A decent spinning rod and fixed spool reel are cheap enough to pick up for less than £35.
For lures try standard toby spinners, as heavy as your rod can handle, vary your retrieve rate fast, slow, jerky smooth.
Also try a bubble float controller with a latex sandeel on it or a colourful jelly worm.
As for marks - Bass are fish that will wander from spot to spot and most anglers have their favourite spots and usually won't give them up - but last year was hard going for me and my mate we managed 3 between us all year.