Need Advice For Shore Fishing

Hi all, I'm new here and getting back to hunting and fishing after a 10 year layoff. Crappies are by far my favorite fish to eat and catch. I have had two in the past years lost at the boat that would have went 2 pounds plus, but my biggest ever caught was from taylorsville at 15". Here are my questions:

I don't have a boat, but in the future plan on getting a little Bass tracker with a trolling motor, if people would not laugh :)
So, I am going to have to shore fish for a little while starting around march. I live in Louisville and looking for ALL advice, on where to go within a few hours from here.

So, I know fishing the spawn from shore is not too much of a problem, but shore access usually is. I know from the past, fishing Taylorsville lake around Rip rap and wood on minnows on jigs, would usually get me 10-15 keepers averaging 10"+, but this was 10 years ago.

I need to know where the hot spots are within a few hours drive, but shore access and where to go is a must.
Am I only limited to spring/fall to catch them shallow?
Do I have any shot at all in summer/winter?
Any "hidden" lakes like Tom Wallace/Mcneely/Tail waters/Yogi bear parks :)

Last, I know I can rent a boat "green colored" at most marinas for 40-50 a day and know I can hire a guide for the day. But, I can't really afford a lot with the economy the way it is right now. My goal is to have one on my wall about 2.5-3#. Maybe from the shore is unrealistic, but eating them is not.

Thanks, Scott.

Giest Creek in Shelbyville has some shore fishing just off the road that goes to the drive back to the state boat ramp pm me and I can give directions if you don't know where it is. Also they rent jon's at the dock.
fairly easy shore fishing can be had at Miles park off Shelbyville road just past where it crosses Floyds Fork, if you go there go to #4 lake and park there and follow the trails down the the water. When you park you'll see a triangle shaped lake that's #3 don't waste your time there.

Thank you as this is exactly the advice I am looking for, and I'm not out to finding anyone's honey hole, just spots that I can access where I won't be next to 100 people. I did find a map for that park, that I had no idea that existed, maybe you can direct me to the lake from there as there is not a lot of info on that park I can find and the lakes on the map are not marked.

http://www.louisvilleky.gov/NR/rdonl.../Miles_Web.pdf

I've been to guist creek once and rented a boat, nice place to fish. I'll use Google earth to find the shore access, thanks again and maybe others can help as well. I'm already getting pumped just thinking about it. Also, since I am in louisville, pooping over to indiana and getting a license is not out of the question.