re: just bought my first boat

Honestly bro. It's sounds like you probably need to get either an experienced fisherman to tag along with you on a couple trips and show you some things first hand and in person.

Or

Pony up a few dollars and hire a guide for a trip. You can learn a lot from a guided trip especially if you tell the guide what you are looking to accomplish.

Pontratrain can be a difficult place to fish even for veteran anglers and I am not the best one to give you instruction for that specific location.

Just keep trying to learn and don't give up. Glad to see you looking to bring kids fishing.