I tended to stick to baits that work consistently along with the rig/s suited to the venue. So have these with me each time. Different baits fish effectively at different length of time in the water. Octi can sit there for 45 minutes, squid slightly less and fish less again and can be washed out by the swell. Shellfish even less again especially with small fish around. All these are learnt with time.
I would focus on the moon phase that catches along with stage of the tide, low throughout or over the top and ebbing tide. Time of the year is also a factor for a number of species they are not always within casting range.
Different venues produce at different times. (Usually, sometimes).