I'm going to go to our local river this coming week hopefully. Its mostly smallies although there are largemouth too.

So...I've never fished for them before, any tips? Should I just bring smaller worms and spinnerbaits/jigs etc?

I would bring tubes, super flukes and a #2 or #3 silver Mepps Aglia spinner.  Those three baits shouls serve you well.

no need to downsize lures to catch smallmouth

imo they are more aggressive then the bucket mouths and will hit the same size baits

spinners and jigs are good but dont over look a couple of rapalas

A No. 7 or No. 9 floating Rapala is hard to beat for strikes and heart stopping action on a river! Then, when you've settled down a bit and want catch bigger smallies, try Ika's, hooked backwards and drifted down along eddys and into backwaters. Also stock up on a few small sized spinnerbaits. You'll have your hands full - fer sur!  

A tight grip!  

Don't forget your topwater baits. Try every one you have. Keep an eye out for baitfish so you can match the size if possible. It's surprising how small or how large a bait they will sometime hit. A good "no brainer bait" is a 3 or 4" curly tail grub fished on a jighead and just swim it back in. My favorites are the smoke colors with red or blue glitter if you can find them.         lp