texas rigged 7" power worm. Blue flek, green pumpkin, or red shad.

Put like a 1/8-1/4oz weight on there depending on the wind.

If it worked like magic last year but not this year it ain't the bait my man. I would look first at the application or technique. Us bass fishermen can be a pretty stubborn lot sometimes. I know that I will throw things at times when I know they won't work just because they have produced in the past.
It seems like you are very detailed so I would consult your notes from last year if possible. Look at all of the factors that produced, not just th bait.

If an area looks good and they are not chasing a Crankbait or Spinnerbait go with a wacky rigged dinger and slow down.

crankbait and plastic worm are simple enough

put on a spinnerbait, plastics, chatterbait, and even the buzz bait if you have to because those bass are gping shallow now ad they are feeding well the males are at least.

And you still have confidence in them because...

This question is like asking what my favorite tool is; the right answer is which ever one does the best at getting the result I want.

I understand wanting to simplify but maybe look at it like this: pick one or two baits that move vertically and one or two that move horizontally. Choose the ones that you have the most confidence in, fish them consistantly then focus on fish location.

KVD sells lures but his success lies in finding active fish.

If you'll buy you a handful of quality spinnerbaits and throw them all day for four trips you will become a better fisherman and learn alot.Tandem 3/8 in white/chartruese, white, and chartruese will suffice.For blades silver/silver, silver/gold,gold/gold and silver/copper.Have all three tied on and throw each at the same piece of cover.Never, and I repeat never let the bait go out of sight.Fish it no deeper than you can see it.Cast past your target and reel till the bait comes into view...let it fall near your cover and then pop iy up and continue retrieve.Your stuck in a plastics slump and will never become versatile till you can at learn to fish at least three of the four major lures.Plastics,topwater,spinnerbaits, and cranks.Give it a try and see if you don't get back on your game. powdr

Earlier this year I got into a funk when the bite slowed down. I realized that I need to fish slower so I forced myself to downsize the weight of my lure. Sometimes it works under the right conditions.

Just hang in there spring getting full swing everybody gets to tinkin they are bad dudes when spring getsinfll effect. I know guys who are in a slump all year xcept april...... Then they think they are the ultimate bass fisherman.

And quit counting how man fish you catch. Just enjoy the time on the water and you wont be so focused and thinkin the whole day "i gotta catch a fish i gotta" the best way to get in a slump is to think you are in a slump. Best way to get out is quit givin a darn if you catch fish or not.