Made a run up river, hoping to catch white perch spawning and maybe a hickory shad or two.

Dead.

After 2 hours, caught a fallfish.
Maybe 8". Maybe.
That was it.

Out of boredom I found a long green branch, made a knott mess of heavy braid I found, and did catch a number of lures, floats, etc out of the trees along the banks.

Sun was shining, gobblers gobbling, skunk cabbage up.
Not a bad way to kill a few hours.

Have been having good luck catfishing, but trying to mix it up a little

Sounds like you made the best of it. You know what they say, worst day fishing…
As a side note, I am unfamiliar with any of the fish you mentioned.