I don't use minnows much anymore. Gulp works just as well 90% of the time. I use a tecnique that I've never seen or heard anyone using and it's absolutely killer in shallow water down to about 6'. Need a long rod fast action and your best casting reel spoiled with 6# mono. Use a small wide gap hook and thread on about half a 2.5" gulp minnow. Even the smallest swivel will kill the action so make sure it's on straight or you'll end up with a nasty birds nest in no time. Cast without any bobber or weight and let it sink, jerk jerk jerk sink ect... Similar to working a fluke for bass. Outfishes any artificial or live 1:2 or more nearly every time. My go to and probably produces 90% of my shallow water crappie.