Thanks for the reply speckanator... Usually when I drift I run at least 4 poles 2 with hooks 2 with jigs. I usually set at different depths all the way to the bottom almost. I have never hooked the minnow through the back always through the lips. But I will be trying that. All my poles have 8 to 12 pound test. Except my 15 foot cane poles have got 15 for fishing the weeds.
I have found one of the best ways to find fish is see someone else doing it and either do what they are doing or come back and fish where they were fishing at a later time. When I first found the crappie.com sight they were having a tournament on lake manatee so we went and fished the tourney and meet Harold there. I knew we wernt going to be any competition but I figured maybe I would learn something. But when we got there everyone was gone from the ramp except Harold so I didn't have a clue where everyone was fishing nor did I see any of the other boats all day. They all caught fish, we caught 1.
At this point I am ready to hire someone and guide me on this lake. Maybe once I figure them out I can apply what I know to other lakes.
I love fishing tourneys and would join you all, but at this point I would just be giving my money away to you guys.