Rediscovering Deps’ Buzzjet
A unique heavy-weight top-water lure designed by Kazumasa Okumura back in 2004
The Buzzjet and it’s variations where already introduced by Deps some years ago and is (not only since then) well-known throughout the Japanese market and scene for it’s really unique and sophisticated approach. I already thought about giving it a try some time ago, but didn’t had applicable tackle that was able to handle this ~1oz heavy-weight.
When it comes to Deps, two product lines immediately pop up. Well known for their multifaceted soft plastics palette and Sidewinder custom rod series, the Japanese manufacturer also stands for an appealing set-up of big baits like the Silent Killer and Highsider. The Buzzjet just sets a good example for Okumura’s sense of shape and design, while always keeping an eye out for the ‘anglers’ needs and possible improvements to existing ideas and concepts.
Combining features from some of the most state-of-the-art lures on the market and beeing available in two different models and multifaceted color patterns - the buzzjet should be a must-have for every bass angler and ’serious’ lure collector.
This brief introduction is focussing on the original 1oz Buzzjet while just mentioning it’s ‘little brother’ the Buzzjet Junior with 2.9inch (72mm) length and weight of 1/2oz (14g). The following specifications should give a rough overview about the details and features of the ‘Senior” model:
Length: 3.8inch (96mm)
Weight: 1oz (~30.0g)
Type:Floating
Application: Top Water
Features: wide wobbling, prop sound, noisy rattling, voluminous round profile body
A few cloe-ups of Buzzzjets’ beautyfully detailed design:
While researching for meaningful informations and reviews, I stumbled upon the following description at Landbigfish.com, which describes the Buzzjet’s features in detail:
“…The buzzjet, designed to be fished as a wake bait, has many unique features that sets it apart from the rest. The shape of the lip is constructed so the tip portion faces straight down, thus pushing greater amounts of water outwards around the bait creating a more distinct surface wake. The weight transfer system features 4 stainless balls that are strategically placed in a chamber rolling both front to back and left to right. This provides for great casting ability, unique sounds, and also an irregular side to side action on the retrieve. To create even more water splash and raucous on the water the designers added an original prop that rotates in an offset noisy manner. …”
With it’s noisy rattling sounds and high-appeal wobbling action - this voluminous top-water-plug is supposed to attract big bass near the surface but also the ones staying in the depth. Last but not least, it’s weight transfer system (”…4 Stainless balls are strategically placed in a chamber rolling both front to back and side to side on the cast…”) should offer perfect castabilty, that allows you to cover also wider area.
Related Links
- Buzzjet product page at Depsweb.co.jp
- Buzzjet Jr. product page
- Buzzjet Bone product page
You are already using the Buzzjet? Share your personal experiences and thoughts using the comment field below.
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
You don’t seem particularly critical of much! Most of your comments just read like a marketing blurb, would be nice if you could actually tell us what you think the strengths and weaknesses of the tackle you buy are. Maybe you just want sponsorship or something, you aren’t going to get that unless you show people some real insight and honest opinions
Good luck with the blog, it has a lot of potential.
Posted: April 15th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hi,
thanks for your constructive criticism. I got the Buzzjet’s last week, so I ddn’t had the time to test them in detail yet, but I’ll post some more meaningful and may be also more critical remarks as soon as I found the time to fish them.
I’m really amazed by the beautyful fisnish and perfect execution of these lures, so I posted a first brief introduction before coming out with a detailed review. Season has just started here, so more serious reviews and insights are just a matter of time.
About my intentions…
I’m not looking for any kind of sponsorship, it’s just that I like to share the results of my personal JDM related research and findings with likeminded people.
Thanks for your feedback.
Take care… Christian
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 6:52 am
NO need to criticize, this bait gets results. I consider this one of my favorite wake bait’s. I fish it really slow just enough to keep it moving and fish slam it. My favorite color is the all black and next up would be largemouth. If you don’t have this bait in your arsenal you need to break down and buy some. Fish love it and that’s all that matters.
Here is a link: http://calfishing.com/gallery/v/members/xxlbass/4_5lbs.jpg.html
Edit: I hope you don’t mind that I added a smaller version of your photo to the comment. Christian
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Hi Mike,
great to get some first-hand ‘user experience’! Thanks for that and also congratulations to this well-fed 4.5lbs pig. Can’t wait to try the Buzzjet on my forthcoming trip to Spain!
The “Jet black” color looks really good indeed. Would be nice to know in what kind of conditions you are using it. Which rod are you using on that picture? If I’m right, it’s ‘equipped’ with a modified Alphas Itö Ai. Would be nice to hear about your prefered tackle for fishing the Buzzjet.
Best from Berlin, Christian
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
HI Christian,
You keyed in on a good bait here. I am partial to the Jr. size myself, but I have both. My favorite color patters are Ghost Bass, Blue gill, Largemouth Bass, and of course Jet Black. I can’t speak for the previous poster, but as for myself, I use the Jet Black in stained or muddy water and overcast skies. Very typical for dark baits to do so, but also the vibration kicked out by the spinner in the back is great for muddy water.
In clear water it’s still a great bait. The key is the spinner creaters a bubble trail just under the surfaces and really makes it looks like a scurrying baitfish. Sometimes I fish out in California on a very clear body of water, Lake Casitas. In a place like this the big largemouth want to chase something down. You can see rainbow trout jumping clear out of the water as they are chased by largemouth so aggressively that they create a wake - it looks like an alligator attack. So having a trail of bubbles helps with the darting.scurrying effect. (you mentioned the Silent Killer too, on this lake Casitas I see many photos of people who have caught huge bass over 10lbs on that swimbait).
The other tremendous feature of the DEPS Buzzjet is the huge eye it has. Not enough baits focus on this targeting feature.
You run your blog as you see fit. (Though I hear that poster loud and clear - you’ll get more eyeballs if people think you’re not just plugging everything; and then sponsors come because of the eyeballs, they care less what you say as opposed to how many people you’re saying it to).
Either way, keep it up.
Chris
Posted: April 16th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Hi Chris,
thanks for joining the conversation and adding your personal view of things - interesting reading as always. Good to know a like-minded and experienced ‘head’ around.
As for the general blog discussion… I’m aware of the constantly increasing audience and the - let’s call it - lack of singularity of some/older posts, but there’s still ample scope for improvements.
It would be great to attract more people to get involved in current discussions and also in posting own reviews and articles. You already made a good start with the Orochi Evolution review and it would be nice to have some follow-ups by other external authors in the review section.
Opening up the blog for other contributors would be a good way to push the ‘exchange of experience idea’, besides improving the quality of own writings, of course.
Talk soon… Christian
Posted: June 25th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Everyone of course has their personal favorite colors, but the most popular acroos the USA in both Buzzjet sizes (96 and Jr) is the bluegill color, followed by olive shad in the Jr and real bluegill in the 96 size.
You can use these baits from as slow as possible to as fast as possible, They are noisy and active at every speed. i often liek to alternate casting a quiet bait and one of these noisy Buzzjets, For example, the ima Roumba wakebait does not make much noise and is the approximate size of the Buzzjet Jr. So I fish these baits together. Sometimes the fish want the noisy Buzzjet first for a few minutes, and if they shut down, you can possibly catch a couple more on the quiet Roumba. Other days, they warm up to the quiet Roumba first, and then that arouses them into the mood for the noisy BJ JR next. It really depends on the day, but no matter what, it is fun!
Posted: June 26th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Interesting strategy to combine the buzzjet with a silent counterpart like the roumba. For sure worth a try.
Posted: August 8th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Hi guys,
have you tried the new ” wide action and high tone sound ” Buzzjet Bone & Bone Jr?. Both of them are made with ABS plastic and I’ve read the show a difererent swimming action and high-frequency (high pitched) sound. New colors seem just like marketing…
Kind regards,
Jorge.
Posted: March 7th, 2009 at 9:52 am
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