Circumstances such as the amount of light, wind chop and cloud cover each play a part in terms of fish activity levels and feeding patterns, on any given day. Bass are especially susceptible to wood surface baits in the fall when they stay in warmer, shallower water for long periods of time. They seem to know that winter is on the way and increase their feeding activity as they sense the coming cold. This is when surface lures are at their best. Accurate casting is essential if you wish to catch many bass.
Mere inches can mean the difference between a fish and none.
Casts should be made to openings in or near cover such as underneath or alongside a dock, inches away from a stickup, between lily pads, over submerged objects which lie just under the surface, etc. Bass feed on large organisms such as crayfish, minnows, salamanders or frogs. Bass are savage and aggressive eaters and, whether it's a plug fished just under the surface or on top, you'll have no doubt about the strike. Bass normally only see the silhouette of the plug on dark or cloudy days. This is when dark baits work best, while chrome or light shades work best during bright light conditions.