Well, I've fished a wide variety and dad kept me on crappie when I was a kiddo. Recently retired and have returned to fishing crappie. Given it a real effort, out 11 times out this year. Boy am I frustrated. 6 crappie total and have yet to catch a single crappie from the bank/bridges. The few I caught were out a ways padaling a kayak.

Sometimes I drive to the nearby Lakes (Weiss and Guntersville in AL) and ask around. Lots of folks not catching much though once folks had their buckets full. Another time I watched 2 boats catching 'em but not enough room for me to squeeze in between 'em.

Is catching a mess of crappie more often than not realistic without electronics (baited boathouse or brush piles excluded)?