[crustyangler17]

only times i use bait in freshwater whether its natural, live or synthetic:
-catfish/carp
-sometimes power bait, for spring stockies
-live shiners (either wild caught or store bought), for cold water bass/pickerel (usually Nov-Dec, March)
-golden shiners at a local pike fishery in the spring

all other times it is artificials for bass, panfish, pickerel and trout and they work 9/10 times, you just gotta know what to use.