What is the strategy for picking a spot on a lake when bank fishing? I can pick apart a river or creek with ease but have had minimal success on Lewisville and Grapevine. Lewisville fished a windy rocky point and caught 1 in 3 hours with 2 rods, Grapevine fished the cliffs by Katie's Wood park with the wind in my face and caught 2 in 5 hours with 4 bites on 3 rods. If I go somewhere new how do I pick out a good spot?

Thanks!

Eric.

What are you using for bait?

I usually fish with shad facing into the wind like you said. The windier the better. Have always done better in parts of the lake with a muddy bottom rather than a sandy bottom. Don't know if that makes much of a difference, but just what I've noticed.
Structure seems to help. I prefer to fish right outside of stumpage rather than cleared areas.

I like to use multiple baits of cut shad, liver, and dough balls to see if one is working better that day. About 1/2 the time I don't bring my throw net so just use the other two.

Bring your cast net. Find shad the night before around a lighted area/boat ramp if you can. Fish North around 380 bridge on the west arm the next morning and fish shallow bushes in 2-5 ft of water when a good south wind (10mph+) is coming across the lake. This Saturday looks pretty decent to go with about a 7-10 mph SE wind. Leave those other baits at home.
Also fish around 3 to 4 rods if you can with some rod holders that stick in the ground.

Eric

I fish from a man made wind break (like a jetty) beside a boat ramp. I picked the spot because it is a natural haven for tons of bait fish, and on one side or the other is a wind break where they hang out. (I fish the windy side and catch bait on the calm side.) Also important is it has a large area of swallow water under 6 feet with water dropping off to over thirty feet, and lots and lots of cover of different kinds.

In short, find an area that fulfills as many needs the fish have as you can and they will be there. They won't bite everyday but they will often. I like using shad or bluegills at least 4-6 inches long, and up to ten. Over 10-12 inches I cut into 2-3 pieces depending on girth. I don't like using anything but live or fresh cut bait because you get lots of small cats on dough bait worms etc. But then again I catch and release almost all my fish and really only fish for fun. If you are filling a freezer use smaller shad, dough, worms, and I think beef liver works much better than chicken liver. Cut it into strips and never tear it. You can find it in the market freezer sliced.