I grew up in Denton, Tx.
There I fished creeks and flooded backwaters in the spring for spawning crappies... every tree stump had a next near to the base and all brush piles held "barn-door" adult fish. These fish seemed to be in 3-4 foot of water mostly.
It is very different "up North" here in MN.
Crappies will pull into bullrushes and stick-ups along the shore... very shallow.. over emergent weeds! These fish are in 1 1/2 of water at times.

Do any of ya'll see this... where the fish seem to be more shallow for spawn, in Northern climates?
Hoggie
Catch-N.com