I would disagree on the summer part. They're at least pretty consistent insofar as where they hang out...deeper water, usually. Post spawn seems to be the toughest for me. I 100% agree on slowing down, though, especially if you're marking bait, etc.

Just like any fishing, it's about location, conditions and bait/presentation (maybe least important). Read the reports here and on FB. You may not get an exact spot but you'll get an idea of where fish are staging. Pick a good weather day if you can-low pressure and cloudy are good. Then find a bait you like and stick with it until you can present it with some confidence. Color matters some days but you'll find that most bodies of water have a couple of colors that work well consistently.

Here's what works for me 95% of the time-single jig pole, 6 lb high vi line, hair jig with a nibble (chartreuse sparkle). My three favorite color hair jigs are orange/chartreuse, black/chartreuse, and pink/chartreuse. I'll drop it next to structure slowly until I get a bite. Then I'll try to stay that depth for the rest of the trip. I rarely jig it unless that's the only way they want it (less than 10% of the time). I have a tackle box full of crap that I bought when I first started and I've caught fish on most of the stuff but hair jigs are just so easy.

I'm no pro compared to the others here but always come home with mess of fish.