Big Muddy

I'm new to fishing bass on big rivers. I just started fishing them on the Mississippi River boundary waters between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Where do I have to look to find spawning beds for smallies? Are they off the main channel or above or below wing dams? Same question for largemouth. I'm quite sure they don't spawn on the main channel, but what type of bottom should I look for and in how much water? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I was looking at that head and thinking the same thing. Now that we've established which head I'm going to try first, I'll have to figure out what plastic to use on it. I'm guessing it should be something with a floating tail.............Any suggestions?

Will this technique work on the Mississippi where there is current or is this a lake/impoundment thing. I'm curious about the presentation. Is it as simple as hop-pause?

I am looking for any info on "shakey head" jig fishing. I have only heard of this technique lately and was wondering how it is done and under what circumstances. I do know it is a finesse-type technique. Any info (jig type, plastics used, conditions) would be greatly appreciated.