I only like big baits and I only fish shallow...Have zero confidence in small baits and fishing where I can't throw to visible objects...Can I still be great bass angler with those 2 issues
Big bait Big Fish can't get it out of my head..When pickup worms 7.5 look so small always gravitate to 10-12" worms...Not trying to makeup for anything either lol

Yes, you can still be a great bass angler with that approach. But you'll never be a complete angler. You'll rule the shallows if they're up and biting but, when they're not, you're going to have some disappointing days when guys are smoking the fish offshore. Plus, you'll be missing out on some of the best numbers of big fish by not fishing deep when they're ganged up out there.

Complete Angler is what will eat at me

You will love the wintertime when they get off the big stuff!!

They do or dont like big stuff in winter?

i think what he's saying is you'll get more bites in the cold weather months by down-sizing your presentation.

if you don't you might still get some bites and some big fish but they will be fewer in the winter.

"Can I still be great bass angler with those 2 issues?" - you could be, some anglers become great within a niche. To be truly great I think you need to be much more versatile. Maybe after you become great at big baits you can expand your horizons. Good luck!

^^^ This^^^

One of my largest bass (9.5 lbs) came off Bomber's smallest crankbaits.....about the size of a "crappie miner" crankbait...small lures do catch big fish....

If your gonna only fish shallow learn how to dominate with a jig. Also learn how to fish deeper, not offshore but I mean for example trees 8-12FOW you will be very disappointed if you only limit yourself to fishing shallow.

You'll have some great days shallow with big baits. You'll also have some days where you swear there's not a fish in the lake.

can you be "great " , possibly but not likely . Bass , especially big bass spend the majority of time in deeper water . They come shallow to spawn find food and cover . They only come shallow for food if they can't find it deeper .
Bass that are big , have spent their entire life trying NOT to be eaten themselves . Confidence is what it takes to use new lures . I used to throw spinnerbaits , but never had good success , so I would put them down after about 20-30 casts .One day , just before heading home , I move to a cove and pull out a 1/2oz white spinnerbait , 45 minutes later , I landed about 25-30 2lb to 3lb bass ----I have been addicted to spinnerbaits ever since . Now I throw one for 100 - 200 casts before switching up. Spinnerbaits have added about half dozen DD bass for me . For the size question , my PB is 12.5 lbs on a Crigged 4.5" worm.
tight lines ,
Robb

Add a wieghtless watermelon super fluke on a 3/0 heavy wire offset shank hook to your shallow water arsenal. It best mimics small break and shad in our n Texas lakes and you will catch some Giants. Throw it in the same places you are your big baits but slow way way down like smoke a cig per cast slow or are least while its in the sweet spot. But as others have said you have to get off shore at times. By the way notice I didn't say deep like 20-30 ft. There are shallow untouched main lake spots on that are relatively shallow that can be loaded in the dead of winter and summer. But when you find that stacked up deep bite you may not go back shallow except for the spawn.

You can only fish shallow and be a great fisherman. you just have to be smart. John Cox does nothing but fish shallow and look at his success. I have been fortunate to catch 5 DD's in the last 3 years and not a one of them have came less than 10 foot and they were caught in both winter and summer. Learn to look for the subtleties that the average bank fisherman won't. Be confident in your presentations. Learn to be stealthy. Know when to slow down and when to speed up. I can tell you, if you do not have any confidence offshore, you are wasting time. You can compete anywhere shallow if you put in the time and effort.