bass fishing in open water

Question
I have a 3000 acre lake just down the road from my house in southern indiana.It is a cooling resevoir for the power plant so it is man made.It is wide open with only one pennisula and it is protected because of a endangered colony of birds that live on it you are not allowed to get with in a 150 foot of it.the promblem with the lake is there is no cover like stumps or lilly pads,trees or anything it is a big circle of rift raft white rock they have put all the way around to keep the banks from erroting.I know there has to be big bass in there because the water temp stay up year round but how do you find the fish. All my experience is in smaller lakes that have natural cover.here is another promblem there are no shelves at the bottom it is a straight 9 foot drop right off the bank then it goes to about 30 feet. so my question is how do you fish a lake like this. Your help would be greatly appriciated. thank you

Answer
John,
    This is a great dilemma for any fisherman.  With little cover, bass are spread out evenly.  This means catching them can be more than just a pain - as you already know.  If you have access to a depth finder and if a boat is allowed, that would be your best shot at finding suitable structure.  If not, try fishing along the drop off you speak of - especially where the lake bends.  
    There is always some type of cover that bass will relate to... you just have to find it.  It's not always obvious and it's often not even "cover" per say.  Any irregularities will draw bass in open water.  Different patterns in waves can often clue you in on underwater structure as well.  Also, hitting the rip rap rocks in early morning and evening with fast moving lures may often pay off with a strike or two - especially if you find a school.  Patches of stained water will often clue you in to where minnows and other bait fish are feeding along the rip rap.  Also, search for schools of shad and cast imitation shad lures just past them and make a quick retrieve.  Vary your depth each time, but you must be quick to the cast since the school will likely not last long.  
    If you catch bass in one spot, make a note of where, when, and what lure.  Bass will likely be there when conditions are similar.  With a little work at finding a pattern, your fishing success will soon skyrocket.

I hope this helps.  If not, please feel free to ask again.

Sincerely
Chris "Evin" Carter

PS - Very sorry for the delay.  I went on a short fishing and kayaking trip yesterday and the day before.