your standard earth worm thats what I used to use put it on the hook like a sock and they will inhale the hook. small curly tail rig works too happy fishing.
The only thing you need is a small hook and wonderbread
Wonderbread works wonders
it doesn't fall off the hook (just roll it into a tiny ball and bait the hook with it)
and it tastes good, so after you're done fishing, just eat the leftover bait!
Waxworms, meal worms, red worms and any worms you dig up in the back yard will be good for sunfish, bass and catfish too. Some can be great aquarium fish and I hate to be the one to tell you this but since you live in Calif. you should know that it's illegal to transport LIVE fish you catch while fishing, just so you know...
I dunno if my pond is understocked or what i have only been able to catch a baby bass today in 1 hour I used the 1 inch grub. Maybe the grub dont have a taste so the fish doesnt like it? I'll try shrimp and beef jerky next. I'll also go dig my yard for worms