I agree with Mr Baker...I do not think braid is the best here....you need some stretch in the line or you will lose too many fish...As for the retrieve....it is different all the time....But as Beagle said get down to the pile and bump it a little ...stop and go....many times that little pause is when they will nail it...Other times when they are real agressive you need a bait that will just get above the pile and keep it coming and they will nail it going by....When you are catchin crappie on cranks they are active....Its a reaction bite so the key is making them angry enough to hit it....Good Luck...