Catfishing is easiest from the bank, bass not so much. For bass, the water will have to get relatively deep in a short distance with some underwater cover (submerged tree, rocks, bulky debris, tall grasses, etc) for them to hang out around. Toss plastic worms on a Texas rig, let them fall around the cover, jig it a bit. You'll be doing a lot of casting and reeling. For catfish, find a point at the shoreline and cast it out as far as you can. I use chicken livers for bait, but it's a tad tricky to keep in on the hook. Using circle hooks (size 5/0 should work), put the liver on the hook (in the bend of the hook, no need to hide the barb) and use elastic thread to keep it on the hook. You can get the thread from Walmart in the fabrics section. All you do is start at the eye end of the hook and start wrapping it tightly around the liver and the hook, holding them together. When you've wrapped it enough to keep the liver on the hook, just pull the thread until it breaks off. No need to tie it, it will hold. Use a slip rig with about a 1.5 oz sinker so you can sling it out there. Reel until the line is tight, then wait. Best to have rod holders. Use 2 or 3 rods at the same time. Don't be surprised if you catch carp once in a while. You can use those for cut bait if you want, that will stay on the hook better than chicken livers, but I still prefer the livers. Messy but effective.