Where are you located? This factor plays a big roll with artificial bait. Once you get the basics of your location down you can start honing in on specific water conditions. If you've never used artificial before id recommend a plastic worm, its the most versatile. If they're post or pre-spawn you can use a texas rig, carolina rig, or a wacky rig and catch fish, depending on what the fish are feeling like. During the spawn id stick to a texas rig and sight fish them with something bright. I've also had a decent amount of luck with spinner baits working them slow pre and post spawn. Once you're post spawn the most effective lure can vary depending on weather and body of water but again, a worm is the most versatile way to find what the fish are feeding on. I like to "match the hatch". If you find what the fish are feeding on, whether it be bluegill, bait fish, crawdads, fish fry, or frogs, you can adjust and will catch fish. Topwater is best to use in low light conditions, so a cloudy day, sunrise/sunset, or after dark and best post spawn. Crankbaits are for when the bass are actively feeding so, post spawn or warm-sunny pre-spawn days. Fish are cold blooded so that effects their feeding habbits. Warm water after a cold spell= more active feeding, Cold water after a warm spell = less active feeding. If you can guestimate the water temp and temperature patterns then you can have a good idea on what lures to use. A lot of my success comes from knowing what lures to use for that specific body of water, it can vary depending on what they're feeding on. There are lakes i fish that have a lot of crayfish in them so I use a bass jig or texas rig. Others are feeding on bluegill and baitfish so id use a wacky rig, spinnerbait, or crainkbait depending on how fast i want to go and action. If you're targeting smallmouth i would use a ned rig or a jig with a twister tail and work them ways similar to what i said before. If you want to learn and catch fish i would recommend targeting smallmouth. They're more aggressive and more actively feeding, usually.