Dana, you really need a confidence booster. Here's what you're gunna do. Don't go spending money on more gear that you're not sure about. Keep what you have now, the braid will be fine. You'll need to find yourself a small quiet lake where you KNOW there are specks. Get yourself some worms, they don't have to be big. If you don't already have spoons, find yourself a few cheap spoons in various colours in the 2.5" to 4" range. You'll need a few snap swivels and some hooks in the 2-8 size range. Remove the treble from your spoons and attach a spoon using a snap swivel directly to your braid. Attach an 18" length of mono to the spoon and then a single hook at the end. Bait that with a piece of worm.
I find it better to attach the spoon to the mainline backwards, fat end closest to the reel. Get out there and troll slowly. You can use a motor or paddle but the motor will give you more time to concentrate on your presentation. Keep a fair amount of line out...100' plus. You'll catch them that way and once you do, then you can start experimenting.
Good luck and let's hear how you do.