Just put up a post today about fishing Lake Pontchartrain that has some general tips on how to fish the pilings. Most everything that's already been mentioned is right on, but learning how to pop your bait off the bottom and let it fall back with a controlled drop is a key to feeling the notoriously light-biting trout.
Ditto on talking to Chas.
If you're interested in reading the post, check out
www.evangler.com.