Hello.  Most of the set-up questions seem to be for creeks, streams and plastic baits or spinners. So I am posting a new question.  

I am on a small lake with Smallmouth and Rock Bass We usually are in 8 to 20 foot of water and we catch our own bait on the lake. Large Shiners, Chubs and muchless often small perch.  We have lots of Rock bass and the Smallie's are in the 2 3/4 to 5 pound range depending on the time of year. 

  I have been fishing for years but really have little knowledge of Rods, Reels and Action types.  Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

When u say rock bass are u talking about redeyes or stripers. I'm assuming the panfish redeye. If shore bound a 6' medium power fast action spinning. Boat 7' medium power fast action spinning

If you're talking striped bass then 7 medium heavy power fast action spinning. I like fishing live bait with a spinning set up

The bait soakers up here use 8-9' moderate action, medium light power spinning rods for dragging soft shell crabs (molting crawfish) in deep water.  I had a nice Pinnacle for this years ago. 

I am going to say Red Eyes.  Michigan DNR calls them Rock Bass we call them Rockies They are found anywhere the smallies are. Humps, stumps,weeds,changes in elevation.

 

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-45688--,00.html

 

I always fish from a boat never a dock.   Just for the record we don't soak dead bait. We trap live native bait and have no issues landing bass