Howdy Jim,
So many easy questions for people to answer... LOL!
Those are all excellent questions, and I don't feel totally qualified to answer, but I will let you know what I've done in the past. Caution: I've got a lot of time on my hands at the moment = long response!
In our state, there are a few general scenarios we find for bass. This list isn't exhaustive, but it should hit the main areas:
1) A natural, shallow lake with largemouth only. These type of lakes are all over Washington, especially south King and Pierce Counties. Silver Lake (Cowlitz Co.), Lawrence Lake, North Lake, Steel Lake, and Long Lake (Kitsap Co.) are all good examples. They are usually tea-stained water, the bottom is bowl-shaped, and there are lots of weeds around the shoreline edges.
2) A moderately deep natural lake with smallmouth and largemouth. Places like Spanaway Lake, Lake Stevens, and Lake Sawyer are good examples.
3) A large canyon-type reservoir dominated by smallies. Banks Lake and Lake Roosevelt. You might even include Riffe Lake on this kind of list.
4) Shallow, shrub-steppe Columbia Basin lakes like Potholes, Sprague, etc.
5) Rivers... But I don't know Jack-diddley about fishing a river for bass. I hope to start learning soon, though!
Of course there are more types of lakes, and those descriptions are general, but let's start with that.
Lake #1. These are the type of lakes I like to just put the trolling motor down and start frothing the water with casts. Any type of shoreline structure should be hit: docks, weedbeds, logs, undercut banks, etc. The only way to learn a lake is to start fishing it and not thinking too much! If you see any type of structure like a shallow point, follow it out and see what it does. That is the way you find good offshore areas.
On these types of lakes I would mainly throw things like senkos, gitzits, jigs, and maybe a crankbait if I have confidence for that time of the year to throw one.
Lake #2: Anything can work on these type of lakes, and the lure selection will vary. I think it is more important to start doing homework on these types of lakes, because there is more water available for the fish, and they could literally be anywhere. Talk to locals or folks in the club for tips, but don't get too stuck on what they say. Follow your gut if you have an idea. These lakes are usually varied enough in habitat that you can use your knowledge of the bass' seasonal habits to move around, eliminate water, and find fish... Dropoffs near spawning flats in the spring, docks and deeper points in the summer, etc.
Lake #3: Ok, for these large lakes, preparation is really important. It can be hard to hop on a 28,000 acre reservoir and start finding fish. Get a map, eliminate areas that don't look right, and maybe even choose an area you want to concentrate on for the day. Time on the water and going out with someone who knows the area are the only true ways to learn. Every lake has its own intricacies (spelling?).
Lake #4: Approach those pretty much like lake #1.
Jim, as I read back over what I wrote, I am realizing it is pretty general information and probably not all that helpful. But here is my main point... Bass fishing is full of opinions, and none of 'em are right all the time!!!
The only opinion that matters is the one that helps you catch fish for the particular day you are fishing. The next person that posts here will probably disagree with a lot of things I said... but that is ok, and that is why bass fishing is so fun. You just never know what is going to work on a given day.
My advice: Gather a few lures that you have had luck with in the past. Stick with them and throw them religiously. Instead of wondering if a different color lure would be better, pay attention to where the fish are located and how they are behaving. Once you gain confidence in locating fish for a certain lake, refine your lure arsenal to fit your personal needs. Locating fish is first priority, figuring our new lures second, in my opinion.
Best fishes,
Chris