what kind of areas should I look for when trying to find spawnig beds or even just general areas that blue gill like to hang out?

shalllow areas especially around some brush or overhanging trees have always been good for me.

Large BG, like most predators, follow the food....smaller BG tend to look for areas they can hide in that offer some protection from predation and at the same time provide a food source.

In my experience, spawning BG look for what they consider ideal bottom conditions where they can make nests and aren't so much looking for food or avoiding becoming food.