If fishing a pond where the fish are fed commercial feed, you really can't beat whole kernel corn. But it is sort of a specialty item, for special situations.
A small black jig is great if you tip it with a meal worm or piece of shrimp.
A small beetle spin is great with they are bedding. So is a tiny Rebel crank bait, crawfish style and color.
If I were going to a strange reservoir I'd use the black jig and meal worm. That's pretty foolproof. If the fish are there, they'll hit it. Full moons in April-October her are expecially good times to fish.
Don