I have been trying to go about 1.5 mph. Much slower and the rod tips don't show a lot of vibration from the baits. Have not tried anything except little bandits. They are fairly cheap and supposed to have great action at the slow speed. After looking at the other state boards, the guys that troll crank baits a lot use the bandits. Still expensive when you loose 4 or 5 a weekend, but we all know crappie love structure. If I pull across a sunken tree, I may get hung on one bait, but good chance I will catch a crappie as well. Grizzly jig is the cheapest place I have found the little bandits. If you buy I think 5 or 6, you can get them for $4.99 I think. Must have colors are pink and black. I would have never thought it, but both great colors for crappie. I have also done well on the cats and perch with the natural silver colors.