I've never had the chance to catch a smallmouth before, but I know they do inhabit the waters nearby my place, ive just never caught one. It's always been largemouth, or rare instances, spotted bass

They are gorgeous fish and put up good fights much like their largemouth and spotted cousins. I have heard they prefer rocky structures? Is this true? Can they be found in places like submerged trees and brush?. What water clarity is more conducive to success with smallmouth? I know lure/bait wise, they for the most part like what their cousin species like.

What are good lures for smallmouth fishing from the bank?

Smallmouths do prefer the rocky structure. Do you fish spinnerbaits at all?

X2 on the rocks. Hard structure in general is good. Rocks, concrete, bridge pilings, boulders....

they also seem to have a preference for more oxygenated water than their largemouth cousins. Cooler water and moving water, as a general rule of thumb, have these higher levels of oxygen (which is why you don't typically find a smallies in the backwaters /sloughs of the deep south where the monstrous largemouth are).

I'd look for rockpiles, areas where streams are entering and churning oxygen into the lake, or the streams themselves. As far as baits, it is hard to beat grubs, tubes, and 4 inch senkos.

Don't pass up trees, especially in current.  I think that largemouth<=>wood, Smallmouth<=>rock thing was invented by a writer, not a fisherman.  I catch big smallies near wood all the time. I also catch Largemouth near big rocks all the time.  Big rocks in rivers creat current breaks, which is what you are really looking for.  Current breaks and cover.

Smallmouths do prefer the rocky structure. Do you fish spinnerbaits at all?

When I find a place where the water is deep enough I do.

Thanks for the great advice fellas, glad I found this place. Yall know your bass very well!! I like the friendly environment here.