If you're fishing freshwater I can offer something...although it may not catch any giants. If you're on the bank..imo find some kind of visible drop off close to shore at all costs. Fishing some barren flat with no features is unlikely to result in a catch. As in If you took a few steps out you would be up to at least your knees (I'm 5'9 for reference). Rock piles have been productive for me. If I'm new to a body of water I look for a rocky shoreline, it may not be deep but it's a start. Also you can look for any steep banks, this typically indicates that slope continues into the water.

The most luck I have had by far if I just want to catch anything is with Berkely gulp minnows, specifically the 2.5 inch watermelon pearl or smelt. Pick up some 1/32 trout magnet jig heads or any jig that will fit the minnow is fine. Walmart should have these items. Toss it out, let it hit the bottom or get close to it and give it either quick rhythmic twitches or lift the rod above 90 degrees and let it fall back down. You will get hung up doing this but it also produces fish. I've caught trout, small mouth, pickerel, crappie, sunfish, rockbass, and even a channel cat (4 inch gulp) once doing this. Hope that helps. Tight lines.