You might also consider going to a catfish farm. You do pay by the pound for everything you catch and maybe a small entrance fee. You can pay a little extra to walk out with filets.
No messing with boat or fuel charges which offsets or is more than the fish cost.
Fishfarm makes their living on you catching fish so you are going someplace with very high likely hood of catching catfish.
Ask the staff where to fish, what to use, .....
Usually have worms and shrimp for purchase there.
Most of the customers are pretty friendly and can give you some pointers about what is working for them.
Get used to catching a few in this environment then go out to the lake where you can add in locating the cats.
When out on the lake if planning to stay in one area, you might consider throwing out one or 2 juglines while you are fishing from the boat checking on them every once in a while. Put in on upside of cove and let drift across while you are fishing.
Following link has very simple and inexpensive jugline setup(could be cheaper by using a gallon jug for float and using rubber bands to hold hooks when not on water.) Bait with blue gill/shad, stink bait, liver, shrimp.
http://www.louisianasportsman.com/details.php?id=10731I usually have one line out under a large cigar float when I paddle my kayak over to check on my jugs and sometimes hook a cat while I am untangling jug, rebaiting or getting my cat off the jugline.
You got a good intro from being out with the guide, now go out and fish.
For a first inexpensive catfishing rod/reel check out the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Catfish Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo at Walmart.
Or for a rod that will work for small cats plus bass, Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo