off to find fish for his clients that he'll be guiding the next few days.

Pros versus amateurs. Class shows every time.

[Bill Babler]

Always good to see OZA guys on the water. Spoke to Quill and he said he was having a very nice day. I hit the drink at E-Rock at 7 AM and had a good limit of LM by 7:30 about 13 pounds. Unlike Quill I was swimming a fin shallow, and they were not messing with it, they were just crushing it. Everyone had multiple Death Traps stuck in a scale or lip somewhere.

Also jumped off one over 4 pounds on a jig after it swirled on the fin and did not munch it. Was the only miss I had all day. Ended with 7 keeps on the fin all LM and had 3 very solid Keep K's on the flutter spoon.

I could catch lots of fish again on the flutter spoon, but they are all pretty small. Best deal however was boat in 30' and let the spoon on a long cast go completely to the bottom and reel it very slowly along the bottom back to the boat.

Out of E-Rock again in the morning with one of my very good Bass Clients. Hope they are still on the deal.

Good Luck

[abkeenan]

Wonder if throwing a spinner bait or shallow running square bill or something might not have improved on hookups Quill? I am not a big buzz bait guy but these reports the last couple of weeks have peaked my interest and would love to get in on it.

[Quillback]

Yeah I'm thinking that would probably would have been smart to try, the SB or a square bill. But it was fun throwing the buzzer. Might have tried downsizing the bait also, but I only have a couple of buzzers and they are all 1/2 oz. Buzzfrog like a Zoom Horny Toad may have worked also. Looks like I have some stuff to try out next time.

[jay bird]

Fished a tournament on Saturday out of big m and had a great bite on the buzz bait all day, but lost at least six keepers. Like quill said would think I had a good hook up but would lose them 20 seconds into the fight. Was using a medium heavy jig rod rod with 12# mono with super sharp hook with sharp trailer. Had no problem bringing in non keepers, but could not drive the Steele on the bigger fish. Any thoughts??? Ended up ok but should have been a unbelivable day.

[Quillback]

At least you had them on for a bit, the bites I were getting they'd grab it and get right off.

[Fish24/7]

Quillback

jay bird

At least you had them on for a bit, the bites I were getting they'd grab it and get right off.

this may sound weird guys, but sometimes the extra trailer hook causes the fish to not get hooked well and get off.

used to have the same problems losing fish w/ trailer hooks on a buzzer.

Try the buzz w/o the added hook and you'll be suprised at how many more bass you get in the boat when this problem arises.

Some days you need the extra hook, and some days it just get's in the way...

I make buzzers w/ long shank hooks and it works for me.

If anybody has a buzzbait question I'm your guy.

(On spinnerbaits i use one about every time)