I went to a fishing tournament on Saturday and I tried a spinnerbait for the very first time. I am new to fishing in general and especially bass fishing as this was my first time. I have a medium fast shimano 4000 series rod and reel combo with 12 pound line and I found that when I reeled in the spinnerbait the rod tip moved and shaked. I have only fished little brookies my life so everytime it started to shake I set the hook because I thought it was a bite. Is the rod tip suppose to move? Is a bite from a smallmouth alot more rough and violent? Thanks.

You may consider going with a heavy action or fast action rod. Thats what I prefer when fishing sb. Their a little stiffer.

The rod tip shaking indicates that the the blade is turning, so it's a good indication that you're not cranking it too slow. You'll know when a fish takes it, particularly a smallie. A spinnerbait bite is rarely tentative. Sometimes they will short strike it. When that happens either trim the skirt a bit, add or change your trailer, or add a trailer hook. Sometimes a short strike indicates that you've almost, but not quite, gotten it right. Change something; color, retrieve speed and cadence, more twitches and rod movements, less rod movements, etc.

I like a medium power, fast action rod for spinnerbaits, so we're both on the same page here.

Cheers,

GK

smallmouth on a spinnerbait is almost never gonna be a small strike.  generally they are gonna smash the bait and you will definitely know.  Even after you know you've got one on, hold on tight.  They will run and jump and fly through the air to throw your hook.  

I don't know about smallmouth, buit when the largemouth are "sucking it in" (i.e. biting very lightly) sometimes the only way you know you have a strike is when the vibrations stop.  So go figure.