I've been fishing along the sides of the lake I fish at.I've fished open water once or twice but i get nothing. the lakes around 13 feet deep. When and how should i fish open water? ;D

when your fishing open water cranks and jerkbaits usally work best and you need to make sure there is some sort of structure on the bottom

I think it depends on the time of year for open water, along with the kind of structure.  In my home lake the bass are gearing up to relate to the huge shad balls that will form around the end of the month.  They relate heavily to the shad so the bait is the key.  Other times I really like to hit a drop off or creek channel for good open water fishing.

Summer and winter are the best seasons to be fishing deep, open water. Try a deep crank, carolina rig, or a drop-shot rig. And like mmhmmh said you have to be sure there is structure on the bottom

Hope this helps