John,

I have some good success at lakes like Castaic and Casitas fishing baits such as the Basstrix and Optimum on a slow stop and go type of retrieve on the bottom. I would let the bait go to the bottom and then give it 5-6 cranks and let it fall again. I have had a lot of fish hit it as soon as it hits bottom. The bites have ranged from light pecks like a worm bite to filling like mush or pressure. A lot of guys down my way use this technique and have done really well. Hope this helps you out.

Jeff