When to throw the irons?

[October]

I was just wondering, is there a a certain time you should throw the iron? Colored? Reflective (i would assume that would be when the sun is high and out)? And whats the typical way to fish them? Cast and immediate steady retrieve?

Im trying to give FW bass fishing a break right now and get into some REAL fishing but its a whole new world. My only salt roots go back to WA state casting out pink buzz bombs from the piers for salmon, and the occasional surf fishing adventures here in CA