y2says

This year started out really tough for me too. All the go-to baits weren't producing like they did last year. This year I tried something different and all my bass caught so far except for one has been on hard baits like spinnerbaits and crankbaits. All year last year I didn't catch a single fish on them and now I have them tied on all the time. It was tough going from a search bait back to a senko, but there are always a time a place for a lure. Don't give up on what has worked for you in the past. It'll come back.

Switching lures, size or colors can usually get another bite or two. Early this month I hit 3 smallies within 30 minutes, then the bite died. I moved to other spots and later that day we came back and my friend caught two more. He also threw a lure a size bigger than before. Smallmouths usually stay in schools and if there's one, most of the time there are others. I would be patient and work the area a bit more.