Don't be a purist. Use live bait. Try to match it with what the fish normally feed on.

Using lighter fishing lines. The small size line can't be seen as well. In order to use those light lines, it's a must to have a good working drag on your reel.

Smaller, sharper hooks work just as well as the big ones - sometimes even better.

Try to fish for the type of fish that maybe spawning or hitting. The way to find this out is to spend some time on the phone calling bait shops. You could spend some time hanging out at a good one, listening and talking several days prior to when you are planning a trip, and plan accordingly.

Start on the bottom and work your way to the top in stages. Once you catch a fish, try to keep your bait at that depth and just move around until you find where they are hiding. If you aren't catching, move until you do. Keep repeating the procedure. Bluegill, crappie, white bass, black bass, sauger, etc!! are all schooling fish. This means more than one around. Once I find them, we usually catch a bunch.

Pioneer Thinking