2” Sassy Shad, or the smallest original floating rapala that you can find.  A 3” BPS Sticko on a split shot rig can be killer in the weeds. 

 

i catch dinks by the dozen with  average sized lures .

4 inch Luck E Strike curl tail worm w tiny weight, or Beetle spin

alabama rig, catch two at once

Sort of depends on the lake and structure. I really like a senko or weightless plastic like a fluke if fish are shallow. If fish are more related to the bottom it would be hard to beat a drop shot or flick shake (small 1/8 oz or less head with a small wacky rigged worm). I have had more luck on the ned rig for smallmouth than largemouth but that would be another pick. But at the end of the day small fish will eat big fish baits at times and big fish will eat small fish baits at times.

I was having a lot of luck getting dinks and Rock Bass on the Johnson Beetle Spin this weekend.