Hi Darren I think the best advice I can give you is to just keep it simple for the time being. Not wanting to sound rude but to be honest I suspect your biggest problem is probably one of attitude.
With all branches of angling like many sports and pastimes you improve by working at it. Finding out what depths and features you have out in front of you by plumbing may be a bit of a pain, but it is part and parcel of sucessful angling.
Carp, bream, tench, gudgeon, and barbel for example are all fish that generaly feed on the bottom of lakes and rivers. If you dont know what depth of water you are fishing in how can you be sure you are fishing on the bottom?
I would use your current tackle for what it was designed and float fish for those carp. Plumb your depth and find the correct depth to present your bait on the bottom, then add 3-4 inches. Place your last shot that distance form your hook so you have 3-4 inches of line lying on the bottom, space the rest of your shot neatly and evenly down the remainder of the line. This is a common used rig to catch bottom feeding fish and is usually refered to as laying on.
Most important of all keep quiet and be patient.