J.R.:

Look at this link for the sand beach idea and note in the thread another link by Theo to the "Beach Sand" thread.

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000127#000003

BG and RES are colony nesters but a few spawn alone. I don't know if the ledges are big enough for a colony of BG/RES beds. Bass may spawn on the ledges amongst the lilies.

Here is a good link to a discussion about gravel which I think you should read before spending a lot of $. Some is good -- don't have to have it-- and get the right size , not uniform sized pea gravel but a little bigger. I use road gravel (dime to half dollar sized).

http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000124#000005