More Questions on bank fishing

[BassNewbie]

Well guys as its currently cold (not that its going to stop me ) i do have more time to reflect on last year (first year fishing ever). And I know where my weak points are right now. Finding the fish.

When i get lucky enough to stumble on a spot the fish are, i dont really seem to have any problem hookem up. But finding those spots are still a big problem for me.

Ive done alot of reading and know about points, looking for cover and structure. But alot of it eludes me from shore. I dont have a boat so I cant cast too far out into the deeper water. I also have no depth finder, so I cant just cruise till I see fish. Also I have no idea what the bottom looks like except for what I can cast too and guess by how the bottom feels.

Ive been skunked my last 6 trips out to various lakes. I think its mostly because the fish are just out deep and I just cant get the bait out that far to them.

But can anybody out there give a ground pounder some more info/tips on fishing from shore. The best I can seem to do is start from a point and cover the area the best I can, then walk to another point, and if I see any good cover on the way try that. But so so far its not working.

I had a good 4 trips in a row right before summer got hot, but once it got really hot out (California here) I have yet to catch a fish all the way till now.

How big a part of it is the presentation of the bait coming back towards shore as oppossed to out towards open water like from a boat? Ive been really thinking of getting into Kayak fishing, but im just the kind of guy who doesnt want to just think a boat is the answer. I want to be able to catch fish from both, since its easier to bank fish with buddies than get convince another to get a kayak too.

Thanks Guys.

Dave