I typically adhere to the translucent rule, keeping the bait’s presence as subtle as possible and mostly sticking to finesse, especially if it’s sunny.  
 

What is your go to arsenal on blue bird, low and slow clear days in your streams?

In my river, right now they are biting a translucent blue back spybait.

Smaller, natural color plastics.  Tubes, ned rigs, and wacky worms.  On cloudy days you can probably try a more aggressive approach.

Gitzit, Baby Diaper Yellow

BPS Tender Tube #72

Rage Menace

Rage Structure Bug

1 hour ago, roadwarrior said:

Gitzit, Baby Diaper Yellow

BPS Tender Tube #72

Rage Menace

Rage Structure Bug

All of these in rivers?

Clear streams sounds like Smallmouth bass and summer is a good time to use bottom baits that look like Darner dragon fly nymphs, everything eats them.

Try Fishlab natural nymphs on nose hook short drop shot or 3/32 oz mushroom/Ned jig. Yamamoto 3” Craw is another good choice, 1/8oz ball head jig.

Tom

The dog days and heading into fall I do get those clearer water conditions. Not sure when it will arrive, we have been getting swamped with rain. 
 

I throw a lot of crankbaits on the river all season but in those clearer situation I’m definitely throwing more of a natural color. Gizzard Shad’s, Tenn. Shad, chromes w/ blue black or green backs, olive and dark green, browns and purple. Gold w/ black back is a fave. I lay off of some brighter or hi-viz stuff. But chart. w/ black or blue back and versions of firetiger will work all season. Spring craw will work all season. 
 

I don’t change anything with my soft plastics. 

31 minutes ago, WRB said:

Clear streams sounds like Smallmouth bass and summer is a good time to use bottom baits that look like Darner dragon fly nymphs, everything eats them.

Try Fishlab natural nymphs on nose hook short drop shot or 3/32 oz mushroom/Ned jig. Yamamoto 3” Craw is another good choice, 1/8oz ball head jig.

Tom

What about TRD craw?

The Dry Creek Tournament Tube in Old Ugly has been catching river smallies for a while. I’m sure any tube in a natural color would work; I just like the slim profile of the Tournament Tube. The Rage Menace on a jighead (1/8-1/4oz) is also a good pick. Any <3in bait (ned baits, dropshot baits, grubs, swimbaits, etc.) on a smaller jighead will get the job done in really tough conditions. If you have a good amount of current, a 4-5in worm on a flickshake rig does will for drifting in the seams. Small walking baits like the Heddon Boyo or SB77.7 can pull fish up even in low, clear water in the middle of a sunny day. I prefer topwater when I’m working areas without much depth or structure because I can cover water. 
 

River smallies are aggressive and easy to catch; don’t overthink it. 

 

2 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

All of these in rivers?

I only fish the Tennessee River,  Cumberland and White River (AR)  plus 

impoundments  on these rivers. The Tennessee and Cumberland are stained,

but the White is gin clear.

 

1 hour ago, Buzzbaiter said:

River smallies are aggressive and easy to catch; don’t overthink it. 

*smaller (<15”) river smallies are aggressive and easy to catch ?

 

Outside of spring and fall, anything over 18 is an accomplishment. 

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What about TRD craw?

Sure, give it try!

The Fishlab Nymph has 4 flapping little back wings, really cool detail to trigger strikes.

Tom

3 hours ago, WRB said:

Sure, give it try!

The Fishlab Nymph has 4 flapping little back wings, really cool detail to trigger strikes.

Tom

Yeah it looks hyper realistic. Pumpkin or black?

xzone lures slammer on the lightest hover rig head. theyve been crushing it!