In the 70's I used the Evans Shyster a lot with very good success. The fish didn't change, I did. I started throwing heavier bait with a baitcasting reel and they were to light and "old school" for the times. Snagless Sally was a larger inline that also worked well, same story. So I believe that if you make the presentation that the fish will respond. Flash and vibration is present in today's lures as it was then. If they didn't work then there wouldn't be a Worden's rooster tail ever sold, and I've seen rack after rack of them in some stores, and the knockoffs right next to them.
Reducing the learning curve is relative to the time invested. Though you may not spend the time with a pole in your hand there is homework that can be done. For years I spent lots of time reading everything I could get my hands on. Some didn't apply, some I couldn't afford, and some were thinly veiled advertisements. Over time I began to see the same info repeated and looked for different sources. Bassmaster came along and all of a sudden there was a better source of info from guys on the cutting edge. That was all fine but these new magic lures were a spin on the old lures. But the technique and equipment to make the presentation evolved rather quickly. Point is that with the internet and most of all, this site, there are no dumb or unanswered questions. Ask a bass guy about his technique and he'll tell you how to change your oil. Ask anything here and you'll get an answer, and sometimes an even more educated answer. The best teacher is time on the water, no argument. Knowing what to look for and being able to understand what you see will shorten the learning curve in a big way. Remember also that what may work in Minnesota might no work in Alabama, so don't get caught up in looking for the magic bullet.