my best luck has been senkos wacky or texas rigged but the rapala jointed minnows have been slaying them this year. good luck!

I have one place I fish were I never seen smallies caught. Till one day during the light rain I caught a few 3lb smallies on a Joe's fly 1/4oz bass size inline spinner with a Colorado blade in firetiger apache. I'd cast it out and reel it slow. The Joe's fly is one hot little inline spinner. And don't forget about his spinflys too. But it was the only time I seen smallies in this spot. That Joe's fly in firetiger apache with that blend of chartruese works great for any bass. I also use his other bass colors too. The firetiger apache works great in low light conditions too like at twilight.

Carolina rig on rocky bottom or weeds is a wonder my friend! Try something like a 6-7'' worm on a C-rig.

^{Well since you don't want any topwaters i would use the small Senkos and a shakey head  or drop shot a  roboworm.}

Rage craws and tubes on a weighted keek hook worked great this year.

The most basic and versatile baits there are for smallmouth fishing beginners have to be strike king rage tail grubs on a darter or football head jig. Even my little brother was catching smallmouth on them a few years ago when he was 3! Easy and effective, give em a shot!

 

If you are looking to go in depth with lure choice however you must take in to account: weather, water clairity, depth, structure, food sources in the area and so on and so on. So if you're no pro, stick to the basics and give a grub a try!