Check the water timp. The kind of fishing your taking about will not get good till the timps get to 60 . Right now look for shallow flats about 6 to 8 ft deep look for shad if the shad are there the crappie will be there . It's best to use a float right now . You will do better trolling right now in creeks but it sounds like that's not you think hope this helps. What lake you fishing this well help use help you.