Planning First Time on Toledo Bend

Since I don't know anything about the area, I am planning on going to Fin and Feather. If there are less expensive places chime in. I have purchased the Boat Lanes software and am assuming that will keep me off the stumps and in the boating lanes? I am somewhat concerned about the ability to run the lake but a lot of people do and I hope this helps me.
Since I know nothing as to where to fish, do I go north or south to find some fish. A pretty long time back, 30 years or so ago, I recall an area called Indian Mounds was a good area, Is that still holding true? I don't need your secret gps locations but a general area would help me out a lot. After a 30 year layoff from fishing, I recently purchased a boat and some electronics and I must say they have come a long way from the old paper graph that I had. Any suggestions are most welcome.
Thanks

I will say that Indian Mounds, Housen, and Six Mile have been beat to hell I would avoid them but thats just me. I had way better luck in the 18-25 foot range than I did on the bank. The banks have been beat up and continue to be. If you find some good hay grass that boats can not get behind you should punch it and be slow about it like get it through and work it in the same hole for a bit. But like I said getting off the banks to me right now is way better fishing.

If you are staying at Fin and Feather - which is a good place to stay - you will have access to plenty of fishable water within 5 to 15 minutes boat rides. FnF is in Hausen Bay and Indian Mounds is a short ride north of there. These areas are extremely popular and too crowded for me personally but a lot of good fish come from these areas. Once you are on the water and actually see these areas you will have your choice of fishing. Last week in Hausen fish were being caught off shore and on the bank. Just do what you like to do and if you are good enough at it then you will catch enough fish to have had a good week.

The Boat Lanes trails and the buoys are not always in alignment which gives some guys quite a bit of stress. Buoys can move and are sometimes moved on purpose due to logs moving around. Hausen and Indian Mounds are two of the easiest areas on the entire lake to get around but still use caution.

Check out emerald-cove.net

I've stayed there and it was just what I was looking for. It is in the middle of the lake. Have their own boat ramp and fish cleaning station too. Fishing traffic was low. A little known gem if you ask me. Prices were very reasonable. Don't know about Fin and Feather but have heard good things about it just can't compare prices and such since I haven't been there. Good luck.

Shad spawn early over grass or haygrass then crig points and ledges on the flats

Fished a tourney there 2 weeks ago. Bass were spawned out. People were dragging carolina rigs on points. My partner did catch an 8 flipping the grass in a cove in 6 mile and she was a skinny tall girl. We had 7 foot swells. Wear your Cowboy hat. Yee Haw!

No way all the fish are spawned out yet. Too big a lake. Was there a few days last week. Fishing was good. Caught plenty up shallow. Biggest was 7-8lbs. Fun trip.

That is what we were told by a local after the tournament who lives on the lake and who fishes 2 circuits. We came from North Texas where water temps were 58 to 61. We saw 69 at TB. We fished for spawning fish and caught one female who was spawned out. Maybe they havent all spawned out everywhere, you are right about that. The tourney was won on main lake points.

They are still spawning its just real hard to see them seen alot on beds last week. There is alot that are done and moved out.

They always spawn on Toledo until may just have to know where to find them. Elite series was won in may sight fishing but that was when water was much cleaner. Best bet is following shad spawn or post spawners off the bank

I've also never been on the lake and curious, if the trails and buoys are not aligned, which do we follow more closely? Thanks for the feedback!

Typically its only 1 buoy out of line. If it doesn't show on navionics that it should be there, don't veer off just for 1 buoy. TX side has the most issues, which aren't many. La has it marked well

DEFMP - I had assumed you bought the Lance Vick Boat Lanes chip/data. If you did not then please ignore the following.

There are 3 or 4 areas between 6-Mile and Indian Mounds that have some issues. Sometimes it is one buoy as JL mentioned and other times it is not. On the Texas side the buoys are not always real close to one another and seeing them with sun in your eyes or heavy wave chop can make them harder to see. I do not want to be the guy that told you to follow the boat lanes chip and to disregard the buoys but I trust GPS/Mapping (and my trails) more than something (buoy) floating in the water when I am in unfamiliar territory regardless which lake or river I am on.

Bottom line is that the lake is at or near full pool and the fishing areas being discussed are some of the easiest areas on the TX side to navigate.