If you are fishing a different body of water for the first time, how do you use your graphs? I just upgraded this spring to quality graphs and wanted to know the best way to use these new "tools". I mainly fish for bass and have always been a bank beater bc of my cheaper graphs, but now I would actually like to use the new stuff to it's capabilities.

So how do you guys use them, and does it differ for crappie as for when fishing for bass?

I find fish and try to catch them--- works occasionally:

Wayne, you throwing them big lead weights at people when they get too close

LOL, those are my blade bait knocker loosers.

They are tools to find fish or find places that might hold fish.
First thing is the map. I will use the Navionics site to identify areas that look "interesting". Points, drop offs, large flats, etc.. I also use Google Earth to identify grass beds or docks or other features visible in the water.
I create way points and import them into my Humminbirds.
When I hit the water I check those spots out with side imaging to see what is there. Weed lines, brush piles, rocks piles, etc. are all visible with side imaging. I look for fish on these spots. Then I fish.
That's where the advice ends.....sometimes the best laid plans go awry when the bait hits the water.
Some days the ignorance of pre-electronics was at least an excuse. It can be frustrating to see all of those fish and none are biting.
I only fish for bass so I'm not sure how different it is for crappie. I have been tempted to try the huge stripers I see in 60 ft of water. I just don't have the gear to take on a 30 lber.

Ditto Rickmb. I do exactly the same thing. Some times it pays off and sometimes the fish just don't bite.

I use the graphs the same on every lake. If you are going to a new lake or one you have never been on, then it is good to study a map of the lake before you get there to choose the best areas you want to fish, then use your electronics to find the fish.