Can’t find em in Connecticut

I got a tournament coming up in Connecticut we can fish Candlewood or Squantz. I’ve been up here pre fishing but can only hook into rock bass. Never fished for smallies and I never have fished water this clear so I’m way out of my element here. I’ve hooked 2 small largies but other than that it’s been a bunch of rock bass. Any tips for these water bodies would be greatly appreciated. Not expecting to win as there are a lot of locals fishing the event but I would like to be able to catch some since I made the trip lol. Honestly only came up here cause I wanted to hook my first smallie