Im up in the North West and the lakes im doing my bass fishing are all right around 51 degrees currently and dropping... I have never fished bass in the winter, so my question is what should my approach be? What should I use? How should I use it? When to use it? Etc... Please advise 

I suggest you start here, if you haven't already:

http://www.bassresource.com/seasonal-fishing-articles#winter

http://www.bassresource.com/seasonal-fishing-articles#fall

 

There's a TON of information on every season...much of it contradicts itself, so standby....mostly, slow down....

 

 

and if that doesn't work, speed up 

Plastics worked slow along the bottom are a good choice along with a jerkbait. My water is super cold right now but you can always catch some fish with plastics. I got 4 today in the little bit I was out all on soft plastics baby dbomb and missile craws. Only caught 1 on the craw but it was around 3 3/4#. When the water is cold they bite is much more subtle usually.