I agree, white is to help the fisherman see the bait, not the fish. On pressured water, the more natural you go the quicker the bite. I've had great luck with tubes and on stubborn fish small baits (I think the 3" and 4" Carrot will work great - in the past used Zoom). The drop shot is a super technique. I don't think I know anything of value that you haven't already posted. I will say this, last year for some reason they went nuts over pumpkin (not green pumpkin) and black flake.
