Kent Brown Talks Buzzbaits

Recently, I asked Kent Brown, 4 time West Coast Bass Classic Qualifier, Mercury National Freshwater Fishing Team Member and part of the Ranger National Pro-Staff some of his thoughts on fishing buzzbaits for summer bass.

“Many anglers underestimate the buzzbait and it’s effectiveness on the lakes for spotted bass” stated Brown. This really hit home for me as I was asked at Shasta once why I had that big Bubba buzzbait tied on, then on the first cast the water exploded with a 6 pound spotted bass, as my sons eyes lit up.

The buzzbait isn’t only a Delta bait by any means, as Brown describes some of his favorite areas “I fish the buzzbait around flooded willow bushes as well as later in the year way off the bank on suspended bass. When a light breeze is blowing a small chop on the water and you have a hard time seeing a plug like a Rico, I go to a buzzbait”.

Many anglers feel that early and late in the day are the only times to throw top water, is there a best time? “I love to hear an angler tell me that they only throw topwater the first thing in the morning and the last part of the evening, Many of my best buzzbait bites have started after 9:00 a.m. and many times not until noon when the fish start positioning themselves in the shade pockets and the shade of a bush, rock outcropping or even a bridge piling” added Brown.

As far as Buzzbait styles there are so many new shapes and blades help me here? “I have never personally been a fan of triple or four winged plastic bladed buzzbaits. I have never gotten a plastic blade to squeak like I can an aluminum blade. I prefer the old two bladed, aluminum bladed buzzbait. I never use a buzzbait lighter than a 1/2 ounce. The lighter ones are too hard to cast for any distance and hang in the air when the wind is blowing”.

Everybody has a favorite color, here on the Delta we always get the same answers white and Chartreuse, so what’s your choices? “Colors really vary for me with a shad pattern being my favorite on the lakes and black on the Delta or Clear Lake. I do like using mylar as an attractor on my buzzbaits. My favorite is the Rodstrainer Monster King. I also throw a 3/0 Gamakatsu Siwash hook as a trailer hook at all times”.

As far as types of lines Brown said, “I usually throw the buzzbaits on 15 to 20 pound Big Game line, however I have been experimenting with 50lb Fins braid, a 6:1 baitcaster and a Lamiglas 705R fiberglass rod. The glass rod is much more forgiving and has a slow response time allowing the fish to load up on the bait”.

Brown added, “Remember when fishing the buzzbait just like any topwater wait until you feel the fish, don’t swing when the fish blows up on it”.

It seems that sometimes the fish want a little something different Do You adjust your retrieve? “Sometimes you need to try different presentations, Vary the retrieve, at times the fish want it barely breaking the surface and other times they want it reeled, jerked, reeled, jerked making it look like something trying to get away”.

Brown like most pro anglers couldn’t do it without his sponsors: Ranger Boats, Ranger Trail Trailers, Mercury Outboards, Quicksilver Propellers, Minn Kota Motors, Lamiglas Rods, PinPoint Electronics, ProBassAngler.com, Plano Tackle Boxes, Lobina Lures, Rodstrainer Baits, Fins Braids, Ocean Wave Sunglasses, California Custom Marine, International Sportsman’s Expositions. Enjoy!