When to use Silver Buddys for smallmouths

[Mean Morone]

I've heard that the smallies on Lake Cumberland and on Dale Hollow can be caught with silver buddys. Is that a winter time only technique or can they be caught any time using this technique?

[redneckshadrap]

I usually Carolina rig them and pitch heavy timber....LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Nope don't fish them a lot, but there are several on here they do and catch a lot of fish. It's getting that time of year for them.

Billy

[mhall]

This is usually when the shad start to die off and flutter down type of bite. In other words late in the year. However the buddy will catch fish at all times of year. Most guys have their best success at the lakes you mentioned once the shad become lethargic and begin their cold water death cycle. Find where you believe to be smallmouth under shad dieing off. Cast out and let fall and rip buddy up from bottom almost like you would a jig and let fall back and semi tight line. Billy Westmoreland was an absolute master at this technique and so is Fred McClintoc. This can be deadly and hang on to your rod tight, lol. There are articles on-line to research that will go into more indepth detail than I did.

[smljaw]

In a humorous way, Shadrap is telling you not to forget your lure knocker! You'll save a bunch of Silver Buddies if you have a few lure knockers on board. They hang up on EVERYTHING!!!

[mhall]

In a humorous way, Shadrap is telling you not to forget your lure knocker! You'll save a bunch of Silver Buddies if you have a few lure knockers on board. They hang up on EVERYTHING!!!

Good Lord ain't that the truth, lol.

[elnutsmalljaws]

Another tip on saving the Silver "Hang every other cast" Buddy is to cut off the front hook on the front treble. I don't get hung as much after I was told this little trip.

[dblack]

one other tip.MAKE YOUR OWN SILVER BUDDYS YOU WILL HAVE ABOUT $.80 PER BAIT

[bandman]

I am really going to regret asking this but please just remember, "the only dumb question is one not asked." What the heck is a siver buddy? I even looked at Bass Pro Shops web site and couldn't get a hit?

[Tim_T]

I am really going to regret asking this but please just remember, "the only dumb question is one not asked." What the heck is a siver buddy? I even looked at Bass Pro Shops web site and couldn't get a hit?

http://www.silverbuddy.com/index

[AJM]

I knew it, Bass Pro doesn't have everything! A silver buddy is a lure that was made for many years in Greenup Kentucky, originally designed to fish and catch multiple species behind the locks on the Ohio. It is a thin piece of shiny metal shaped similar to a small bait fish with variable sized lead weight on the bottom, with two trebles.
Billy Westmoreland helped make this famous fishing for Smallies. A lot of people use them this time of year through the winter and do real good.
There was a few years when you couldn't get the original Silver Buddy due to some business issues, but they are being made again in Florida. The only difference is a rust free hook, for saltwater fishing.
They have long been advertised as "catches anything that swims"
http://www.silverbuddy.com/

[mhall]

I am really going to regret asking this but please just remember, "the only dumb question is one not asked." What the heck is a siver buddy? I even looked at Bass Pro Shops web site and couldn't get a hit?

It is a metal blade bait that has been around for many many years and was kinda perfected at Dale Hollow. Look in your bait shops and you'll find them.

[bandman]

Thanks to all, learn something new everyday!