If you're faced with summer fishing a tournament on a lake you've never been to, or that you don't know well, and you have to run to a spot for a morning bite, what type of spot (that you could find on map) do you try (e.g., rip-rap, point, creek channel, docks, roadbed, pond dam)?

if I had never been on the lake before I would probably look for docks, they hold fish year round.

most maps dont have docks, but Google Earth does

flat close to deep water with some grass or reeds.

Shallow flats, and lots of grass if you are looking for an early morning bite

It's allways good to pre-fish as much as you can, even if its just a few hours the day before...I like to look for big creeks that are near deeper water, I start shallow in the early am toward the back and work toward deeper as the day moves on, focusing on the points and drop offs, channel, pond-pond dam etc.

Pretty general but hope that helps-good luck

shallow grass or shallow brushy pts. creek channels too

rip rap, grass or a windy point

I would definitely try to find some grass for early morning bite.

On a lake I had never been on.........

I would most likely go straight for my deep fish. Points, ledges, roadbeds, etc.

It would be real hard to say though. I wouldnt just go fish a tourney without prefishing and having a plan first. Just not a smart business decision.

Now, if I had a topwater spot on a map, I would look for grass, points, points with grass, windblown is good as well. There are some good answers above.

rip rap in deep water like the dam or main lake bridge, topwater

Dont listen to sinkey run for your life!!!!!!! Just Kidding good advice Sinkey!!!

Main lake point w/ deep water nearby.

That's what I would do on a lake I had never been on. Preferably one with other deep water spots nearby. Start shallow on the point early and move out as the sun comes up. Then you are close to other deep spots when that doesn't produce.

Great suggestions. I agree on the pre-fishing 100%, but sometimes it's just not possible (at least for me), and you still need to take a chance. Either that or lose ground in season points. Thanks!

By the way, I decided that I'll just find a point next to deep water with a rip-rap bank where there aren't docks, that's covered in grass, with a creek flowing over it crossed by an old road.

docks,on a point or near deep water or a channel swing,preferably with grass and/or brush...but that part you wont know for sure til' you get there.bottom line is i think docks are the quickest types of cover to establish/eliminate a pattern.if you work one that SHOULD hold fish,and you dont get bit.time to find something else.