I fish oxbow lakes off the white river mainly. Regular crappie jigs and minnows jigging or casting some. I know timber is good but I just don't have much luck catching once in a while I will catch a few
Then, my first suggestion would be to get one ... even a cheap one, so that you can at least have an idea of the bottom depth. If funds don't allow that ... purchase the best map of that body of water, that is available, and use it to find the areas where the fish would likely be, given the seasonal movements of the fish.
If a map isn't available, look for standing trees, fallen trees, docks, pockets off the main lake banks, pea gravel banks, bridge pilings, etc. Anything sticking above the waters surface has some portion of it under the water. That creates shade, cover, a current block, an orientation spot, and/or an ambush point.
It might also help if you name the "new" body of water that you're interested in, what body of water you normally fish, what general equipment you have (boat, rod lengths/types), and what method(s) you are most familiar with using. Knowing that, we're more likely to be able to point you in the right direction, rather than just giving you general suggestions.
You might also want to post the same question on the state forum of the state in which this body of water is in, and maybe hook up with someone who fishes there, or possibly attend an event that members have on that body of water.
... cp
I fish oxbow lakes off the white river mainly. Regular crappie jigs and minnows jigging or casting some. I know timber is good but I just don't have much luck catching once in a while I will catch a few
Post some over on the ARK board and I am sure you will get some help and tips
I have spent most my life fishing........the rest I wasted.
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
PICO Lures Field Rep
with about 30 yrs of crappie fishing I have never fished a lake without some kind of finder all the way back to the flashers. Its a must for me and has paided what ever it cost many times over is big catches. Offshore structure pays big.