Senko's and poppers are all you need for smallies on the island imo
maybe a dropshot or tube when they are grouped up deep
Careful not to set the hook too quickly with wacky rigs, wait for the rod to load then lift and reel.
The best way to know when you have a smallie on your line when using a senko is to throw your line, take up the slack and just let the senko sink on its own. The KEY part is to watch your line. DO NOT wait for a tug, by the time the tug may come you may have gut hooked the poor guy. Watch for your line to start moving sideways. Most of the time they will pick it up softly and slowly start to swim with it. So when your line moves one direction that is shouldn't do on its own then set the hook.
Rempy
Thats another reason to fly fishing for them, with a floating line takes are super easy to spot.
Kunni
I am going to try swinging a 6 wt with earplug poppers... and gartside gurglers this summer. cheaper than senko's and frogs
Do you toss any big streamers like clousers or just use trout flies?
sorry to hijack, just curious as i'm going to try using my fly rod this year