look for  structure, gutters,holes,bombies etc  check tides  moon phases etc,  and talk to ppl fishing  tht  area  or  just  chat  with other fisherman,

dawn and dusk an hour  or  so  either  side of  a  high  tide  i  find  is  best  for  fishing,

ive been catching  jack s**t  atm aswell ahaha  thts  why  its  fishing  not  catching :p

I find it is helpfull to look for differing colours in the water within your casting range. Weed banks can help you pick up some of the smaller fish - or use fresh squid if you can get it in the shallows to pick up some sand whiting then use these fresh premium baits and flick them out into the gutters or into the crags and reefs. I have seen some strange things including Dhu caught off the beach between Bunbury and Busselton on the right day with the right bait.

Honestly I find the best way to get to know a area is to swim it.  Get out there in a mask and snorkel and have a look - get to know what your looking at as a fisherman. Divers have a different perspective of what they fish.

If you cant do that then its just time. you have to get to know where to put your bait for the fish your aiming to catch, no point fishing for sand whiting in weed or squid in massive sand patches...

Hope that helps a little....