Did you know that surface baits win fewer B.A.S.S. tournaments than any other type of lure? Does that mean you should ignor them? Not at all. But if you don't catch fish quickly don't waste much time before trying something else.

Shallow water of one or two feet isn't just for surface or spinner baits. Try crawling shallow-running crankbaits through cover. It can make the added concern of hanging up a little more often worth the trouble.

When tipping a spinnerbait with a trailer, be it plastic or pork, use a contrasting color. Try a white trailer with a chartreuse skirt or chartreuse trailer with white skirt and you'll get more hits.

Variety is not only the spice of life, it's the way to approach retrieves with any given lure. Vary them until something works and if nothing does, switch baits and start over. And the best retrieve on a given day may not be the way the bait was intended to be fished.

Resist the temptation to strike immediately when a bass explodes on a buzz bait. Drop toward the fish for half a count before you let it know you're there and you'll hook more fish.