learnbassfishing

I have the best luck using live worms in creeks. I've caught some big smallies in creeks just floating nightcrawlers underneath a bobber with a split shot about a foot above the hook. I use 6lb test Berkley vanish fluorocarbon. It might get frustrating dealing with panfish depending on where you're fishing, but nightcrawlers can definitely work well for smallies.

For lures, I recommend getting a pack of senkos and texas rigging them. Try a bullet sinker and a texas rigged soft plastic worm like a senko. For a beginner, I'd recommend a slow, steady retrieve with some random pauses thrown in. Besides senkos, I'd recommend Z-Man's finesse TRD with a finesse ShroomZ jighead (ned rig). I like a 1/15 oz ShroomZ jighead. I also like swimbaits like the keitech fat swing impact. I like the bluegill color if you can find it. I also like the Strike King Rage Swimmer swimbait. I usually fish either a keitech or rage swimmer on a 1/4 oz ball jig. I know you were asking specifically about lures, but since you've never been fishing before, maybe a bobber and a worm would be worth a try? Just put a worm on a hook with a split shot and bobber and you never know what can happen. Also, a minnow under a bobber can work well for smallmouth. If you want to try this, I recommend getting 1-2 dozen fathead minnows at a bait shop (you'll want to get a bucket). I recommend using a #6 aberdeen or baitholder hook, a bb sized split shot or two, and a bobber. I like Leland Lure's EZ trout float bobbers. They usually have them at Walmart. Good luck!

Ive only found dingers to be slightly more durable than senkos.

I've caught many smallmouth on 5-inch senkos. I find them very effectively. My favorite retrieve is to start my rod at about 9 or 10 o'clock, pull up for about 4 seconds to about 12 o'clock, lower for about 4 seconds, take the slack up, and repeat. I also like a slow, steady retrieve with an occasional pause or lift. If you're fishing spots with a good population of smallies, I don't think you'll have much trouble getting bite with them.

I'm pretty new to bass fishing and had a weird experience with 2 lures breaking today. Today I caught several smallies while wading a creek on an original floating rapala F7. I then started casting, and realized my Rapala was moving erratically on the surface and not going under at all. I looked at the lure, and there was a crack right beside the line tie. I switched to a new Rapala F7, and somehow hooked a freshwater drum (my first time ever catching one). After releasing the drum, I noticed there was a crack right beside the line tie, and the Rapala would not work the right way. I'm just wondering if this was bad luck or if I did something wrong. I was fishing with my drag tightened nearly all the way (which is probably too tight?). I think maybe I reeled against the drag too much and had the drag too tight while bringing in the smallies and the drum. Could this cause the lures to crack near the line tie? I did loosen the drag quite a bit while fighting the drum in, but I reeled mostly and didn't let it run like I probably should have. I was wondering if this could be a reason why 2 different Rapalas would both crack in the same spots? Thank you!!