What is the best kind of lure to use when you fish a fast river?  Keep in mind that this river flows pretty fast so which you cast a crank bait up river by that time you get it reeled back in your reeling down river. Please help!

Advice for smallmouth fishing on a river:

If you are fishing from a boat, drift live shiners on light line with a split shot rig. Use your trolling motor to keep the boat moving at the same speed your bait is drifting for a natural look. Position the boat so that you can cast to within a few feet of the bank. Cast straight out to the bank and fish at no more than a 45 degree angle, upstream, NEVER downstream.

The better fish are generally 5- 15 yards off the bank. Smaller "bank runners" are up close. Pay special attention to structure in the river, that's where smallmouth ambush their prey.

Another feature to concentrate on is the channel drop. Big smallmouth often suspend on or near these breaks. Don't overlook them.