How do you guys do when approach running a new to you lake, especially one without marked boat lanes? I try to study contour maps and read up on the lake as much possible. I got super lucky last year not destroying a lower on Tawakoni. Just curious do yall just take it slow, cautious or is there maybe a chip with all Texas lakes on it? Thank you

I ask for any help on how to run these lakes...look for any boat lane type chips...last resort take it really slow and easy. I always seem to run into some ole timers at the ramps that are happy to give you some advice.

I just run and cross my fingers

I will idle any area I think is sketchy

Truth!

I always heard if you cannot see them they aren't there! Yeah ummm nope!

Like others said, homework.

As much as I see people running through areas without a clue and they never wreck... I wouldn't worry too much about it

Read the timber when I can , run the bank when I can’t


And cross my fingers

I tell my partner my boat is broke and we take his new one.

You're in the right spot!

My experience, if there is one piece of info that everyone is willing to share on here it's navigational info. I always check here to ask about best ramps to launch and any hazards, if I don't know the body of water.

Dont hit what you can see

Always look around for boat lane chips from guides (Lance Vick and Tom Mayne are the best) along with any kind of boat lanes that may have been posted on TFF. If there aren’t any ask people who have run the lake or know it, last resort would be taking it slow and running what you think you can. Idling in and out of coves instead of running etc…

Get yourself a fish finder with a lake chip. Run in the river channels when you can. On lower ends of lakes near the river mouth I'll run much slower, sometimes idling when I get out of the river channel.

Seems like most lakes are pretty clear up near the dam.

Just so your clear, lower end is the dam end, upper end is the shallow, river end.

Ask on here about how to run the lake you're going to. I've done it many times and (knock on a GIANT piece of wood) have had no issues thus far.

There was actually a guy on here that was kind enough to help give some direction over the phone using Google Maps/drawing lines while I was on the middle of the lake one time There's good people left in this world that are more than happy to help a feller out!