hybrid questions

what are some of the good baits to use for them with out a downrigger
at rough river.

I have only fished rough a few times and at the falls on the rough one time. But Hybrid pretty well act the same every where I have fished for them. A good start on the tackle you will need is of course a good rod and reel Hybrids react to weather pretty quick while they prefer cold water these guys can hang in the heat too.
if they are in the jumps rattle traps cast past the jump and retieved just below the bait fish works well. Buck tails curly tail grubs in line spinners, at night under lights live bait and cut bait works chicken liver suspended off bottom will bring them in.
Use shad if you can catch them and suspend them just above where the fish are holding I have caught a few on jerk baits, banjo minnows. just about any thing a bass will hit they will. I also recomend using a strong hook, On Barren I have had them break a 4 0 hook with out slowing down. good luck and let us know how it goes.

thanks for the advise i am heading down to rough this sat rain or shine in hopes of getting into some good action.

Have never fished Rough before, but do fish for Hybrids elsewhere. This time of the year Hybrids tend to concentrate more over deep water and closer to the dam. Check your depth finder for where you are marking bait. Your baits (natural or artifical) need to be around this depth. Without downriggers, Rattle Traps and shad looking cranks are probably your best bet. You can vary the line out for the Traps to get them to run the depth you need. There are a number of cranks made that will dive to certain depths. Pick up a few that will hit a range of depths and select the ones that will dive to the depth that you are marking bait.

The other alternative with articials are jigging spoons. Find a school of Hybrids and work the spoon through them.

Keep a rod rigged up with a topwater bait or spoon/jig in case you see some jumps. Some lakes they'll jump real well, others not so much.

Andrew