Artifical bait is a waste of money. Ignore claims that fish can't tell the difference or they taste just like the real thing (mmm I can't believe it's not lugworm, yeah right). The only artificial bait worth it place in my tackle box are lures. Spinning is best done when you know fish are about and where deep water is close in e.g. steep beaches, rocks, piers etc. I like to spin when I prematurely run out of bait. Children who do not yet developed the virtue of patience and winge to check the bait every three seconds can be kept quiet by spinning.
It has been said a million times that most lure are designed to catch anglers not fish. One summer I walked along Whitby pier which was packed with people fishing for mackerel. The mackerel shoals could easily be seen yet only a few anglers were landing them. Many lures on sale are designed for the American market. Americans are blessed with shores full of huge predatory fish, we are not. These lures may mimick the baitfish living in the USA quite well but can be of little use in the UK. Also remember that the bass swimming around the UK coastline are a different species from those found in the American lakes. When visiting websites selling lures, claims such as "Best lure in the world" should be taken with a pinch of salt as these claims are impossible to prove. Remember the description was probably written by a marketing executive who has never held a rod in his life. Instead use your own instinct and past experience before parting with your cash.
Be sensible with size. The lure should look like potential prey. I have caught very small fish on lures that were bigger than they were and believe this may be due to the lure triggering an attack response rather than feeding one.
Use tackle capable of casting a light weight. a drilled bullet or a barrel lead 2ft up the line can be used to gain extra weight.
When fishing from a high platform point the rod tip downwards to give more natural movement to the lure.
A sink and draw method works best. Cast out let it sink reel in and stop, let it sink and reel in....
Red rubber sandeels are best during the day, Black at night with a full moon.
The best colour for other types varies according to weather conditions and visability, if one colour isn't working switch to another.(see fishing in colour for more details) Keep an eye on other anglers spinning to see which colours are producing on the day.
Spinning is more energetic than bait fishing and your muscles will quickly become fatiqued reducing your casting distance. Don't take too much tackle with you, rest every ten casts or so for a few minutes or alternate between bait and spinning duty with a friend. Drinking a glucose based sports drink can help. Powerlifters often take creatine monohydrate as an energy source for explosive movements. I have tried this and found no difference to distance cast or time for fatique to set in.