Fished a 15 acre lake today(a 12lber came out of there this past spring) and couldnt buy a bite :'(. Just couldnt put anything together.And have not idea as to the structure, cover, or creeks and no defined points really. Not much visible cover, really weird bottom contour as fair as i could tell with crankbaits, my anchor rope, and dropping a jig down a foot at a time, also felt very little cover on bottom..Water temp was between 48 and 50 degrees.. Lake ranged anywhere from 2 ft to 20ft just within a 2 acre cove. Didnt realize I had became so dependent on the electronics on my bassboat,maps,  docks, and defined main and secondary points. Any tips on figuring out new small water without having spend the $ on a fishfinder?

I spent the last 18 years standing on the bank of many small ponds and lakes. The first thing to do is stop thinking of depth in terms of feet. Think of it in terms of "seconds of fall" or how long it takes a bait to reach the bottom. Count down how long it takes your lure to reach the bottom. I spent countless hours dragging a heavy C-Rig or Jig along the bottom of lakes, making mental notes of dept and drop-offs, brush piles and rock piles, points and humps. It just takes some concentration and some practice in visualization and you shouldn't have any problem finding what you are used to seeing on your electronics.

You also have to look at the bank, if there is an irrugularity like a roadbed or the bank runs out there is probably a long point in that area. For bottom contour I use a carolina rig or a jig dragged across the bottom.

Since I've just got back into fishing this past year most of my outings have been to a couple ponds on my brother in law's property.  In addition, I don't have a boat, so I only fish from the bank.  I have the same "problem", not knowing what the depth is, what cover (if any) is available, etc.  My best results have come with a split shot c-rig, with a slow, steady retrieve, or a stop and go, twitching retrieve.  Most hits, and fish landed, were fairly close to the bank (say within 30 ft or less).  Have caught quite a few 2, 3 and 4 pounders with this.  Also have had success with some Storm swim baits, mostly out in the middle part of the water.

Appreciate the views/input of others who fish the same types of waters... and Happy New Year to all!

TC

Years ago I met a guy who taught me the same technique for mapping out an area of water. Hook up a C-rig and "feel" your way along the bottom. I also use a spinnerbait to count down and slow roll the bottom for a quicker search. But with the spinnerbait you have to make a mental note to stay in contact with the bottom.  

You could also take a crankbait that you know how deep it goes and figure out where it stops touching the bottom and draw you a map and mark it. Between the carolina rig and a crankbait if you spend the day maping the bottom the next time you fish it you can figure out exactly whats in it and where to fish.

I float tube a couple large and small ponds that I know hold 9+lb fish.For me it is more of strutcure fishing then it is knowing whats on the bottom.I have fished these place for many years and at least 90% of my fish have come on the structure or islands in the the ponds.I will fish all timber(russian olives)and hit all stick-ups I can find.With the water at 45-50 I would be using pig&jigs(black&blue)with a trailer or a junebug brush hog.

Don't feel bad. I went out New years day and blanked as well fishing from the bank.  Very cold water temps and I didn't have a lot of confidence in the water I had chosen to fish. This time of year can be very, very tough for fishing.

You don't need to know anything about small bodies of water except when they were originally stocked, how they were stocked, who stocked them and if there are still big fish in that body of water. You can't catch 'em if they ain't there. But if there are good size bass in the pond or small lake, you need to fish EVERY square inch until you eliminate a few areas that just never produce. In a small body of water, bass, especially big bass are forced to troll the entire pond in search of prey. Sure, structure and cover are important, but not like you would expect on big water. I assure you, big bass can be found almost anywhere in small water. That doesn't make it easy for you, but you can fish it like every cast counts.

My method is this: I select one technique per trip. If it's soft plastics, I'll take several styles, but usually only fish one or two. Otherwise, if I decide it's crankbait time for example, I only fish one lure. There is an opportunity to get better at different techniques by focusing your practice on just one presentation. Over time you will learn a lot about the underwater structure of a pond and this will provide some insight on what to try next. You will catch fish most of the time and have fun with some stuff you just might not have used very much. This works for me and I'm sure it would work for you.

RW, that sounds like great advice, I will definitely heed it when I get back onto those ponds.  Thinking back to my trips last year I realized that I limited myself to only certain parts of the pond.  While it's not that big, I've probably only fished about 50% of the bank.  This will change in the coming months!

As for the fish, I don't know when, how or who stocked them, but I do know they hold fish, at least up to 4 lbs and only LM, as far as I know.

Thanks, TC