Sounds like you are fishing for Smallmouths in a river from the bank. Lots of dangerous critters out at night and we can't see well without light. Get yourself a hat or head lamp, a flash light and use caution around the river, maybe wear suspender type life vest.

Smallies love single spin spinnerbaits at night and with moving water should work for you.

Tom

There's nothing on this earth that matches the feeling or sight of the dark of night turning to light as the sky starts light up the sky. Then the twilight turns to daylight. I got the only view second to view they got in the space shuttle. Fishing in the dark till dawn rocks.

I love being out there every morning.

I think of Louie Armstrong's song what a Wonderful World.

Sachmoe got it right.

Here in Texas, it's either late May or early June on into late September or early October. Baits? Depends on where I am and what I'm fishing for. My two biggest SM, a 5-02 and a 5-00, I caught near midnight on a black single-spin with black blafe and black trailer. Those were in Newman Lake, Washington, as was an 8-18 LM on a black Jitterbug. Those are two lures I always have tied on at night. I also throw a 10" black worm, Texas-rigged, and a 1/2 to 3/4 oz black bucktail jig with a pork trailer - either a Split-tail eel or a 9" eel.

My biggest bass was a 21in smallmouth on a jointed black jitterbug - if I'm fishing at night a black jitterbug is a must.

Purple worm with black.... ribbon tail. End of story works all the time.

Bubblegum 5" Senkos get bites almost every few casts for me at night. 

A big, black spinnerbait with a single colorado blade, black or gold is HARD to beat. Jitterbugs, buzzbaits, and other noisy topwaters can be good too. As the others are saying though, DON'T overlook big jigs and plastics in black/blue or other dark colors. Also, bigger swimbaits that fish near the surface and make a lot of commotion can really work well. Bigger and louder is almost always better after dark.

Be aware of noises that go bump in the night. Be careful out there.

Don't forget the topwater props. Like the mister twister top prop. It's my best producing topwater churning bait.

With a slightly moving current use a bass scent. I use to give the water a shot too.