River fishing

[NolinProwler]

Hello, I have a few questions for the vets out there.

My dad owns some land off of Nolin River, so I always go fishing there. I really just started getting into fishing this year. I've never caught a bass, or anything besides a cat, over 1 lb., anywhere. So, I'm pretty wet behind the ears.

Anyways, the Nolin is pretty muddy, with visibility as low as 6 inches sometimes(and places). This year its actually rather clear, but I digress. It is also very shallow. Very few holes are deeper than 6 Ft., and I've never heard of one more than 7(talking summer time, as its too difficult to fish when the river is up). I have a few problems with this river and its bass population.

First off, I'm not sure it has a huge bass population. They don't stock the river or the lake, because its a self sustaining system. Secondly, I'm forever getting hung up in the submerged logs. There are thousands of them up and down the river. What is the best way to fish this river(or any river) for bass?

I'm always using a grub, because they cost about a dime. Saves a lot of money when I'm losing about 3 lures per trip. I try out different colors a lot. Usually use white or yellow. Sometimes a brown with specks in it. Could this lure be causing my performance to suffer? Any suggestions on a cheap effective lure?

One last question; How close to the banks should my cast be? Right on the bank? Because that's how I lose a lot of lures, since there are roots and logs in the water. Do the bass not respond if the lure is not close to the bank? Any tips are apperciated!

Thanks!

Actually, I use a kayak for the river now, so I don't lose too many lures, anymore. I just go out, and get it. Its just very, very frustrating to be doing that every few cast.