That is funny because I got into drop shotting 3" and 5" gulp alive leaches and they produced quite well. I also drop shotted la bunch of other baits this year and they too worked well.
Believe it or not, small shallow running square billed crankbaits in crayfish colours were my go to bait for smallies (replacing the ever-popular tube jig).
I also found that wake baits (storm sub wart and manns 1 minus) were very effective over weed patches for pike. Slow retrieved just under the surface.