This might be a longish one.
So to turn to a lake blind. I guess this will be a long term campain.
I would do the walk round to start with, glasses and the odd climb of a tree if possible.
Then as this being the first of many trips, i would set up in a swim on instinct ( which on occasions has backfired), then have a quick lead around and pick my spots.
When fishing heavy pressured waters i tend to find that my eyes and ears are key, as well as watching the water watching other anglers, where there fishing and what they catch is all usefull info on a first trip. (i dont care what baits or tactics there using i'll find that out for myself at a later date).
Example i fished catch22 for the first time in 13 years a month ago its pick and mix with the swims due to the pressure. i blanked and i had 2 bars in front of me and so did 6 other poeple down that end. But i clocked where all the fish had come out over the 2 days. Once i'd packed up i went for a walk around to have a look ( i hadn't done cause all the swims that end had gone), 20 yards out very thick weed, bumped in to a mate there fished to it, he had 10 fish smallest 25lb to 29lb. So i learnt something about that water even though i blanked.
As for baits on a first trip i would use my fav good food bollie with bags and stringers. The other rod will have corn/maize with my hot choc bread crumb ground bait in a bag. For me this will give me a idea of what else might be in the lake. (or to see what else iam up against). With using pva bags or mesh your not restricted with one spot it allows you to move it about a bit, as on some lakes i've experienced bream at 3 rod lengths come in a bit and your on to the carp etc.
Oh and if there wern't a baiting ban the corn/maize rod would be on a bed of hemp and corn/maize
The second trip is another story