My son Matthew and I got together for our annual trip to Quetico in June. My oldest son David was unable to attend this year. Matt and I fished lakes and rivers north of Crooked and for 8 days, he never took off his 1/8 ounce buzzbait. (actually, he did go through a number of them but always replaced it with another one) I modify my baits by attatching a treble stinger with something tied to it (crystal flash, bucktail, flashabou, ect). I also tie the front attatchment section closed so that we can use snaps without the snap moving back on the bait. Where there were pike (every lake we fished but Argo), we also used a small wire leader made with a Berkely crosslok snap and Tyger wire. He kept track of how many smallmouth he landed on two of the days and each day the count was over 50, with many over 18" and his largest almost 21". I know that he lost as many as he landed but he wouldn't use another bait. I'm pretty sure that other baits would have worked as well for him and might of had a better hookup ratio, but I don't think he would have enjoyed himself more with any other bait. My brother Jim also uses a 1/8 ounce buzzbait in small streams for Smallies. The last two times we went out, that was the only bait HE used.
Speaking of Quetico, if anyone is planning a trip there in the future, PM me and I will try to help you with your routing, campsite choices, etc. I have been there almost every year since 1981. My only condition is that you promise to obey all regulations and, although legal, not to kill any Smallies.