So I'm getting back into fishing after a few years. And I'm not sure what to even use this time of the year. It's been a while. What is the best bait you have used for smallies in rocky, cold water. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Hula grubs, 4" senkos and craws always work for me.

Rage Tail Baby Craw

finesse jig, jerkbait, or could try a lipless crankbait ripped and hopped off the bottom.

Rage Tail Baby Craw

Yup...just starting using Rage Tail baby craw this year and it's awesome.

Yup...just starting using Rage Tail baby craw this year and it's awesome.

Is there a certain color to use? and how are you rigging it?

Water temp by me is 54-58 and I'm having good luck with lipless cranks and using my scatter rap bouncing off cover something about the deflection and the sudden change in direction is working wonders right now. Think the bait fish moved up and they are staging a bit. I shore fish too. Gin clear water.

Is there a certain color to use? and how are you rigging it?

I've been using black with blue flake and green pumpkin. Just T-rigging it with a glass bead and a 3/16 oz bullet weight.

Off topic here but is that an S2000 w/Hardtop?

Off topic here but is that an S2000 w/Hardtop?

yessir. one of many of my dreamcars. 

4 or 5 inch Chompers, green pumpkin color, 1/4 or 3/8 oz shaky head, spinning gear, 8 lb fluorocarbon line.  That is where I'd start.  If it is really rocky, I'd probably use a football style jig head.  Option #B would be a Brewer slider head, 1/4 oz, on 6 lb test.

 

In the words of Charlie Brewer, "polish the rocks"