+1 on the Lunker Lure. I’ve been throwing them for about 35 yrs and still haven’t found a better buzzbait. Caught a 9 1/2 pounder on one and lots in the 7- 8 1/2 range over the years.

+1

I like the buzz baits with flat style heads on them and many different brands have that design. Some have a round type head like for a spinner bait and I DO NOT like those because they sink too fast compared to the same weight flat head style.

I've always preferred Lunker Lures in 1/4 or 3/8 oz. Do not overlook that small lure for big fish.

But whatever brand you choose, there are several things that make a buzzbait more effective.
1. make sure it squeaks. If it doesn't - clamp it to a fan and let it spin for a couple hours until it does.
2. presentation - have your reel engaged and turning at exactly the same time the lure hits the water. Don't let it sink. Shallow fish often will blast it on the first handle turn.
3. long casts - I like to side arm a buzzbait. This allows you to see the bait all the way to the target. Always allow at least 20-24" of tag line from rod tip to lure and side sling the bait.
You will get maximum distance without the end over end tumbling and your presentation will be easier and much less noisy.
4. TRAILER HOOK
5. fish buzz baits in 5 ft. of water or less.
6. normally best early and late.

Another vote for the original Lunker Lure. Tie it onto the seat post on your way to the lake. When you get there it will be good to go. The hole where the wire goes thru the blade gets egg shaped and makes the bait clatter & squeak. The more it clatters & squeaks the better it catches fish. I like the 1/2 oz because I can throw it further.

You can make a $3 buzzbait sound as good as any out there in about 5 seconds with a pair of fingernail clippers.

Pat Cullen of Georgia fished two different ones to help catch around 1,200 Bass over 10 lbs.. Most of his fish was caught at night and in smaller lakes. I build both of those.
- One with a drop shaft to allow the head and skirt to ride just under the surface which he clamed produce better hook ups.
- The other is a Black Quad blade which is billed as the slowest Buzz bait made.

I like the 3/8 Head Knocker. It stays up easily. Drill a couple holes in the blade and it will leave a bubble trail.

Hang a few from the truck antenna on the way to the lake. Gets em broke in quick.

The triple wing StrikeKing is good “quite” buzzbait. To make it better remove the rivet stem from front of the blade. Now the blade will clank on the wire. The 1/4 oz bait has been better than the 3/8oz.

I also like the older single bladed StrikeKing Pro Buzzbaits, they were made with an off-set blade that produces more vibration and can be reeled much slower. I always use a soft plastic trailer and never use stinger hook. I retrieve the bait as slow as possible with my rod tip high to keep the bait up, and the blade just plopping along. Resembles shad flipping on the surface.

I’ve modified a few of the older buzzbaits by removing the blade, bending the wire to slide on a clacker blade, then bending frame back and reinstalling the blade, makes a great clacker on a short frame.

Rowdy Buzz Lures makes a great bait. They are not a huge company, but their bait is compact and makes the right pitch. I have been using them for about a year now. They flat catch fish and seem to have better components that many of the ones the Mega tackle companies make.

Greenfish makes a head knocker that I like 3/8th ounce.

Strike King Triple Wing, white or white/chartreuse. I like the triple wing as they come up fast and once up you can work them very slow to where they will leave a trail of bubbles. LUV 'EM!!