What techniques would you recommend for someone that is first starting out.

My son and I started really fishing this fall. So far our go to is a Texas rig and trolling a crank. Want to become more confident with a wider range of things. Where would you start ?

First things first, there are always fish to be caught in shallow water. So I recommend you go buy some spinnerbaits or squarebills and go fish shallow water. Cover water until you catch fish, because when you catch fish, your confidence level goes up. Maybe pick up a buzzbait or two. Start out with something that only requires reeling, nothing more. You said you're familiar with a Texas rig, maybe try a flipping jig. There's no wrong way to fish a jig. Have fun with it.

Shakey head and drop shot

First off, I 100% agree with starting shallow, I started my son off with a smaller swimbait, like a Reaction Innovation Skinny Dipper on a weighted hook, just skin hooking the hook for an easy hookset...it worked well not getting hung around grass and wood, and he caught several fish on that setup. Another good option is a swimjig with either a small swimbait or craw for a trailer. From there a drop shot also catches a lot of fish, so depending if the shallow bite gets tough, you have another option for catching numbers of fish if you decide to move a little deeper. If you do just find a few good drop offs where your mapping contours are stacked closer together or a good channel swing and have fun.

DROP SHOT LEARN THE BASICS YOU WILL CATCH FISH YOU NEVER KNEW WERE THERE

I got my nine year old son more into fishing and he usually throws a shaky head and seems to do pretty good. If you want to throw something with some more action a rattle trap is easy to fish and get bite with.

Spinnerbait

Spinnerbait or squarebill.

I've worked a spinner up in some coves a few times, but have only put one fish in the boat using a spinner. I try lip-less rattles equally as much as Texas rigging but have much better luck with the Texas rig.

got a few squarebills in the tackle box but guess i haven't figured out the right time/place to use them.

Everyone has some great responses with the spinner bait and the other methods mentioned above. I would recommend a wacky rig. It can be easily fished on a spinning reel so makes it easy casting, it can also be rigged on a weedless finnese hook. It can be thrown and reeled in, but also fished other ways as needed. You don't have to rig it up on a senko, you can use any soft plastic from worm style, tubes, creature, etc...Good luck and hope this helps.

Spinnerbaits, try different retrievers, slow, fast, yo-yo.

Pop-r topwater fishing. Twitch it slowly, leave it sitting still longer than you do anything with it. Just remember, set the hook on feel and not sight.

Tough question. Go with a technique that will produce results to keep you and your kid into it. Square bills don't require a lot of thought. My 2 most producing baits were squarebills and senko on shaky head. Crazy though I haven't gotten a shaky head senko bite in a while.

Just work squarebills down the shore line of coves , or down the center of the cove? or both

same question for spinners

Topwater-- frog
Sub surface-- fluke, senko
Middle of water column--small weedless swimbait on a weedless underspin
Bottom--Crig

I chose lures that are fun to fish and difficult to get snagged (ok, c rig might not be for everyone and can get stuck)

The more fun and less time getting hooks out of timber/rock the more likely he will continue to enjoy fishing

Senko and shakey head.