I'm curious how you all go about developing a pattern/finding the right bait to fish. On a new body of water, where do you start and what processes do you use?

First step would be to do some homework before you hit the lake... google maps or maps.live.com will give good aerial views of most lakes. Many times you can spot points, shallows, flats, drop offs, etc. and have a good idea where to go once you hit the lake. From there, the conditions, water temp, season, etc. should determine where you're going to start in terms of techniques. You can start with what "should" be a good technique, and from there, elminate what doesn't work, and stick with what does. That's the basics of developing a pattern.

I know that's a little vague, but getting into specifics is hard because there's so many different factors. If your fishing a drop at 20 feet, you're not going to use the same techniques as fishing a shallow point.

I start with seasonal patterns and presentations, then adjust from there.

Good advice given.

Lake classification and regional location helps to solve questions about the type of prey or baitfish that may be available at the time of year you plan to fish.

If you have a boat and a good sonar unit, can determine the water temperature, the marina or launch ramp area is a good place to survey to determine at what depth the baitfish, if any, are holding. Looking under the docks at the launch ramp can reveal clues to what type of bait fish in the lake.

Checking in at the local tackle store is worth the trip to ask a few questions about the lake.

During the summer period, checking out the dam area and major points is the place I like to start, high % area that I'm comfortable fishing. Good place to start fishing anywhere when you don't know the water is look for something familiar.

WRB    

Catch a few fish on one particular type of cover or structure.  If I can replicate it on the same type of cover or structure in another spot, there's a pattern.

Catch a few fish on one particular type of cover or structure. If I can replicate it on the same type of cover or structure in another spot, there's a pattern.

thanks for the scientific approach!  ;D

Before you leave:

Determine the prevailing pattern due to weather and time of year

Map study, use more than one brand of map

Check internet information

Phone calls to people you know are familiar with the lake

Calls to local tackle stores for any information they have

Check with the corp of enginers or what ever company has control over the water levels

Watch the weather channel for the week before to get an idea of the situations that may be in play

At the lake:

If it is a large lake, pick a section (Upper, Mid, Lower) and try to learn it well. If you have success and decide this is where you intend to stay get on the water early. Stay late and depending on the time of year , fish it well, moving and checking different depths. It may be as simple as picking out a large cove several miles in length and width or moving across the lake and starting over in another entirely different area.

Developing a pattern is nothing more than removing unproductive water from your search area. When you get bit examine all the reasons why, what type of cover, depth, creek locations, etc., and then go try to find another spot that resembles it. See if you can get bit there. You may develope a half of dozen spots where it is possible to get bit, but you also may fish these other areas and not get a bite. You may want to change the timing of the time of day that you fished the other spots to see if they will produce better early, mid day, or later.

If you bomb, start looking at the other parts of the lake and go fish them. If you started mid lake you may want to concentrate in the upper portion the next day or the lower section, depending on the external factors that are at work during your stay. It just means you have to start over and pick a section, fish it, and keep moving until you find the fish and figure out what it takes to make them bite.

Sooner or later you will find a few and then you have to go about figuring out the best way to make them bite. If you are having fish follow the lure, swirl on it, or have them hooked on the rear treble, a change is in order. It may be a simple, minor color change, or you may need to go to a larger, smaller, or a completely different type of lure and/or presentation.

It's hard work that requires time on the water.

Good luck

X2 what fishfordollars said 

When trying to figure out a pattern I always fish the high % areas and the depths for the time of year it is first.

Once I catch a fish I always take note of the depth first and then I look at the bank and try to find banks that are sloped just like the one I caught fish on. 

It may not be the tell-tale pattern finder but it's a great starting point.

I fish using the methods I like,  topwaters , cranks, worms.  I fish the likely areas and some unlikely ones.  The bass will tell me where they are hanging out and what they like.  Unless things catch fire, I'll experiment with different baits and areas. 

Once I catch a fish I always take note of the depth first and then I look at the bank and try to find banks that are sloped just like the one I caught fish on.

I like this. Simple.

First thing on a new body of water is find the side the wind is blowing on and start there. From there, I find areas that have deeper water adjacent to shallow and to isolate the "highways" of the lake.

I like to throw a bottom bait of some kind immediately to get a good idea of the bottom contour and structure available on an area I've never been in.

Above all else I try to be neighborly and courteous to the other fishermen I see and share information with them. The greatest resource any body has is its fishermen. 

I think one of the best ways to learn to pattern fish is to start by studying the in-fisherman approach. It gives you a strong starting point and gives to steps to define what the fish were doing.

To develop a pattern you must answer each one of these topics:

Seasonal Pattern

Area of lake

Depth

cover

lure

retrieve

so on

Each of these push you closer to an answer. The top ones of easy and broad to define. Seasonal Patterns will cut down on where to look. Such as in Spring when to fish are moving toward the backs of pockets and in summer when they move toward current and mainlake areas.

The area of the lake is important becasue each area could have different attributes

Remember that 90% of fish are in 10% of the water. So once you catch a few in a depth then you should focus solely on that depth. once again reducing areas to look. Next find the most productive cover and lure and then find out when it is best. I firmly believe in this method and follow it strictly.

Mottfia