for what it's worth ... I used to never go to GRL until around the 3rd week of April. Caught most fish in less than 5ft of water. Usually throwing 1/16oz Chartreuse marabou Roadrunners right against the bank ... around the Island and the banks from Emerald Isle Marina around to the state camp grounds.
If you're catching small fish deep, did you try any shallow banks ?? It doesn't take much wood for the Crappie there ... even a stick or the top of a stump that's leveled off with the bottom of the lake is enough. Water temps still have to go up 6-8deg's, before they'll start seriously bedding ... so you still have time to get to the better sized fish.
All this rain and cooler weather is doing, is delaying them from coming in "early". And don't worry about the rise in water level ... they'll bring it back down in less than a week, unless they get another couple of inches of rain. (GRL is only 2.5ft above Summer Pool)
At least it isn't as bad as Taylorsville Lake ... almost 23ft above Summer pool The Crappie spawn is probably going to be a washout, there, this year. Even at a drop rate of 1ft/day ... it's going to be 3 weeks or longer, before the water is back down to pool. And that's without any more rain, during those weeks. Just don't see it happening, there.

... luck2ya, if you go to GRL !! (and keep the reports coming !!)

... cp