Reply #6: For bass, plastic worms have always been reliable...

[SteveM]

I've also used small top-water lures by Rapala with good success, esp. in the evening near structure.

One method is to use very small perch as live bait. I catch them on very light tackle (a Shakespeare close-faced using worms or bread), then hook them near the tail with a float above (various depth), and cast the whole affair into an area pretty free of structure, pads, etc. Very common practice in Florida, but works in Texas also.