....finding the depth that the fish are using at any given time?

I would say with the fish finder. Thats about the only way I have been able to find them. One thing I started doing a while ago is watching the depth finder more. I usually fish one chain of lakes 90% of the time. What I started doing when I was done fishing is watching the bottom on the way in. Before I would finish up and blow across the water heading home. Now what I do is fast idle in different areas looking to see where the fish are. I might not always just idle in, but I will pick areas close to where I am fishing and take a good look before I take off. I just take note of water temp, air temp and time of day and year. Just doing this simple thing allowed me to find an area in the water that was holding fish last year. I have fished this lake since I was a kid and if not for looking a little before I leave, I would have never known about that area.

If I've got my fishfinder on board, then I use it. BUt I think that's an obvious answer.

If not,  I use something like a crankbait or soft bait and use it at different depths til I get a hit. If I get a couple hits say 5 feet down for example, then I guess that's where they're sitting.

I don't so much look for individual fish at first. I start out looking for schools of bait fish. I pay attention to the depths that the baitfish are using and key on areas where structure intersect those depths in areas that are seasonal specific. (Ie. Summer time would be main lake points and humps as would winter. Fall and spring would be more in creeks and coves.) Second method that I use is to I.D. the thermocline depth as almost all fish will be at or above this depth in warm water. Then I approach it the same way.

Water temperature and water clarity....!

I start with seasonal locations and work from there.

Use your map to find the best looking area's. Then your depthfinder to find the structure. You will then find fish.

If you do not have a fishfinder use a map and find likely spots then use crankbaits that dive to each different depth and when you catch them on a 8ft. diving crankbait they are probably holding at 9 feet.

Nick

What if they wont bite a crankbait? What if the only thing they want is a Jigging spoon and you have no way of telling they are there anyway?

Listen to alot of bass pros. They don't care if fish show up on their depth finder. They will still fish the spot. What they look for is structure and bait. They fish it with 3 or 4 different baits and move on.

Seek and Destroy its the best method for finding bass.

Relate your depth search by, time of year, water clarity, structure, water temp, body of water and weather.

Experience is the best tool you have.

I start off with the thermal cline I figure out where its at right before I even take off to a spot. Next is surface temp and time of the year. Ph meter is helpful too. Then how clear the water is and weather. Then its just a matter of finding cover or structure that fits the situation. Plan B go fish and find them.

Nick

What if they wont bite a crankbait? What if the only thing they want is a Jigging spoon and you have no way of telling they are there anyway?

Listen to alot of bass pros. They don't care if fish show up on their depth finder. They will still fish the spot. What they look for is structure and bait. They fish it with 3 or 4 different baits and move on.

Seek and Destroy its the best method for finding bass.

Relate your depth search by, time of year, water clarity, structure, water temp, body of water and weather.

Experience is the best tool you have.

Okay,lets say it's March 1st,45 degrees(air temp),sunny,water only slightly stained,water temp is 47 degrees and you are on a deep lake.Channels are 80-100 foot deep. What is your strategy to that scenario?

Ernel/Eric is right on the money. He can fish in my boat.

Bud

Why thankee Bud.

All honesty id still be sitting at home cause there is ice on my lakes.

OR id be sitting at home till about noon then if i got the fishing bugg.

Id go beat main lake points all after noon preferably points that meet with the channels

Id throw a Carolina rig jig and a big crankbait possibly a suspending jerk bait (i dont throw them much)

If the points didnt work id go find me a bluff bank in the creek channel and id start dropping baits right down the side of it.