Suspending crankbaits or jerkbaits are probably the best lure in the prespawn, along with old reliable soft jerkbait. I like to weight a small #4 risto rap with suspendots so it rises about a foot every 3 seconds. Usually takes 2 or 3 dots. Just crank it in a little and then pause it. The line will usually suddenly tighten and then a bass has grabbed it.
I use spinnerbaits for getting nice smallies this time of year in lakes.I find smallies close to the docks where largemouth are in the summer, or riprap by the dams.I also like to use tubes.After the spawn, the smallies go deep and are hard to pattern.