I live in Kentucky. My favorite river for smallies is the famed Elkhorn Creek which is mostly rock and dirt/sand. It's great! I typically take my ned rig and catch them by the dozens. 

 

Near my house is another creek/river that has a good amount of smallies in it. I've caught some decent ones out of there, but I mostly catch heaps of grass, or moss. I know the ned rig will catch them, but what is your advice with fishing these grassy/mossy areas? 

 

What would you use? 

You might try a quarter ounce beetle spin. They are pretty weedless, and catch a lot of fish, and some of them good fish, plus they are less than a dollar a piece so there is literally nothing to lose.

1. Topwater popper, propbait, or 1/4oz buzzbait.

 

2. Weightless 4" stick worm rigged weedless on a 1/0 or 2/0 hook.

 

3. a 4" power worm on an Owner bullet head:

The creek we fish in here in Ohio for smallies we use 3" Senko or Dingers with a 1/16 oz bullet weight.  Then you would be weedless and still have somewhat of the same profile and action of the bait.

Try a weightless fluke, 4" grub on a 1/8 oz jig head, or a floating jerkbait. Those should all stay above the grass. Also, don't forget about topwater. 

I always go weightless Texas rigged worm when I’m catching too much goop