I use silver buddies alot for smallies and spots starting in the fall.Find deeper structure ie..creek channels,rockpiles and other breaks.You can fish them like a spoon(vertical jigging) but they really work best for me when I toss it out and let it sink on a semislack line(you might get bit as it falls).Once it is on the bottom you want to raise the rod tip from about 9.00 to 11.00.You are kinda worming it back to the boat with little lifts.reel in the slack as it falls and hang on! the smallies really hammer these baits and they are great for cold,deep,clesr water.I also have alot of success fishing them for stripers on the delta.:)

good luck and happy fishing:7
p.s. A little tip for ya,bend the tail a little with some needlenose.It makes the bait vibrate more on the fall.
Swampy