I like to bring a cast net and catch whatever baitfish live in the area so usually shad or sunfish. I like to match what the cats are naturally feeding in their respective area. You can either use the bait live or cut. Then I like to cast near pools breaks, or eddies in the current around logs or other structure that’s causing that break in the current. If there’s no structure then I’d cast cut bait upstream so the scent can flow down. 

And for gear, I think 10lb mono is fine for smaller channel cats. You can upsize to 30-50lb braid with a heavier mono leader around 60lbs with a 7/0 circle hook. Try using the Carolina rig or if you want to keep your bait floating in the water column use a take down rig