How to choose what bait to throw?

[JackstrawIII]

On 8/20/2023 at 9:20 PM, MIbassyaker said:

usually want at least one topwater, one mid-depth, and one bottom presentation, as well as some lures I can work horizontally some lures I can work vertically.  As long as I have those bases covered, I'm usually confident I can at least get a strike by something, and when I do, I make finer adjustments from there.

This is basically what I try to do. 
 

I think it’s less about finding the right baits and more about finding the fish… and making the right presentation to them. If they’re under docks, it doesn’t really matter if you throw a Ned, a Senko, or a craw (in my experience). If they’re on weed edges, a Paddletail or a Texas rigged creature perform about the same (in my experience). 
 

I think that finding the first fish is the hardest. Once you get bit, just repeat what you did in similar places for similar results. 

[Darth-Baiter]

i have two choices.  bottom contact or reaction.  i start there.   i have my favorites, but i am cool with offering choices to the fish.