What is your favorite bait to use for smallmouth at night.

Black Jitterbug.

black jitterbug 2x

Black jitterbug one more time ;D

I buy the older ones from auction sites. In my opinion, the new ones do not have the action or sound as the ones made back in the day (1970's or so).

The quality of Arbogast was MUCH better back then.

I have had good luck on other colors as well, but black seems to be the best.

I'll expand on the black Jitterbug:

ANY black topwater bait. HA. No, seriously, I use black Jitterbugs, Torpedos, Poppers or Buzzbaits.

A spinnerbait with a large Colorado blade (size 6 or 7).

a friend and I were fishing friday night he was throwing a 5/8 oz yellow which i didn't have, he was catching more fish i tried 5 other colors all 5/8 oz including the black he still caught more fish that night. the next trip who knows what color will work best just have to keep trying till you get the one that works.

black jitterbug FTW

Black MUSKY Jitterbug.

5/8oz. Hawk spinnerbait...Pink and Purple with a #5 Pickens Blade

I dont have much good luck on top water for smallmouth. I like to throw a red shad Yum Wooly Bug Texas rigged with a 1/4 oz. sinker.

Berkley Powerbait 4" grub