I don't soak crappie only other types of fish if they have a strong taste. Crappie are naturally sweet and mild.

I cook on 350 for 3 minutes or until it floats. Hardly ever go past 3 minutes unless its a really thick or whole fish. I use buttermilk as a wash or regular milk and occasionally hotsauce if I'm cooking for myself.

On an eggwash you want 1 egg per half cup of milk and dip em in before coating with batter.

Thats it, can't add much more cause I've cooked thousands of fish and never had much of a problem if the oil is dead on 350 and never crowd the fish in the pot.