They are similar in their predatory habits to the Robbies and there are enormous amounts of literature on the ways to catch them.
Most fish are caught on plastic worms, but this does vary from dam to dam as each appear to have their own special colours and tricks, due to the different local feeding methods etc.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A BAIT CASTING REEL TO FISH FOR THESE FISH (But it does help)

Learning the bite of a Bass on a plastic worm has become a little easier from when I started, with the advent of the Berkeley "Power Baits" which they do not seem to let go, so you can still catch the fish after you miss the first feel of the bite. This helps your confidence incredibly, BUT do not get hooked on the habit of only using Power Baits, as they do not always work.

The theories about "Dark days/Water, Dark lures" etc. is a personal thing, and I have often found this to be the opposite.
I was fishing at Inyankuni with a well known angler, and the water was like MUD, and he used a CLEAR flecked lizard to catch all his fish.

Generally if you can see the Bass, you can find a way to catch him. They are incredibly curious fish, and most times will go over to see what has just arrived in their territory (and consequently try to eat it).

During winter time they are hard to catch, remember they are cold blooded, and move SLOWLY, so you must fish VERY SLOWLY. Give them a chance to get to your lure/worm and have a good look at it.

SMALL TIP
If fishing with a Worm, do not be afraid to cast right into the tree, (If you have rigged your worm for weedless) as that is where they will be sitting.

SMALL TIP
Remember, that when you cast at the structure, your bait drops in arc if you keep your line tight, and so either leave the line loose (but ready to strike), or cast a bit past the structure. Most bites occur on the drop down period.

They are also caught on plugs but often colour and action are quite important for success.