One good technique that has always worked for me when fishing for small mouth is to use live minnows and a bobber. Most people will put the minnow on the line at the bottom of a weight and then the bobber on top so that the weight takes the minnow down to the desired dept. I have found that the weight limits the movement of the minnow and does not let it move naturally. I have done very well by not using a weight and just putting the minnow on the hook with the bobber and letting the minnow swim naturally on its own and this drives the bass crazy, this will also help keep fish like perch from getting to the minnow before the bass do. Give it a try and I hope it works for you as much as it has for me. Good luck and please take care of the waters.