As I have mainly ledgered and float fished, this is all new ground to me. They're all lures. Some lures are plugs, some are spinners, some are flies. Try to keep out of sight, move quietly and matt varnish your rod. You will find polaroising specs useful for spotting fish.
Waders are an advantage in many places.
If you cast a long way you will find that many fish hit the lures but are not hooked. Line stretch and bow is the problem. Finer hooks or even singles might help but if it's a shoal of mackerel they may well hit the lure in turn until one of them hangs on.