ORIGINAL: ready2fish
Spend some time catching "riffle runners". They can be caught on a size 22 hook tipped with a maggot. Probably the best Allegheny River bait IMHO.
Fish the runners on a size 6 bait hook, and a split shot, sized to match the current. Target any break in current, and any deeper runs and holes you may encounter.
Bings is spot on also, stickbaits work well.
WOW, I didn't know anyone else did that!! We used a tiny piece of crawler on basically what I think was a dry fly hook. Used to catch them in the afternoons and use em for bait in the mornings and evenings. And we always used size 2 hooks while drifting down the river. Best fishing I ever experienced.
A friend's family had a place right on the river in Venango County, thats the only way they would get bait.