So I've mentioned on here a few times that my local lake has a small population of smallies. The past two years we've been under drought conditions and I haven't caught any. The 2 years prior I probably caught 30 in 2 seasons. This summer I've heard a couple reports of one being caught...last week I heard a first hand report of a nice one being caught. I've got the area selected...rocky, long points, access to deeper water nearby.

 Here's where I'm looking for some suggestions: I've got a Carolina rigged speed craw, a dark sleeper and a rugby head big TRD tied on. I'm fishing from shore. Anything I'm missing?

 

Maybe a tube if it’s not too hangy 

Since it has a "small" population....I would fish where there is some depth and current...and smallies like water on the clear side. I think its more about location than it is about the lure.

Maybe a Shad Rap or a DT. You don’t need to buy a million patterns. Throw something on the natural side. DT has a wider wobble, Shad Rap is tighter. Don’t over look a Rat-L-Trap, a simple chrome with a black back or gold with a black back. These will help you locate smallies. I think it’s great that you are going after the bronze fish among all the greenies. 

10 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

Anything I'm missing?

 

Rage Menace, Structure Bug and Baby Craw

Try throwing a spook or whopper plopper out over deeper water off those points.  Especially a spook when shore fishing, because you can cast it a mile.

 

I've also had good luck from shore casting a dropshot on spinning gear. 1/4oz or 3/8oz. weight and a bit longer drop (24" or so) to account for the angle of retrieve.  Nose hook a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm.  Cast as far as you can and feed line until it's on the bottom.  Wiggle it a few seconds, if no bites reel in a couple turns.  One cast should take a minute or two but if you pick up a couple you can dial in.  Oh, and the weights we were using were long, thin lead and we'd bend them into a "C" shape - I found they get snagged a lot less than pencil or ball weights, and the soft lead will just straighten if they do so you don't always have to break your weight off.

11 hours ago, DitchPanda said:

 So I've mentioned on here a few times that my local lake has a small population of smallies. The past two years we've been under drought conditions and I haven't caught any. The 2 years prior I probably caught 30 in 2 seasons. This summer I've heard a couple reports of one being caught...last week I heard a first hand report of a nice one being caught. I've got the area selected...rocky, long points, access to deeper water nearby.

 Here's where I'm looking for some suggestions: I've got a Carolina rigged speed craw, a dark sleeper and a rugby head big TRD tied on. I'm fishing from shore. Anything I'm missing?

 

I like all three of your selections. I have caught quality fish on all of them. What is water clarity? if it's clear try a Zman TicklrZ in Smelt. Works for me!