Some things work better depending on where you fish and the type of water. What works in ponds and lakes of N. FL may not work as well down around Okeechobee. What works in a phosphate pit might not work in a retainment pond.
I like to try topwater or shallow spinners/buzzbaits in the morning and late evening. Learning to use a plastic worm properly (choice of color, size, rig, etc.) will probably produce more bass, especially big ones, in more conditions than any other bait. Check out this site for some good info on using a worm: http://www.bassresource.com/fish/plasticworms.html
If the water gets deep quick ("deep" in Florida is more than 3 feet!), Rapala Shad raps, Rat-T-Traps, Bombers and other crankbaits can be productive. Just have to learn to use the right retrieve pattern, speed, etc. for your conditions.
Dynamite and dip net
4-6" worm with chartruse tail... I use pumpkin color body. Carolina rigged with a bullet weight just above the hook. My buddy always told me if I fish with him you'll feel 3 thumps... 1st thump is the bass picking up your bait. 2nd it's him spitting it out and the 3rd is getting thumped in the head for not setting the hook!
Ratl traps are great if you are fishing open deep water. In cover they are useless. If I could pick three lures for the rest of my life...1. Pumpkin seed Horny toad rigged with a 5/0 wide gap hook...2.8" culprit worm in tequila sunrise color, rigged texas style...3. gold rapala
When I used to bass fish a lot(before development caused me to lose access to my honey holes) I would buy cases of horny toads and rubber worms directly from the factory
I am not a big bass fishing guy anymore, got the saltwater bug bad nowadays but when my fishing gets slow I always have to remind myself to fish the entire water column, top to bottom.
