Cruisers are those fish you sometimes see swimming along just under the surface, away from cover in shallow water. 30 some-odd years of fishing bass has taught me that nothing works on cruisers all the time. The following trick though, seems to be effective more often than anythng else I or any of my partners have tried.
Rig up a 6 lb. test split shot rig with the hook about 18" or 24" behind the shot and a very transparent, subtle, 3" to 4" straight or flat-tailed lure. I choose any of an assortment of lures, 4" weenie worm type worms, flat-tail grubs, etc. Go with a color that almost disappears in the water. Something like clear w/pepper or light smoke, watermelonseed, etc.
Cast well ahead of and past the fish's path, then swim the lure just under the surface, timing it so that the WEIGHT will just enter the fish's sightline 3 or 4 feet ahead of the fish, depending on water clarity — sometimes you need to get it closer, but too close usually spooks those skittish cruisers.
When the weight gets almost in line with the fish's direction of travel, stop reeling and drop the rod tip, letting the sinker fall on a slack line. You'll be amazed how often they follow the tiny sinker down for a better look. When that happens, wait a few seconds. If you see the line move during that time, swing hard. Otherwise, count to 5, then set the hook 'blind'. It's incredible how often the fish that follows the sinker down grabs that little, almost invisible, no-action worm on a slack line when it comes gliding past.