Buzzer Fishing...................

[T.P.]

Ever since I started fishing in the UK people keep suggesting I use buzzers. I've been given all sorts from very small and red to very large and green. The problem is I can't catch on them, and worse than that I have no confidence in them and basically never use them.

So I need the idiots guide to using buzzers,

When should I use them?

How should I fish them?

Are there any clues as to which ones will work?

Thanks in advance

T.P.

[notanothersage]

Hi T.P It is just a question of confidence and going to a venue when the fishing is not too hard. Don't get caught up in types of buzzer, size and colour are important but the way they are presented is key. If you want I an give you a detailed approach on the basics and you can try at yoour local place. Phil

[Terry Phillips]

T.P,

I here this allot!

When should I use them?
Best anytime between now and end July when the water temperatures go through the roof and the rainbows get their heads down. But they can work all year round even in winter.

How should I fish them?
Fish then slow and when you think you are fishing them slow enough, you're probably fishing them too quick so slow it down some more. There is a good guide to buzzer fishing here www.jubileelakes.co.uk/?page=78, you will not find a better buzzer angler than the gentleman who wrote the article so there's some good points in there.

One thing that will help is some good quality low diameter copolymer, I tend to use 5lb Rio Powerflex for most of my buzzer fishing.

Are there any clues as to which ones will work?
Personally I'm a fan of black in a 12/14 with some red tinsel in it somewhere, either as a rib or cheeks.

But spooning the fish or looking in the margins for buzzers 'shucks' (empty casing) will give you the best indication.

I'm still trying to convert my Father to the art of buzzer fishing, but he's a little impatient with them. If he doesn't catch within 2-3 casts then on go the lures!

To build a little confidence you could try fishing a small put and take fishery and fish a couple of them under an indicator.

Regards,
Terry.

[Charlie]

Jo, They are the easiest things in the world to fish.

Here are my basics to keeping it simple :

1. Find some fish feeding on buzzers (ie don't try this in winter till you are really confident). You should see a few shucks around and birds feeding low over the water is an even better sign.

2. Always use black flexifloss size 10. People talk about "olive", Blakestones, size 14's etc. They have their day but 90% will eat a black size 10.

3. You want them moving very slowly, so either fish side on in a gentle breeze or downwind and retrieve VERY slowly.

4. Just leaving them to do their own thing is pretty good too, and bung aficionados like me do that most of the time but you don't need a bung to do that. Bites are often very confident and you'll see the line go.

5. Find the depth they are taking at ie use three flies spread evenly over the depth of the water and change the rig to get more buzzers in the right plane once you have worked out how deep they are eg swap the point buzzer for a booby, if they are near the top.

6. Give it a TIMED half hour in a given spot, then move on.

Do that all day when they are feeding and I'm sure you will catch plenty.

Charlie

[alan]

Jo, like you I read loads about buzzer fishing and never caught on them so my confidence was zero. Then I guess I learnt the difference between what I thought was slow and what is slow. So now I do fish and catch on buzzers but only resort to them at certain times of year, or when nothing else seems to work.

I must admit that my favourite buzzer has to be a skinny black with fine green hollographic tinsel ribbing in a 12/14. I mainly fish this in hotter weather in the top few inches with a 'saw tooth retrieve' (tweek line back with two fingers, rest 2,3 tweek2,3 etc.) or fish one on a new zealand dropper static or on the 'washing line'. The basics are that on even the coldest day in winter there is usually a small buzzer hatch. Biggest factor is Confidence and sooo slow.

[rad]

T.P- Excellent advice here. The best i can offer is fish them very very very very very slow. Just keep in touch with the line. Vary the retrieve try very slow fig 8 for 5 secs and then let them drop down in the water a bit then repeat. Again the best advice is slow slow slow. Black buzzers have allways worked best from me.
Have a look at this artical by Simon Newman on The soldier Palmers site. Its worth a read and gives some excellent advice on Nymphing
www.soldierpalmers.co.uk/articles/art9.htm

[Sewinman]

Does anyone use them on rivers?

[Charlie]

That's one of the best pieces I've read in a long time

Some great ideas I had not thought of.

Thanks

Charlie

[Chris]

sewinman said:

Does anyone use them on rivers?

I had a cracking fish in New Zealand in a backwater with a Suspender Buzzer.

[icj]

hi tj
i have been fishing buzzers constantly for the past three seasons now. it is all about confidence. start with a three fly cast with size 12 + 14 size diawl Bach's 14 on droppers with a long fluorocarbon leader fished very slow or static. use diawl Bach's with a small hot spot at the head of the fly usually red yellow green and orange.if you need any more info let me know.

[T.P.]

Thanks for all the advice. Maybe a couple of weeks before I get to put any of this into practice, but I think I'll give it a really good try.

T.P.

[3lbgrayling]

icj,welcome to the forum hope you can stay awhile

jim

[crabacle]

I had a few fish on the Wharfe last year with a black suspender buzzer.

[icj]

if anybody wants help to fishing buzzers or tying them i fish bristol waters and llandegfedd once a week hope some one can show me a few tricks as well.tight lines all.icj.

[newbie2006]

brilliant thread