Early spring xr6 is a solid choice for smallies. then as water warms i stick with the xr8. Sometimes i will toss the 10 but not all that often. Smallies will hammer them all year long. For walleye I have had good luck with the 08.

As for the shad shape, I would agree they work quite well and even better in some situations. I think its the shallow shad x rap? but that works best for bass, at least for me. Trolling a xr08 is really tough to beat for the walleye. if you want deeper try the deep running xraps before going up in size. I know there are alot of believers in "bigger baits catch bigger fish", but i strongly disagree haha. My biggest fish ever have hit on small baits. including a 46in pike on a 3inch bait.

I have seen 44inchers caught on 1/8oz mistertwisters, and I have seen 10inch pike caught on 12inch baits...