BabySam........I feel strongly that minnows will work, maybe even better than long-lining if the fish are fairly tight on the brushpiles. All I do is pretty much long-line, that's why I use this technique. Locate trash in 15 to 20 FOW and there should be some fish close by.........Crooked Creek and Sandy Run are toward the upper end of the river closest to Lake Oconee. You should be able to find it on any map. I feel like if you fish an area of the lake that you are familiar with, you should have good luck as well. The crappie really relate to structure this time of year until the water gets cool enough to spread them and the baitfish out. Please let us know how you do.