James Baz has answered part of your qustion very well I feel. However as to methods, you really need to supply a lot more information about the venue you are fishing. Size and depths of water, is the bottom even how does the bottom develop from the bank, is it very steep or gently sloping. What features does your water hold, islands bars, gulleys, what is the bottom like. Are there overhanging trees, lilly pads etc. The more information you can provide the easier it will be for people to help you.
If you don't know the answers to the above tha would be a very good place to start.