I listened to Melvin Underhill, longtime guide @ Dutchess Creek /Porum Landing for years and he fished brushpiles every day. He fished them all in progression with only minnows, and stated those crappie are lazy! and wont travel over 30" or less to take a bait. I callenged him to an 8 hour jigs vs. minnows and it was a draw....go figure? He was a great crappie fisherman and I learned alot from him. He said the agressive / active fish hit first and after they slow you might as well move on to the next pile;....good advice.