You will be hard pressed to catch bass or trout fro the pier.
For bass, find a bouy marking rocks and fish there. Use worms or crawfish as bait with a spinner, bright green or orange. Cast and troll, or keep reeling in slow.
For trout, find a marshy area. Fallen trees, that sort of thing. Trolling works best, worms for bait, and a shiny spinner, silver or gold.
Fishing in Lake George itself is ok. If you are really pumped for fishing, head to Schroon Lake or one of the surrounding areas that are less populated. The farther north you head the less people. You can also fish Lake George well from Bolton Landing, or the other side (non-tourist side of the lake).
As for a boat, a rowboat will be fine if you're up for it.
Have fun. I'm taking the kids fishing up there in a couple weeks.
mmmmm, bass and rainbow