I'm in Hamilton too and got a Binbrook year pass, caught pike, bullhead, carp, bass, black crappie, white crappie there. but also too many time got skunked!
I'm self taught as well (and still learning) with a help from internet but I don't use worms, as they don't target anything specific and will mostly catch small bait fish.
Go to Bills bait and tackle or Fishing world and buy some lures. For bass mister twisters, for pike spoons, spinners. I like Mepp Syclops and Aglia.