The one technique that helped me get into bass fishing was the good old texas rig.
About 4 years ago i went camping and they had a fishing pier so I brought my fishing poles. I did not catch anything I was using some beef jerky as bait and I tied a simple overhand knot. So as I am walking back to my camp site an old man ask if I caught anything. I said that there must not be any fish there, cause who will pass up beef jerky. He told me what I was doing wrong, Taught me the palamor knot, gave me some hooks and worms, and taught me how to fish it.
I wish I could to this man again and thank him.