Deep water structure is critical. Don't underestimate its potential especially if you bring it up to within 4 ft of the surface. We did xmas trees + oak limbs structures (Ray Scott method) in 15 ft water up to abut 3 ft from the surface. Feeder was set to throw on top of the structure. HSB congregated there and ate pellets and ambushed shad all year. 75% of the HSB we caught came from those spots. LMB would hold on those structures for year-round fishing moving up and down depending on water temp. Many hours watching the Aquaview camara showed the results. You should make use of the entire pond and not ignore the deep parts. No question that bottom contours are a large part of the equation but added material on those contours make the difference.