I have had some luck using a modified drop-shot rig. Using 2# line I tie a big dropper loop a couple of feet up the line and cut the loop at the top end. Then I tie a small (8,10,12) size hook to that hanging part of the dropper loop and put a small drop-shot sinker about 18 inches down. Fish with waxworms, redworms, I even saw somebody using this rig catch really big ones with a tiny piece of mackerel off the shore at Perris. Using the drop-shot and the hanging line allows your bait to be more active and move around a little more.
Sometimes the magic works, and sometimes...oh well, it was a nice day at the lake.