My most effective bait was a white Chatterbait with a white grubworm trailer. The flash and vibration of this bait worked really well and I caught a nice 2 pounder and a couple of pound and a half smallies on this bait.
We also had some luck with leadhead jigs rigged with white grubs as well as Carolina rigged lizards. Overall it was a great trip and I would tell anyone who has never been to the New River to visit. It's a great place to canoe, kayak, fish and camp and is one of the prettiest places you'll ever see.