very, very basic question.

Right, I used to fish a bit in lakes/rivers when I was a kid. It was very easy: just a spinner at the end of the line - cast it out and reel it in at a reasonable rate.

Now that I am a bit older I want to get into fishing (I want to try shore angling this time). I got a rod. I got feathers, and hooks, a float and weights. In theory I know how to fish - from what I remember and from what I have researched on the internet.

But I cannot find directions on how exactly to use the different types of bait/lures. i.e. Do I just throw them out and wait? Or do I reel in?

I guess with a float I just cast it and wait. And probably the same with a baited hook. But what about feathers? Do I use them like I used to use spinners? Cast out, reel in, repeat?

This stuff is so basic that no one seems to even think of mentioning it! Any advice would be great, or any nudge in a direction where I could find more information. Thanks!

feather and weight are for spinning, chuck it back and reel it in, often in an irregular fashion.
on a clear brigth day (they do happen apparently) try to bump the lead off the bottom, or keep it just above if its snaggy. On cloudier days you can fish higher up in the water column.

Fish an incoming tide, nearing dusk, preferable close to HW

FWIW

Great, thanks for the information!