I've been a river fisherman growing up. No problem with live bait. I've moved to a town that has a big although shallow lake. I've bought some lures like plastic worms and crappie lures. It's been a disaster. I keep losing the lures and I can't even tell if I'm hitting bottom or getting a bite. I've searched the internet and everything is for beginners but nothing about transition from river to lake fishing. Any advice for me?

 Fish that live in current have a different attitude to them, especially small mouth. The bass in the lakes I fish usually want a slower retrieve than the ones in the rivers. For example on a river I will usually start with a buzzbait or square bill. On a lake, it's usually a spook, jerkbait, or frog. I don't use live bait, so I can't help you there.

 

That all being said it really depends. What species are you targeting? Where in the country are you fishing? Large mouth bass fishing in Georgia can be a lot different than in New Hampshire.