Rock bars, windfalls, weed beds, and shoreline boulders are all attached to favorable pools. Mid stream boulder fields also regularly play host to smallmouth bass. Even a single one-foot diameter rock potentially houses a striking fish. Another reason smallmouth bass seek out pools and big rocks is sunlight reduction. Deep pools provide an excellent retreat from summer's penetrating sunshine.
Rocks also give shade, and again, the bigger the better.
Speaking of shade, another little trick for smallmouth fishing is to factor in sunlight angle. Watch for shadows. For instance, as the sun begins setting in the west you should focus on the west bank where shadows are growing. Pools are a phenomenal spot to pull smallmouth bass from, but a typical pool might only be good for one or two fish. And an angler wading downstream might only have a few pools to choose from.