Not much you can add to that but here's my .02 cents.

You definitely need to be on the water at the earliest time you can. The fish are very active at night during the summer and the darkness allows them to feel a little more secure about going into the shallows to feed. If there is cloud cover or fog that will extend the length of time you will be able to target these fish. I think for a begginer I would start you off with a chrome colored type of Pop-R or equivilant and then the previous posts instruction for working the bait is good advice as I've heard. If your interested E-mail me and Maybe I can get you out on Cachuma if that's not to far a drive and I'll give you some on the water instruction.
Kelly