Follow your thoughts, trying different things is what will get you hooked up with fish. That will also make fishing (it is really hunting) so much fun! Be carefull getting too many lines too close together though, but in the summer I have baits 10 feet apart when bobber fishing for them while working a weedline. Pike are usually nearby areas that people are catching panfish and they are usually on patrol looking for those fish.
And when you find things that are working, get back to this site and pass it along. All the ingredients of making lifelong friends. 8)