They come in several varieties. One type has a wire frame with one or two prop-type blades that gives a buzzing, gurgling sound as it comes through the water, and a skirt on the back to give it color and bulk. Another type is an inline buzzbait like the Top Prop. Just cast it out and start reeling as soon as it hits the water, keeping the bait on top of the water. You can cover a lot of area quickly with this bait.
Good colors are white, chartreuse, or a combination of both.
Casting spoons like the Johnson, Arrowhead and Timber Doodle are great fished through vegetation. Although it is a spoon-shaped bait, made of metal, it does rise to the surface of the water if retrieved at the right speed. They usually have a weed guard that keeps them from hanging up and the metal gives off a flash something like a spinnerbait blade does. You can even add a trailer to change the color. There are several soft plastic baits, like the Mann's Ghost, Scum Frog, Snag-Proof and other frog and mice baits.