This is required in order to attract the smaller life-forms of the food chain and, therefore, the larger creatures upon which the big bass may feed. And, finally, the location should ideally have a clean, hard bottom. Sand, clay, gravel and shells are ideal. In general, bass of all sizes avoid mucky or muddy bottom areas. The first equipment difference the shiner angler must note is the requirement for an adequate holding tank for the bait.
Shiners are extremely fragile and have a very low tolerance to heat and low oxygen.
A large portable ice chest, in the 80-100 quart size, will also work well, with the additional installation of an aerator pump. One of the best shiner tanks I have seen was a large plastic garbage can rigged with a large agitator-type aeration system. An adequate shiner rod is roughly equivalent to a 'flipping stick'. Sensitivity is of no particular significance, so expensive graphite is not necessary. The reel is also of minor significance.