Yes!
Basically you can do all the things you just stated. When fish are biting slow you try and set as close to motionless right over them as you can. When they are more agressive you can troll forward over and around cover. or if you were working stump fields you could do the above or simply set back and drift with the wind. The main thing is to position your boat so the baits are cover a wide swath and not being pulled over the same ground (unless thats what your after.) Like I said everything you stated is possible.
That being said I like casting better. I like pin pointing the fish and I love feeling the thump of a crappie hitting. But spider rigging can be productive but also frustrating when a strong breeze knocks you around and causes you to tangle 6 or 8 rods!
Old Guide
Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.