Hey Ryeguy,
You'll need to check with your state fish and wildlife agency for legality of keeping various fish. In general fish with closed seasons cannot be kept at home, and in some states no game fish may be kept. Also, a fish kept at home may count against your daily possession limit.
A fish kept in a home aquarium may never be released. So, either plan on providing a big enough tank to keep it in for life, or plan on killing the fish when it outgrows your tank. A 40 breeder is fine for a fish up to about 12" long, so it would be good for a typical bluegill for life. A bass would quickly outgrow it; you would need a much bigger tank, probably 200 gallons at least, to keep a bass for life.
Bass and bluegill are tough. You don't need to do anything fancy to acclimate them. Getting the fish out of the nasty bucket or livewell water quickly is probably more important than providing hours to adjust; just don't throw a cold fish into warm water or vice versa. Keeping the tank water clean and well-oxygenated is the most important thing, especially when the fish is first brought home.
Pellets made for cichlids or trout are good diets for bluegill and bass as well. Nightcrawlers, crayfish, live or frozen shrimp, whole fish, and so on are good supplemental foods. Be careful with live feeder fish, as they may introduce diseases to the tank.
Good luck!
