I keep hearing this, but I just have not experienced it unless the river is rising or it is overcast, rainy etc. I think the same rules apply, that other than first and last light it’s finesse or topwater (if it’s cloudy/shaded.)

 

I should mention I’m in a humid subtropical climate where summer water temps hang in the upper 70s-low 80s so I understand there is some variance.

I fished a smallie river a month or two ago. Day 1 was normal levels and clear water. We caught good fish primarily on neds and natural colored jerkbaits. Day 2 the water came up about a foot and a half and got dirty. We caught maybe 60% as many fish, but had more big fish. One guy had an obnoxiously bright jerkbait that outfished everything else 5:1 and caught the biggest few fish of the day. We caught a few on neds day 2, but nowhere near as many as day 1.

While I don’t often intentionally float when the river is muddy (coffee and cream colored) on the occasions when muddy water has overtaken me or I’ve overtaken it, I have found that the only success I’ve had has been with what I consider noisy lures.  I rely almost exclusively on dark spinnerbaits with Colorado blade and bladed jigs. It is my belief that smallies hold a little tighter and a little longer to cover/structure so the key, I think, is a slower, steady retrieve as close to the target as possible.  It has not been my impression that a smallie will chase too far in muddy conditions.

I might have missed out on some fish, but I never contemplated throwing a topwater when visibility approached zero.  

My river doesnt blow out that often. When it does happen my smallies leave their haunts and i rarely find them. 

When i do catch one it is almos always on a deep inside bend with a ned or a finesse worm.

 

A crankbait hasnt worked in mud for me

 

I admit to being prejudiced because I love crankbait fishing, but I have found that going with a larger size than normal crankbait with rattles will produce in muddy water. I work the lure along current seams, and in calmer water. Shallow flats and sheltered bays with almost no current can be especially productive for me. If I can find rock rip-rap I will cast parallel to the bank and try to get the lure to deflect off the rocks. I start very close to shore and then make casts moving deeper/farther out from shore until I find the depth they seem to be holding at.  I also have some success using spinnerbaits. Color does not seem to matter much but having big blades (Colorado blades preferred) that give a lot of thump are the best. Work the spinnerbait as slowly as possible while keeping the blades turning. I have found that casting the bait downstream and cranking it back slowly against the current can be very successful. I almost never retrieve a spinnerbait against the current in clear water, but it seems to work for me in heavily stained to muddy water.  I would add that if the water has come up a lot and is flowing MUCH faster than normal, than all bets are off for me.  

So I’m planning on fishing a muddy/stained river tomorrow and I have never caught a fish on the river. Always catch in ponds or small lakes. And NEVER caught a smallmouth. 
 

I’ve used spinnerbaits, chatter baits, multiple top waters, crank baits and senkos. Considering I am a bank fisherman and don’t have access to a lot of secret or hidden areas on the river, I’m usually close to a walking/bike path and consistent traffic flowing around. Just nothing to be proud of. 
 

I'm driving about 30 minutes away tomorrow to this easy, side of the road, river access point by a dam. I’m planning on picking up 2 dozen shiners to go along with my 5/0 circle hooks to hopefully increase my chances of scoring something, hopefully a smallmouth. Shiners are running $5.99/dozen so I thought I would try. 🤔

 

Any suggestions or recommendations for me. Thank you for any advice!!

Throw a plastic Helgramite in the muddy water.  The smallies will find it 😉

Smallmouth tend to hug structure or cover in muddy water.  Target the slower water along the bank or behind/around current breaks.  Putting bait around cover like laydowns or weedbeds can be productive.  My best results have been with Colorado bladed spinnerbaits.  Rattle traps, and buzzbaits have caught a few. I’ve also managed to catch a few with topwater prop baits.  I rely on a steady, often slower than usual retrieve.  Use colors that contrast with the water.  If darker colors don’t attract a bite, I’ll go to the other extreme with white, chartreuse, etc.  I don’t use live bait, but I don’t know why it wouldn’t work in the same areas as artificials.

That’s a huge hook for a shiner, unless it’s a golden shiner