new to bass fishing: help

Hi,
I have fished a lot when younger but bass was not part of my education!
I have now rekindled with fishing with my 8yo son. Today he caught his two first small pumpkinseeds and got spiked!
But we've had no luck with anything bigger. Some bites but no fish.
Anyone has any tips on locations and lures? The right colors? Good videos to help us figure out what we have been doing wrong until now?
We want to stick to lures even though shiners would certainly be easier. No boats.
We've tried menotomy pond, spy pond eastern front, today the mystic just below the lakes and went to winter lake only to find it pretty dried up and unfishable.
Cheers!

I have kids about that age- distractions and consistency in following instructions can be a big problem- so I try and keep them to "fool proof" lures whenever I can - for mine floating or shallow diving crankbaits are best. Including ones like Rebel Pop R / Rapala fat Rap - I take off back treble hook to minimize injury to fish and our fingers - most snag front hooks anyway

Start with smaller ones - more activity with panfish and small bass

black/silver/white Bluegill/bass/perch colors seem to work consistently

Cast it out all over - - count to five then try a bunch of different retrieves - steady one time, then stop and wait a few times, then real slow with stops

Texas-rigged senko, man. A very simple yet versatile bait. And it catches a ton of fish, which is why all the "real" fishermen make fun of it.

Regardless, it's a great bait to get someone hooked on fishing.

Thanks for the advices. I have some senkos but have mostly attempted the wacky type rig. Any advice on colors?
I'll probbaly buy a few crankbaits for my son. fished one today after those many years and and it was fun to feel it work indeed!

Texas-rigged rubber worms are great and cheap, smaller baits for pumpkinseeds,.... I would stay away from crank baits or anything with treble hooks.

http://www.basspro.com/Zoom-Shakey-Tail-6/product/90811/

http://www.basspro.com/Kalins-Lunker-Grubs/product/13048/

anyone ever fishes with shads (http://www.mistertwister.com/information/sassy-shadreg/436#description~3SA10%2032) ? Only asking because I have a fair few of those in various colors and used to like them but i was fishing pike and perch in France back then! Conditions are likely to be different here and now!

I'll be getting some tailed worms soon but i am short on grubs.

Water temperature: I hear largemouth doesn't like cold water. When does that become too cold?

Again, I am quite sure I also don't fish right but it's hard to figure out what I am doing wrong given all the variables!

Shallow ponds remain active right up until ice. The deeper the pond the tougher it becomes fishing from shore as the fish will move to the deeper water. Just keep experimenting until you find something that works. Every pond will fish a little different. Good luck!

Cool.
I'm very happy to see some responses.
Just after posting my initial post, I came accross the post "fishing spots destroyed by MAFF" and was really put away by the animosity towards newcomers I believe strongly in education at all levels!

Is there anywhere something that lists the depth of ponds?

In any case, I have good starters and will keep trying

Check out the navionics app. I am always fishing new spots and it has most of the depth charts for the places around. Also http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/maps-destinations/state-pond-maps.html has a basic pond maps and depth charts. Good luck